Ignition Coil Tertiary Coil Control for Combustion Misfire
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Subsidiary-chamber-type internal combustion engines face issues with scavenging performance, leading to potential misfires due to stagnated burned gas and carbon deposits on ignition plug electrodes, especially under low load or cold engine conditions, which affect ignitability and stability.
Innovation Solution
An internal-combustion-engine ignition apparatus with a control apparatus that estimates combustion states and adjusts the energization of a tertiary coil to increase secondary current in the ignition coil, enhancing spark discharge energy and preventing misfires by improving ignitability even under suboptimal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a subsidiary combustion chamber is connected to the main combustion chamber through an orifice to enable multi-point ignition and improve thermal efficiency, then combustion efficiency and thermal efficiency are improved, but scavenging performance deteriorates causing burned gas to stagnate in the subsidiary combustion chamber under low load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable voltage control mechanism that dynamically adjusts the ignition voltage applied to the ignition plug based on operating conditions. Under low load conditions where scavenging performance deteriorates, the control unit increases the voltage to generate stronger spark discharge, compensating for the poor scavenging and preventing misfire. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain reliable ignition across different operating conditions while preserving the thermal efficiency benefits of the subsidiary combustion chamber configuration.
2Productivity
If the engine operates under cold conditions causing liquid fuel droplets to adhere to the subsidiary combustion chamber and ignition plug, then fuel injection is maintained, but soot is produced and carbon deposits on the ignition plug cause smolder and misfire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable voltage control that detects cold operating conditions and responds by increasing the ignition voltage. The stronger spark discharge under cold conditions helps vaporize liquid fuel droplets more effectively, reducing soot production. Additionally, the enhanced spark energy prevents carbon deposits from causing smolder by providing sufficient energy to ignite the fuel-air mixture despite the presence of carbon on the ignition plug, thereby preventing misfire while maintaining fuel injection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit proactively increases the ignition voltage before misfire occurs under cold conditions. By detecting cold operating parameters and preemptively applying higher voltage, the system prevents the formation of soot and carbon deposit-related ignition problems rather than reacting after they occur. This preliminary anti-action approach counteracts the harmful effects of cold operation before they can lead to misfire.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical structure optimization is applied to the ignition plug and subsidiary combustion chamber shapes to improve combustion, then local combustion efficiency is improved, but it is difficult to cope with varying operational conditions and electrode deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static mechanical optimization approach to a dynamic control approach. Instead of relying solely on fixed geometric optimizations that cannot adapt to changing conditions, the system implements variable voltage control that dynamically adjusts ignition parameters based on real-time operating conditions. This allows the ignition system to adapt to different load conditions, engine speeds, and electrode deterioration states, providing versatility that mechanical design alone cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (voltage) as a controllable variable to compensate for the limitations of fixed mechanical design. By varying the ignition voltage based on operational conditions and electrode wear, the system maintains effective ignition across a wide range of conditions without requiring complex mechanical redesigns. This parameter-based adaptation provides the versatility needed to handle varying operational demands.
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 effectively raises ignitability and prevents misfires by increasing secondary current during suboptimal scavenging and smolder conditions, ensuring stable engine operation and reduced emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary current is generated in the secondary coil by a change in magnetic flux generated in the primary coil
Implementation Method 2
magnetic flux in the tertiary coil is changed so as to increase the secondary current
Implementation Method 3
a spark discharge is produced in the ignition plug
Data Source
AI summary
The objective is to obtain an internal-combustion-engine ignition apparatus that raises the ignitability at a time when a smolder occurs. An internal-combustion-engine ignition apparatus having a main combustion chamber and a subsidiary combustion chamber includesan ignition plug,an ignition coil having a primary coil, a secondary coil, and a tertiary coil,a first switching circuit that turns on or off energization of the primary coil,a second switching circuit that turns on or off energization of the tertiary coil, anda control apparatus that estimates a combustion state, that performs on/off-control of the first switching circuit so that a spark discharge is produced in the ignition plug and that performs on/off-control of the second switching circuit so that magnetic flux in the tertiary coil is changed so as to increase a secondary current, when deterioration of a combustion state has been estimated.