Internal-combustion engines – High tension ignition system – Having dwell control
Patent
1997-11-18
2000-09-12
Solis, Erick R.
Internal-combustion engines
High tension ignition system
Having dwell control
123655, F02P 900
Patent
active
061162264
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inductive ignition device for spark plugs of an internal combustion engine, and also to a method for activating a spark plug of an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Inductive ignition devices of the type discussed here are known. They can have single spark coils or can be equipped with an electronic high-voltage distributor. Methods of the aforesaid type are also known. When an internal combustion engine is operating at high speeds, it is often problematic to perform an ionization current measurement. This measurement is the basis on which the combustion characteristics of the internal combustion engine can be monitored. It has also been found that in this operating state, the energy provided for a discharge operation cannot be completely dissipated via a spark plug, but rather that residual energy is present after completion of the ignition operation, which can cause the power dissipation in the ignition device to rise sharply. Attempts have already been made to provide a current limiter in the ignition output stage of the ignition device, or to implement a current limiter by way of primary resistors. In both cases, however, the result is high power dissipation in the ignition output stage or in the ignition coil. Attempts have also been made to decrease the ignition coil energy by reducing the dwell time at high engine speeds. The problem which has occurred here, however, is that sufficient availability of voltage and energy cannot be guaranteed under all operating conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inductive ignition device and method according to the present invention eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above. Provision is made for an ionization current measurement to be made with no need to decrease the available voltage or the secondary initial current that is conveyed to the spark plug. In addition, a "residual energy mode" is avoided in multiple-cylinder engines, even at high engine speeds and even when activation is provided with only one output stage. In the context, at a given energy the spark plugs can be activated with a low initial current, resulting in low spark plug wear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an inductive ignition device, having a single spark coil for each spark plug according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an inductive ignition device having an electronic high-voltage distributor according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an inductive ignition device having an electronic high-voltage distributor according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of typical voltages and currents that can be measured within the inductive ignition devices as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of an inductive ignition device 1 in which there is associated with each spark plug 3 of an internal combustion engine, an ignition coil 5 (also referred to as a single spark coil) that can be activated via an ignition output stage, of which only the activation signal 7 over time, which is sent to a switching device (in this case a transistor 9), is indicated here.
Provided on the primary side of ignition coil 5 is a primary winding 11' which is connected on the one hand to a voltage source (labeled with a plus sign) and on the other hand via transistor 9 to ground. Provided on the secondary side of ignition coil 5, at its high-voltage output 11, is a high-voltage switch 13 which is arranged in connecting path 15 between high-voltage output 11 and spark plug 3. Winding 17 of the secondary side of ignition coil 5, connected to high-voltage output 11, is on the other hand grounded via a measurement circuit 19. Measurement circuit 19 comprises a Zener diode 21 connected at its cathode to a connection point 23 and at its anode to ground. Connected between connection point 23 and ground, parallel to Zener diode 21, is a series
REFERENCES:
patent: 4556040 (1985-12-01), Heyke
patent: 5265580 (1993-11-01), Vogel et al.
patent: 5293129 (1994-03-01), Ikeuchi et al.
patent: 5379745 (1995-01-01), Vogel et al.
patent: 5771871 (1998-06-01), Vogel et al.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Solis Erick R.
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