Internal combustion engine with an arrangement consisting of a spark plug and a spark plug connector and an arrangement consisting of a mechanically driven device and such an internal combustion engine

Abstract

Internal combustion engine with at least one arrangement consisting of a spark plug (5) and a spark plug connector, with a connector body (1) which has a first end section (2) for inserting one end of a high-voltage line (4) and a second end section (3) for receiving one end of a spark plug (5), wherein an electrical conductor for transmitting an ignition voltage from the high-voltage line (4) to the spark plug (5) is arranged between the first end section (2) and the second end section (3), wherein the electrical conductor has at least one inductor (6) as an electromagnetic interference suppression element, wherein the arrangement is held on or in a valve cover (10) of the internal combustion engine (11) or a spark plug well, and an end of a high-voltage line (4) is inserted into the first end section (2) of the connector body (1) and is electrically connected to the electrical conductor, characterized in thatthat the electrical conductor section, following the first end section (2), has at least two inductors (6) arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the second end section (3), or at least one inductor (6) and at least one ohmic resistor (8), as electromagnetic interference suppression elements, the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one inductor (6) and the at least one ohmic resistor (8), being located in the region of one end of the spark plug well, wherein one of the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one ohmic resistor (8), is located in the spark plug well with an overlap of approximately 50% or 100% and another of the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one inductor (6), is located above the spark plug well.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with at least one arrangement consisting of a spark plug and such a spark plug connector, as well as an arrangement with a mechanically driven device and at least one such internal combustion engine.

[0002] It is known that the ignitions in an internal combustion engine produce electromagnetic interference emissions, which can only be reduced to a limited extent and with great difficulty by conventional interference suppression measures.

[0003] In connection with the ignition spark in internal combustion engines, significant electromagnetic interference emissions can occur during the formation and maintenance of the spark or partial discharges.

[0004] DE 12 24 988 A discloses a spark plug connector comprising a connector body with a first end section for inserting one end of a high-voltage line and a second end section for receiving one end of a spark plug. An electrical conductor is arranged between the first and second end sections for transmitting an ignition voltage from the high-voltage line of the ignition coil to the spark plug. Following the first end section, the electrical conductor includes a T-filter acting as a low-pass filter for spark suppression. This T-filter consists of two series circuits, each comprising a resistor and a self-inductor, connected in series. A parallel branch with a capacitor leads from the junction to a common ground.

[0005] EP 1 650 843 A1, which represents the closest prior art and on which the preamble of independent claim 1 is based, discloses an internal combustion engine in which a spark plug is recessed and screwed into a bore in an engine block. A spark plug connector is attached to the spark plug and is largely located within the bore. The spark plug connector has an inductive interference suppression device comprising a ferromagnetic core with a winding or coil made of resistance wire to provide a DC ohmic resistance. The interference suppression device should be positioned as close as possible to the electrodes of the spark plug.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an internal combustion engine with at least one arrangement consisting of a spark plug and a spark plug connector, as well as an arrangement with a mechanically driven device and at least one such internal combustion engine, in which electromagnetic interference radiation from the ignition is reduced.

[0007] This problem is solved by an internal combustion engine with at least one arrangement of a spark plug and such a spark plug connector having the features of claim 1, and by an arrangement of a mechanically driven device and at least one such internal combustion engine, in particular a genset with a generator for generating electricity.

[0008] Such an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one arrangement consisting of a spark plug and a spark plug connector, has a spark plug connector with a connector body (of approximately cylindrical shape) comprising a first end section for inserting one end of a high-voltage line and a second end section for receiving one end of a spark plug. An electrical conductor for transmitting an ignition voltage from the high-voltage line to the spark plug is arranged between the first and second end sections.The electrical conductor section has – preferably immediately – at least two inductors, arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the second end section (3), or at least one inductor (6) and at least one ohmic resistor (8), as electromagnetic interference suppression elements, wherein the arrangement is held on or in a valve cover of the internal combustion engine or a spark plug well, and one end of a high-voltage conductor is inserted into the first end section of the connector body and electrically connected to the electrical conductor section. The at least two inductors, or the at least one inductor and the at least one ohmic resistor, are located in the region of one end of the spark plug well, wherein one of the at least two inductors, or the at least one ohmic resistor, has an overlap of approximately50% or 100% position in the spark plug well and another of the at least two inductances, or the at least one inductance, is located above the spark plug well.

[0009] By arranging at least two inductors, or at least one inductor and at least one ohmic resistor, in the electrical conductor path following the first end section, the electromagnetic interference radiation from the ignition can be significantly reduced. The at least two inductors, or at least one inductor and at least one ohmic resistor, can also be referred to as electromagnetic interference suppression elements.

[0010] Such an arrangement, in particular a genset, includes at least one internal combustion engine for driving the mechanically driven device, in particular a generator for generating electricity. Another example of a mechanically driven device is a pump.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] The high-voltage line can be designed, for example, as a flexible high-voltage cable or as a rigid electrically conductive element.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electrical conductor section has at least three inductors following the first end section, arranged either directly adjacent to one another or spaced apart in the direction of the second end section. This has surprisingly proven to be extremely advantageous with regard to reducing electromagnetic interference.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is provided that the electrical conductor section, following the at least one inductor in the direction of the second end section, has a connecting conductor, for example an electrically conductive mechanical spring or an electrically conductive rod, for contacting the spark plug.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one of the at least two inductors, or the at least one inductor, is designed in the form of a coil, preferably without a core made of magnetic material such as ferrite or iron. Without a magnetizable core, there is no change in the frequency response.

[0016] In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least two inductors, or the at least one inductor, have a total value of at least 5 mH, preferably at least 10 mH.

[0017] In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least two inductors, or the at least one inductor, extend over a range of approximately 30 mm to approximately 100 mm, preferably approximately 50 mm.

[0018] In one embodiment, the spark plug connector is designed without a shielding plate. Shielding plates are known in the prior art, which are located above the spark plug as a component of the spark plug connector.

[0019] In one embodiment, a mounting plate for attaching the spark plug connector to a valve cover of an internal combustion engine is provided on the connector body. The plate can be made of metal or an electrically non-conductive material, for example. Alternatively, the spark plug connector can be attached via the spark plug and / or the spark plug well.

[0020] In one embodiment, an ignition coil is arranged at a distance from the valve cover and is connected to the electrical conductor of the spark plug connector via the high-voltage line.

[0021] In one embodiment, at least one arrangement is provided for in the valve cover via a preferably multi-part spark plug sleeve. Of course, a one-piece design of the spark plug sleeve would also be possible.

[0022] If a spark plug sleeve is provided, it can be arranged concentrically or eccentrically to the spark plug connector.

[0023] Preferably, the internal combustion engine is designed to be stationary.

[0024] The internal combustion engine preferably has more than six arrangements consisting of an exemplary embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug, and / or a displacement of more than one and a half liters, preferably more than two liters, per combustion chamber. Each arrangement serves to ignite a fuel gas or fuel gas-air mixture introduced into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are discussed with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a section view through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a first embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug. Fig. Figure 2A shows a section view through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a second embodiment of a spark plug connector and an ignition coil, wherein the second embodiment as such does not belong to the claimed invention. Fig. Figure 2B shows a section through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a third embodiment of a spark plug connector and an ignition coil, wherein the third embodiment as such does not belong to the claimed invention. Fig. Figure 3A shows a section view through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a fourth embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug. Fig. Figure 3B shows a section view through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a fifth embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug. Fig. Figure 3C shows a section view through a central plane of a spark plug connector of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a sixth embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug. Fig. 3D shows a section of an internal combustion engine with an arrangement of a seventh embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug. Fig. Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view through a central plane of a spark plug connector, illustrating an embodiment of a possible fastening method for a spark plug connector to a valve cover. Fig. Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view through a central plane of a spark plug connector, illustrating an embodiment of a means of attaching a spark plug connector to a spark plug. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement with an internal combustion engine and a mechanically driven device. Fig. Figure 6 shows the effect of the invention.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an arrangement consisting of a first embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug 5. This arrangement is positioned in a valve cover 10 of an internal combustion engine 11 via a spark plug sleeve 13, which is designed here in multiple parts, and is held on the valve cover 10 by a plate 9.

[0027] An ignition voltage is supplied from an ignition coil (not shown in the figures) via a high-voltage cable 4, which (guided through a cable guide 14, for example, a rubber grommet) enters the connector body 1 at a first end section 2, to the spark plug connector, and then via an electrical conductor running within the connector body 1 to a spark plug 5, which is partially located in a second end section 3 of the connector body. Unlike the illustration, the connector body 1 can also be a single piece.

[0028] In this embodiment, the electrical conductor path consists (in a sequence starting from the first end section 2 to the second end section 3) of three inductors 6 and a connecting conductor 7.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 2A shows a section of an internal combustion engine 11 with an arrangement consisting of a second embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug 5, which is not part of the claimed invention. Here, the electrical conductor path (in a sequence starting from the first end section 2 to the second end section 3) consists of an inductor 6, a connecting conductor 7, an ohmic resistor 8, and another connecting conductor 7. In this embodiment, an ignition coil 16 is arranged directly at the first end section 2 of the connector body 1. Unlike the illustration, the ignition coil 16 does not have to be arranged concentrically to the axis of the spark plug well.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 2B shows a section of an internal combustion engine 11 with an arrangement consisting of a third embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug 5, which is not part of the claimed invention. Here, the electrical conductor path (in a sequence starting from the first end section 2 to the second end section 3) consists of a first inductor 6, a connecting conductor 7, a second inductor 6, and a further connecting conductor 7. In this embodiment, an ignition coil 16 is arranged directly at the first end section 2 of the connector body 1.

[0031] The Fig. Figures 3A to 3D show different possibilities for placing at least one inductor 6 relative to the valve cover 10, namely below the valve cover 10 ( Fig. 3A), partly above and partly below the valve cover 10 ( Fig. 3B and Fig. 3D) and above the valve cover 10 ( Fig. 3C).

[0032] The Fig. Figure 4A shows the possibility of attaching an arrangement consisting of a spark plug connector, spark plug 5 and spark plug sleeve 13 via a plate 9 to a top of the valve cover 10.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 4B shows the possibility of fastening an arrangement consisting of a spark plug connector, spark plug 5 and spark plug sleeve 13 over the spark plug 5 in the area of ​​an underside of the valve cover 10, which delimits a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 11 (not shown).

[0034] In Fig. Figure 5 schematically represents an arrangement comprising a mechanically driven device 12, for example a genset with a generator 12 for power generation, and an internal combustion engine 11, which is connected to the device 12 via a mechanical shaft 15 for driving the device 12. The internal combustion engine 11 is stationary and has more than six assemblies consisting of an embodiment of a spark plug connector and a spark plug 5.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 6 shows the effect of the invention, namely a significant reduction in electromagnetic interference radiation during the ignition of a spark plug (logarithmic representation).

[0036] Line 1 shows the interference radiation with conventional interference suppression measures.

[0037] Line 2 shows the interference radiation when using one of the exemplary embodiments of a spark plug connector from the present disclosure. A reduction of approximately 10 to 30 dB mV / m in the envelope of line 2 compared to the envelope of line 1 can be observed.

[0038] Line 3 shows the baseline noise level without ignition for comparison. Reference symbol: 1 plug body 2 first end section of the connector body 3 second end section of the plug body 4 High-voltage line 5 spark plug 6 Inductance 7 Connecting cable 8 ohm resistance 9 plate 10 valve covers of an internal combustion engine 11 Internal combustion engine 12. Mechanically driven device, in particular generator 13 Spark plug sleeve 14 Cable routing for high-voltage line 15 wave 16 Ignition coil

Claims

[1] Internal combustion engine with at least one arrangement consisting of a spark plug (5) and a spark plug connector, comprising a connector body (1) which has a first end section (2) for inserting one end of a high-voltage line (4) and a second end section (3) for receiving one end of a spark plug (5), wherein an electrical conductor for transmitting an ignition voltage from the high-voltage line (4) to the spark plug (5) is arranged between the first end section (2) and the second end section (3), wherein the electrical conductor has at least one inductor (6) as an electromagnetic interference suppression element, wherein the arrangement is held on or in a valve cover (10) of the internal combustion engine (11) or a spark plug well, and an end of a high-voltage line (4) is inserted into the first end section (2) of the connector body (1) and is electrically connected to the electrical conductor. characterized by, that the electrical conductor section, following the first end section (2), has at least two inductors (6) arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the second end section (3), or at least one inductor (6) and at least one ohmic resistance (8), as electromagnetic interference suppression elements, the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one inductor (6) and the at least one ohmic resistance (8), are located in the region of one end of the spark plug well, wherein one of the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one ohmic resistance (8), is located in the spark plug well with an overlap of approximately 50% or 100% and another of the at least two inductors (6), or the at least one inductor (6), is located above the spark plug well. [2] Internal combustion engine according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical conductor section connects directly to the first end section (2). [3] Internal combustion engine according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor section has at least three inductors (6) following the first end section (2), which are arranged directly adjacent to each other or spaced apart from each other in the direction of the second end section (3). [4] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor section has a connecting conductor (7) for contacting the spark plug (5) following the at least one inductor (6) in the direction of the second end section (3). [5] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one inductance (6) of the at least two inductances (6), or the at least one inductance (6), is formed in the form of a coil, preferably without a core made of magnetic material. [6] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two inductances (6), or the at least one inductance (6), have a total value of more than 5 mH, preferably more than 10 mH. [7] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two inductances (6), or the at least one inductance (6), extend / extend over a total area of ​​approximately 30 mm to approximately 100 mm, preferably approximately 50 mm. [8] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the spark plug connector is designed without a shielding plate. [9] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a plate (9) for mounting on a valve cover (10) of an internal combustion engine (11) is arranged on the plug body (1). [10] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body (1) is formed in multiple parts. [11] Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an ignition coil is arranged spaced apart from the valve cover (10) and is connected to the electrical conductor of the spark plug connector via the high voltage line (4). [12] Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one arrangement is arranged via a preferably multi-part spark plug sleeve (13) in the valve cover (10). [13] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal combustion engine (11) has more than six arrangements. [14] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal combustion engine (11) has a displacement of more than one and a half liters per combustion chamber. [15] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal combustion engine (11) is designed as a stationary internal combustion engine. [16] Internal combustion engine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inductor (6) is located in the region of the end of a spark plug well or in the region of a valve cover, wherein the at least one inductor (6) is located a maximum of approximately 20 mm above and / or below the end of the spark plug well or alternatively a top surface of a valve cover. [17] Arrangement comprising a mechanically driven device (12) and at least one internal combustion engine (11) according to at least one of the preceding claims for driving the mechanically driven device (12) .

Images