Coupled Multi-Charge Ignition System With Continuous Spark Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition systems, including multi-charge and AC systems, face issues with intermittent sparks due to recharge periods, leading to misfires and increased fuel consumption and emissions, especially under high turbulences, and suffer from decreased energy transfer with higher burn voltages.
Innovation Solution
A multi-charge ignition system with a control unit that simultaneously energizes and deenergizes primary windings using two transformers to create and maintain a continuous spark, with a step-down converter to limit primary current and high-voltage diodes to manage burn voltage, allowing for adjustable energy delivery and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If multi-charge ignition systems are used to reduce system size and increase spark duration, then the ignition system size is reduced and spark duration is extended, but the spark is interrupted during recharge periods causing misfires and higher emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges a storage capacitor during the recharge period before it is needed. The capacitor is charged from the transformer secondary winding through a diode, so that when the spark is needed, energy is already available in the capacitor to maintain continuous spark without interruption, even during the recharge phase of the ignition coil.
Solution Approach 2:
A storage capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage element between the transformer and the spark plug. This capacitor acts as a buffer that decouples the continuous spark requirement from the intermittent energy availability of the transformer, allowing the spark to continue during transformer recharge periods.
2Device complexity
If simple AC ignition systems are used with direct coupling of primary and secondary sides, then the system structure is simplified, but the transferred energy to the spark plug decreases with higher burn voltages
Solution Approach 1:
A diode is introduced as an intermediary component in the energy transfer path from the transformer secondary winding to the storage capacitor. This diode enables unidirectional energy transfer, allowing the system to accumulate energy in the capacitor during low-voltage phases and deliver it during high-voltage burn phases, thereby maintaining energy transfer efficiency across varying burn voltages without complicating the overall AC ignition structure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high energy single spark ignition coils are used to ensure safe ignition of lean mixtures, then ignition energy is sufficient, but the system size becomes large and spark duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system is segmented into multiple energy storage components: the ignition coil and the storage capacitor. This segmentation allows the total ignition energy to be divided and delivered in controlled sequences, enabling the use of a smaller ignition coil while maintaining sufficient total energy delivery through the added capacitor, thus reducing overall system size while preserving ignition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic charging and discharging cycles of the storage capacitor to extend the total spark duration. Energy is periodically transferred from the transformer to the capacitor and then to the spark plug, creating a multi-phase energy delivery pattern that extends effective spark duration beyond what a single coil discharge can provide.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system produces a continuous ignition spark with adjustable burning time, reducing misfires and emissions, and effectively manages energy transfer across a wide range of burn voltages, using cost-effective high-voltage diodes and preventing magnetic saturation.
Implementation Method 1
a first transformer (T1) including a first primary winding (L1, L2) storing energy in a magnetic field when being energized
Implementation Method 2
a first transformer (T1) including a first primary winding (L1, L2) inductively coupled to a first secondary winding (L3, L4)
Implementation Method 3
two fast recovery diodes (D1, D2) coupled in series between the gapped electrodes (11) and the functional ground
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an ignition system for a combustion engine comprising a spark plug with a pair of gapped electrodes, a first transformer T1 including a first primary winding L1 inductively coupled to a first secondary winding L2 a second transformer T2 including a second primary winding L3 inductively coupled to a second secondary winding L4, secondary windings L2 and L4 being each coupled to the gapped electrodes of the spark plug and a control unit enabled to simultaneously energize and deenergize primary windings L1 and L3 by simultaneously switching on and off two switches Q1 and Q2 to establish an electrical arc across the gapped electrodes and to sequentially energize and deenergize primary windings L1 and L3 by sequentially switching on and off both switches Q1 and Q2 to maintain a continuous ignition fire.