Decompression Valve Closure via Ignition Timing Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decompression valves in internal combustion engines require tight tolerances to reliably close due to insufficient combustion pressure at late ignition points during idling, leading to complex production and potential engine kickback issues.

Innovation Solution

Advancing the ignition timing by approximately 5° crankshaft angle before the earliest ignition point for at least one engine cycle ensures a stronger combustion, resulting in higher combustion chamber pressure that reliably closes the decompression valve, eliminating the need for complex valve construction or precise manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the ignition timing is set to a late ignition point for smooth idling operation, then the engine runs smoothly with constant speed, but the combustion pressure becomes insufficient to reliably close the decompression valve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidling speed stabilityVSAvoiddecompression valve closing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs a preliminary action by detecting the decompression valve opening state before combustion occurs, and based on this detection, adjusts the ignition timing to an advanced ignition point in advance of the combustion event. This preliminary detection and adjustment ensures that when combustion occurs, the decompression valve is reliably closed, while still allowing smooth idling operation at late ignition points during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If tight tolerances are maintained on the decompression valve to ensure reliable closing, then the decompression valve closes reliably, but the production complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecompression valve closing reliabilityVSAvoiddecompression valve construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical solution of tight tolerances and complex valve construction with an electronic control system. The control device detects valve opening state and adjusts ignition timing electronically, substituting the need for mechanically precise decompression valve construction with a controllable ignition timing system that ensures reliable valve closing through timing adjustment rather than mechanical precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the ignition timing is advanced to increase combustion pressure for reliable decompression valve closing, then the decompression valve closes reliably, but the engine may experience kickback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecompression valve closing reliabilityVSAvoidengine kickback
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses feedback from the decompression valve opening state detection to determine the appropriate ignition timing. By detecting whether the decompression valve is open before combustion, the system provides feedback that allows it to select an advanced ignition timing only when necessary (when the valve is open), and use normal late ignition timing when the valve is closed, thus preventing kickback while ensuring reliable valve closing when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This method allows for reliable closure of the decompression valve without complex construction, preventing engine kickback and ensuring consistent idling speed, while maintaining smooth engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is ignited by a spark plug 23

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2787215B1Method for operating a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO KG
  • EP2787215B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2787215B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2787215B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An internal combustion engine has one cylinder in which a piston is mounted to move back and forth, driving a crankshaft that is rotatably mounted in a crankcase. The piston defines a combustion chamber into which a spark plug protrudes. The internal combustion engine has a starting device for starting the engine. The spark plug ignites at an ignition point (ZZP) controlled by a timing device. Within an idle speed range, the ignition timing (ZZP) is controlled by an idle speed control unit, which has an earliest ignition point (ZZP1). The internal combustion engine has a decompression valve that, when open, connects the combustion chamber to a pressure relief chamber. This valve is open when the engine is started and closes when the pressure (p) in the combustion chamber exceeds a closing pressure (p1).To ensure the decompression valve closes safely, the ignition in the idle speed range is provided for at least one engine cycle (xl, x2) to deviate from the idle control at a closing ignition point (ZZP2) that is at least approximately 5° crankshaft angle before the earliest ignition point (ZZP1).