Ignition Control Apparatus for Smoldering Plug Mitigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In internal combustion engines, ignition plug smoldering leads to delayed and unstable spark discharge, affecting ignition and combustion performance due to energy leaks, which conventional ignition apparatuses cannot completely prevent.

Innovation Solution

An ignition control apparatus with a first electrode, second electrode, ignition coil device, current detection device, smolder level detection device, and control device that adjusts ignition timing, number of events, and energy accumulation based on detected smolder levels to ensure reliable spark discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the ignition plug is made slimmer or with longer reach to improve combustion efficiency, then the ignition performance should be improved, but the to-the-ground static capacity increases causing energy leak and deteriorating ignition performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition plug reach lengthVSAvoidignition energy leak

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary detection of smolder conditions before ignition events and proactively adjusts ignition parameters (timing, energy accumulation) to counteract the energy leak effect, ensuring reliable spark discharge despite increased static capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The current detection device continuously monitors leakage current to detect smolder conditions, providing feedback to the control device which then adjusts ignition parameters in real-time to compensate for energy loss through the smolder path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stress or pressure

If the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine is increased to improve thermal efficiency, then the required voltage for the ignition plug increases, but the smolder effect becomes more significant and deteriorates ignition performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression ratioVSAvoidignition performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition system dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected smolder conditions, varying ignition timing and energy accumulation levels according to the severity of smolder, thereby maintaining reliable ignition performance across different compression ratios and operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If conventional ignition apparatus performs spark discharge continuously to prevent smolder, then the smolder frequency is reduced, but the smolder cannot be completely suppressed and ignition performance still deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmolder preventionVSAvoidignition energy leak

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces continuous mechanical spark discharge with an intelligent control system that uses electrical current detection to identify smolder conditions and applies targeted electrical energy compensation only when needed, eliminating waste while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

Prevents engine extinction, suppresses output decrease, and reduces fuel consumption by maintaining stable ignition performance even with smoldering ignition plugs, thereby contributing to environmental preservation.

Implementation Method 1

an ignition coil device that generates the predetermined high voltage, by accumulating energy and releasing the accumulated energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy accumulation and release: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a current detection device that applies a bias voltage to the first electrode and detects a current that flows in the first electrode based on the applied bias voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

an ignition plug that is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode that face each other by the intermediary of a gap and that produces a spark discharge in the gap so that a inflammable fuel-air mixture inside a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is ignited

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Data Source

PatentUS8939132B2Ignition control apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

Ignition is performed in such a way that a bias voltage is applied to a first electrode of an ignition plug and a current detection device detects a current that flows in the first electrode, that based on the value of the detected current, a smolder level detection device detects the level of a smolder produced in the ignition plug, and that a control device controls, based on the detected smolder level, at least one of the timing of ignition, the number of ignition events per power stroke of an internal combustion engine, and the amount of energy accumulated in an ignition coil device.