Electric-Field Pre-Chamber Ignition for Lean Cold-Start Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving efficient combustion and reducing emissions, particularly during cold start conditions, due to the need for auxiliary fueling in prechambers to enhance ignition and combustion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electrically assisted prechamber ignition system is introduced, comprising a prechamber device with electrodes and a spark plug, which generates an electric field to promote ignition and early combustion within the prechamber, utilizing an electronic control unit to control the electric field and spark timing for improved lean and dilution tolerance without auxiliary fueling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auxiliary fueling is used in prechambers to enhance ignition and combustion efficiency during cold start conditions, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity and emission control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical auxiliary fueling system with an electrical field generation system. Electrodes generate an electric field within the prechamber that promotes ignition and early combustion of the air-fuel mixture without requiring additional fuel injection systems, thereby improving combustion efficiency while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the prechamber environment by introducing an electric field. This electric field parameter modification enhances the ignition and combustion processes during cold start conditions, improving reliability without adding mechanical complexity
2Reliability
If auxiliary fueling is used in prechambers to enhance ignition, then lean and dilution tolerance is improved, but emission control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex emission control mechanisms with an electric field-based ignition enhancement system. The electric field promotes more complete combustion of lean and diluted mixtures in the prechamber, improving tolerance without requiring additional emission control hardware or complex fuel management systems
3Device complexity
If traditional spark ignition is used without electric field assistance, then device complexity is reduced, but combustion speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traditional spark ignition system with an electric field generation system within the prechamber. The electrodes work alongside the spark plug to create enhanced ignition conditions, combining simple spark generation with electric field assistance to achieve faster combustion without significantly increasing overall system complexity
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 enhances combustion efficiency, reduces emissions, and improves engine performance by promoting uniform distribution of the air-fuel mixture through turbulent jets, facilitating faster and more complete combustion.
Implementation Method 1
The first electrode and the second electrode generate an electric field inside the prechamber device
Implementation Method 2
The spark plug generates an ignition arc to initiate the combustion reaction
Implementation Method 3
combustion of the air-fuel mixture forces movement of pistons and a crankshaft within the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A prechamber device for facilitating a combustion reaction within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion spark-ignition gasoline engine includes a prechamber body, first and second electrodes, an insulation, first and second electrode terminals, a spark plug, and a prechamber head. The prechamber body includes orifices and at least partially contains the combustion reaction. The insulation insulates the first electrode and the second electrode from the prechamber body. The first electrode terminal receives a first amount of power and the second electrode terminal receives a second amount of power from an energy storage device. The first and second electrode terminals deliver the power to the first electrode and the second electrode that generate the electric field. The spark plug generates an ignition arc to initiate the combustion reaction. The prechamber head retains a position of the spark plug and closes off a first end of the prechamber body.