Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Patent
1996-06-24
1998-07-07
Palmer, Phan T. H.
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
385147, 385 27, 385 44, 385 48, G02B 642
Patent
active
057781150
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVNETION
The invention is based on an arrangement for switching a high-voltage switch by means of optical energy. From European Patent Disclosure EP 0 377 619, A high-voltage switch is already known that takes over the function of an ignition voltage distributor when the high-voltage distribution is in repose. This high-voltage switch is disposed between the high-voltage-side output of the ignition coil and the spark plug, and it comprises semiconductor elements that have light-sensitive zones. The light-sensitive zones may be triggered by light-emitting elements in such a way that they switch through at a predetermined time, for instance corresponding to the ignition sequence. In the known arrangement, fiber-optical light guides or light-emitting diodes are disposed facing the light-sensitive zones of the high-voltage switch. Such an arrangement requires a relatively large amount of space when installed in an ignition system. From German Patent DE 41 39 823, an arrangement of the light-emitting to light-sensitive element is known in which the light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode, and the light-transmitting element comprises a number of photoconductive glass fibers melted together. The cross sections of the light inlet face and the light exit face of the optical fiber rod are adapted here to the form of the facing light-emitting and the light-sensitive optoelectronic element, respectively. To that end, the light exit face of the light-transmitting optical fiber rod is reshaped from the originally round cross section of the light inlet face facing the light-emitting diode to a linear narrow cross section facing the rodlike optoelectronic semiconductor switch. For deforming the cross section, the optical fiber rod is heated, shaped, and then in its new shape cooled down again. In other words, a plurality of work steps are necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The arrangement according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that by obliquely bringing the light-transmitting element to the longitudinal extension of the semiconductor switch, space-saving mounting of the semiconductor switch and the light-transmitting element is possible.
It is especially advantageous that by the use of a rodlike fiber-optical light guide or optical fiber rod as the light-transmitting element, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the light-transmitting element and the longitudinal axis of the high-voltage switch can be chosen to be very small. The beveling of the light-transmitting element on the side toward the high-voltage switch, so that an elliptical cross-sectional face is created, has the advantage that the light-transmitting element rests flatly against the circumferential face of the high-voltage switch, and as a result the light energy can be carried very precisely to predeterminable regions of the high-voltage switch. As a result, in the final analysis, no additional work steps are needed to adapt the cross section of the light-transmitting element to the shape of the high-voltage switch. Because of the integration of the high-voltage switch and the light-transmitting element in the spark plug connector, there is no need to additional mounting of the high-voltage switch with the light-transmitting element on the cylinder head or ignition coil, for instance. The spark plug connector can thus be pre-mounted in finished form and then installed in its complete form, which makes for better handling since there is no need to mount still additional individual parts in the course of manufacturing an engine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and described in further detail in the ensuing description. The sole drawing figure shows a spark plug connector in section, with the arrangement according to the invention of a high-voltage break-over diode and lighttransmitting element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The drawing shows a spark plug connector 10, shown partly cutaway. On one end, identified by
REFERENCES:
patent: 5237969 (1993-08-01), Sakin
Benedikt Walter
Herden Werner
Konrad Johann
Vogel Manfred
Palmer Phan T. H.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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