Ignition Output Stage Discrete Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for energizing ignition output stages require expensive ASICs and complex charge pumps, which are costly and unnecessary for simple voltage regulation, especially during ignition pulses when energy reserves are depleted.
Innovation Solution
A device using discrete components, including a transistor, capacitor, and supply circuit with a resistor, where the capacitor solely charges the transistor's gate and a diode or zener diode stabilizes the voltage, eliminating the need for an ASIC and reducing component count and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ASIC with charge pump is used to regulate voltage for ignition output stages, then voltage regulation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of voltage regulation from the complex ASIC and implements it using discrete components. Specifically, the capacitor is taken out to solely charge the transistor gate, separating this function from the integrated circuit and enabling simpler external implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive ASIC with inexpensive discrete components (transistor, capacitor, resistor, diode). These simple components achieve the required voltage regulation function without the high cost and complexity of integrated circuits, effectively using cheap components to replace expensive ones.
2Reliability
If an ASIC with charge pump is used to maintain gate voltage during energy reserve dips, then ignition current delivery is reliable, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive discrete components (transistor, capacitor, resistor, diode) to replace expensive ASIC. The capacitor stores energy to maintain gate voltage during supply dips, and the diode prevents discharge, achieving reliable ignition current delivery at low manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor is precharged to a voltage higher than the minimum required for transistor conduction before energy reserve dips occur. This preliminary charging ensures that the gate voltage is maintained even when the supply voltage drops, guaranteeing reliable ignition current delivery without requiring complex active regulation.
3Power
If a capacitor charges the transistor gate during ignition, then ignition current is provided, but gate voltage drops when energy reserve depletes
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is precharged to a voltage higher than the minimum required for transistor conduction before the ignition event or energy reserve depletion occurs. This ensures that even when the supply voltage drops, the capacitor can maintain the gate voltage at the required level, ensuring the transistor remains conductive and ignition current continues to flow reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the energy reserve and the transistor gate. It decouples the gate voltage from direct dependence on the energy reserve voltage, allowing the gate to maintain its voltage even when the reserve depletes, thus ensuring continuous ignition current provision.
4Ease of manufacture
If discrete components are used instead of ASIC, then cost and complexity are reduced, but voltage regulation precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the transistor by precharging the capacitor to a voltage significantly higher than the minimum conduction threshold. This parameter change creates a voltage margin that compensates for the lower precision of discrete components, ensuring reliable voltage regulation without requiring high-precision components.
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 solution allows for cost-effective, efficient energization of ignition output stages by maintaining gate voltage during energy reserve dips, ensuring reliable ignition current delivery without the need for expensive ASICs, thus reducing overall system costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor (122) which is connected to the gate connection and is designed to provide the control voltage to the gate connection
Implementation Method 2
The supply circuit can have a component which is designed to prevent the capacitor from discharging via the resistor
Implementation Method 3
The supply circuit can have a zener diode which is connected to the capacitor in order to stabilize the control voltage
Implementation Method 4
the transistor becomes conductive and can provide the ignition current
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2d
Figure 2e~2f
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for energizing an ignition end stage, comprising a transistor (120), a capacitor (122) and a supply circuit (124). The transistor (120) comprises a control input and is designed to provide an ignition current depending on a control voltage present at the control input. The capacitor (122) is connected to the control input of the transistor (120) and is designed to provide the control voltage to the control input. The supply circuit (124) comprises a resistor (231), which is connected between the capacitor (122) and a supply voltage connection (116), wherein the supply circuit (124) is designed to charge the capacitor (122) via the resistor to the control voltage.