Ignition Control Unit Dynamic Discharge for Engine Reliability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for internal combustion engines face challenges in suppressing ignition failures while minimizing power consumption, calorific value, and volume, particularly due to varying gas flow velocities that require adjustments in discharge path length and duration.

Innovation Solution

A control device with an ignition control unit that manages the energization of an ignition coil by releasing first electric energy followed by superposed second electric energy, adjusting based on the gas state around the ignition plug to optimize discharge path formation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of power is outputted for a long time to form a longer discharge path, then ignition reliability is improved, but power consumption, calorific value, and volume of the ignition device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition control unit dynamically adjusts the discharge control based on detected gas flow velocity. When gas flow velocity is high, the control unit outputs a large amount of power for a short time to extend the discharge path quickly. When gas flow velocity is low, the control unit outputs a small amount of power for a long time to maintain the discharge path. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching power output to actual ignition needs rather than using a fixed high-power approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of power output (amount of power and duration) based on the detected gas flow velocity. By detecting gas flow velocity and adjusting discharge control accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between ignition reliability and power consumption, avoiding unnecessary high power output when it is not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a large amount of power is outputted for a long time to maintain discharge path, then ignition reliability is improved, but volume of the ignition device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidignition device volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition control unit dynamically adjusts the discharge control based on detected gas flow velocity. When gas flow velocity is high, the control unit outputs a large amount of power for a short time to extend the discharge path quickly. When gas flow velocity is low, the control unit outputs a small amount of power for a long time to maintain the discharge path. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching power output to actual ignition needs rather than using a fixed high-power approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If discharge path is extended by increasing discharge current, then ignition reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition control unit dynamically adjusts the discharge control based on detected gas flow velocity. When gas flow velocity is high, the control unit outputs a large amount of power for a short time to extend the discharge path quickly. When gas flow velocity is low, the control unit outputs a small amount of power for a long time to maintain the discharge path. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching power output to actual ignition needs rather than using a fixed high-power approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of power output (amount of power and duration) based on the detected gas flow velocity. By detecting gas flow velocity and adjusting discharge control accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between ignition reliability and power consumption, avoiding unnecessary high power output when it is not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces ignition failures, power consumption, calorific value, and ignition device volume by ensuring appropriate discharge path formation and maintenance across different gas flow velocities, improving both power and hardware efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an ignition coil that gives electric energy to an ignition plug that discharges in a cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical breakdown: Electric Spark

Data Source

PatentUS11802534B2Control device for internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is provided to suppress the power consumption, the calorific value, and the volume of an ignition device in an internal combustion engine while suppressing failures in igniting fuel by an ignition plug. To achieve this, a control device 1 for the internal combustion engine includes an ignition control unit that controls energization of an ignition coil 300 that gives electric energy to an ignition plug 200 that discharges in a cylinder 150 of an internal combustion engine 100 to ignite fuel. The ignition control unit controls energization of the ignition coil 300 so that first electric energy is released from the ignition coil 300 while second electric energy is released as electric energy superposed on the first electric energy, the second electric energy changing based on a gas state around the ignition plug 200.