Ignition Coil Current Control via Feedback Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in reliably controlling ignition energy to avoid overstressing the ignition coil and spark plug, leading to inefficiencies and increased wear due to lack of real-time feedback and adaptive current regulation.
Innovation Solution
The ignition coil is used as a current transmitter, with primary and freewheeling currents measured to adjust the ignition current via pulse width or frequency modulation, ensuring optimal energy delivery to each spark plug and preventing spark ruptures by integrating total current and interrupting energy supply when maximum limits are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher ignition energy is made available to avoid spark breaks, then reliability of ignition is improved, but wear on spark plug electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the actual primary current with a current sensor and comparing it to the desired current profile. The control unit adjusts the ignition current in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring optimal ignition energy is delivered without excessive wear. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain reliability while minimizing electrode consumption by avoiding unnecessarily high energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic current control where the ignition current is continuously adjusted during the ignition process rather than using a fixed high energy level. The control unit modifies the current waveform in real-time based on the measured primary current and combustion conditions, delivering exactly the right amount of energy needed for reliable ignition without the excessive energy that would cause increased electrode wear.
2Power
If pulse width modulation is used to control ignition current, then ignition energy control is improved, but switching frequency is limited resulting in high ripple current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to measure the actual primary current and compare it with the desired current profile. This allows the system to achieve precise ignition energy control without being limited by low switching frequencies. The feedback mechanism compensates for the ripple current effects by continuously adjusting the current delivery based on real-time measurements, thereby achieving both good power control and reduced ripple effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from simple pulse width modulation to a more sophisticated current-profile-based control. Instead of relying solely on pulse width adjustments at limited switching frequencies, the system controls the shape and magnitude of the current waveform based on predetermined current profiles. This parameter change enables better ignition energy control while mitigating the high ripple current issue associated with low-frequency switching.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pulse train ignition with deliberate spark breaks is used, then ignition coil demagnetization is achieved, but ignition energy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the ignition current waveform, allowing the system to maintain optimal magnetization levels in the ignition coil without deliberate spark breaks. The control unit adjusts the current profile in real-time based on feedback from the current sensor, ensuring the coil maintains the right magnetic field strength for efficient energy transfer. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for energy-wasting demagnetization cycles while maintaining coil stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by avoiding deliberate spark breaks that would interrupt the ignition process. Instead of using pulse train ignition with intentional gaps that reduce energy delivery, the system employs continuous current control with smooth waveforms that maintain both coil magnetization and energy delivery. The feedback-controlled current profile ensures uninterrupted energy transfer to the spark plug throughout the required ignition duration.
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 approach ensures reliable and efficient ignition control, minimizing wear on components by providing individually optimal ignition currents and preventing overloading, while avoiding ripple current and maintaining a consistent ignition current profile.
Implementation Method 1
electrical energy is stored in a magnetic field that has been built up by a primary current and the magnetic field collapses by interrupting the primary current and by induction generates a high voltage
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an ignition method for internal combustion engines having an ignition coil (3), which has a primary circuit (P) and a secondary circuit (S), and a spark plug (5) arranged in the secondary circuit (S), wherein the ignition current is a pulse signal, which is controlled by pulse-width modulation in the primary circuit (P), wherein the primary current presently flowing in the primary circuit (P) is measured, the measured primary current is compared with a specified target ignition current, and the pulse-width modulation and/or a frequency modulation of the pulse signal in the primary circuit (P) is adjusted according to the comparison result in order to achieve the target current. The invention further relates to an ignition system for internal combustion engines, comprising a control unit (1) for specifying an activation signal, a combustion duration, and an ignition current, an electronic switch (2) for producing a pulse signal, an ignition coil (3) having a primary winding (31) and a secondary winding (32), wherein the primary winding (31) is connected to a voltage source (4) by means of the electronic switch (2) and the secondary winding (31) supplies a spark plug (5), wherein a first current measuring means (61) is provided in order to determine the primary current flowing through the primary winding (31), downstream of which current measuring means a comparator (8) for comparing the primary current with the target ignition current specified by the control unit (1) is arranged, which comparator has means for acting on the electronic switch (2) for the pulse-width modulation and/or frequency modulation of the primary current and thus of the ignition amperage.