Ignition Coil Assembly Diagnostics for Continuous Spark Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition systems lack comprehensive diagnostic features that provide continuous feedback on both the input and output sides of the ignition system, including the spark plug, and are susceptible to electromagnetic noise, leading to issues like poor engine performance and misfires.
Innovation Solution
An ignition coil assembly with internal diagnostic features that include a charging evaluation circuit, discharging evaluation circuit, and feedback integration circuit, providing continuous feedback through a unified diagnostic signal that combines information from both charging and discharging phases, using isolated grounds to reduce noise immunity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional diagnostic features are used to monitor ignition system faults, then fault detection capability is provided, but continuous feedback for performance improvement is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a diagnostic circuit that provides continuous feedback about ignition system operation through a dedicated diagnostic output terminal. This feedback includes information about charging phase, discharging phase, and spark plug operation, enabling the engine control unit to continuously monitor and optimize ignition performance rather than only detecting faults after they occur.
2Device complexity
If diagnostic features are limited to specific parts of the ignition system, then device complexity is reduced, but comprehensive monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic circuit is designed to simultaneously monitor multiple aspects of the ignition system through a unified architecture. It tracks the charging phase of the ignition coil, the discharging phase, and the spark plug operation, providing comprehensive diagnostic information through a single diagnostic output terminal that gives the engine control unit a complete picture of ignition system health.
3Power
If analog signals are used for diagnostic feedback, then signal strength is sufficient, but susceptibility to electromagnetic noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vulnerable analog signal transmission with a more robust digital communication interface. The diagnostic circuit communicates with the engine control unit through a digital protocol that is inherently more resistant to electromagnetic interference. This substitution maintains adequate signal strength for reliable communication while dramatically reducing susceptibility to the electromagnetic noise generated by the ignition system.
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 solution enables continuous monitoring and evaluation of ignition system aspects, improving engine performance by reducing noise susceptibility and providing accurate diagnostics for both primary and secondary windings, as well as spark plugs, enhancing detection of malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition coil assembly with internal diagnostic features that can be used to monitor and evaluate different aspects of an ignition system and provide continuous feedback. The ignition coil assembly may be a coil-on-plug type device that converts low-voltage battery power into high-voltage ignition pulses, and may include several input terminals, an ignition coil with primary and secondary windings, ignition circuitry, an output terminal, a spark plug connector, and a housing. The ignition circuitry includes an ignition operational circuit and an ignition diagnostic circuit, which in turn has a charging evaluation circuit for monitoring a charging phase, a discharging evaluation circuit for monitoring a discharging phase, and a feedback integration circuit for combining outputs into a multiplexed digital signal that can then be sent to an engine control unit (ECU) or the like over a single output terminal.