Ignition Spring With Nested Turns For Electric Field Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition arrangements for internal combustion engines face challenges in preventing voltage breakdowns at the spark plug due to high electrical field density, which can lead to electrical breakdowns.
Innovation Solution
A spring configuration with external turns that extend from the ignition coil-side end to the spark plug-side end, where the spring wire continues as internal turns within the external turns, positioning the sharp contours inside and creating a homogeneous electrical field distribution, and internal turns that taper away from the spark plug-side end to form a recess for the spark plug contact, reducing electrical field density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conical spring end is used to transfer ignition voltage, then voltage transfer is improved, but high electrical field density at the free wire end causes voltage breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The spring wire is configured with internal turns nested within external turns, creating a nested structure where the internal turns are positioned inside the external turns. This nesting arrangement shields the sharp contours and free wire ends from exposing to the external environment, thereby reducing electrical field density and preventing voltage breakdowns while maintaining effective voltage transfer to the spark plug
Solution Approach 2:
The internal turns act as an intermediary structure between the sharp wire ends and the external electrical field. By positioning the internal turns within the external turns, they serve as a mediating element that redistributes and shields the electrical field, preventing direct exposure of high field density areas and eliminating voltage breakdowns
2Reliability
If the spring wire end forms a sharp termination, then electrical connection is achieved, but high electrical field strength causes voltage breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The spring wire is configured to form continuous curved turns rather than sharp linear terminations. The internal turns create a curved, rounded structure that distributes the electrical field more uniformly, eliminating concentrated field strength at sharp edges and preventing voltage breakdowns while maintaining electrical connection
3Reliability
If internal turns are added within external turns, then electrical field distribution is homogenized, but spring structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal and external turns are merged into a single continuous spring wire structure rather than being separate components. This merging approach creates the complex nested turn pattern needed for field homogenization while using a single wire element, thereby achieving uniform electrical field distribution without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity
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 design effectively reduces the risk of voltage breakdowns by maintaining a homogeneous electrical field distribution and providing a secure socket for the spark plug contact, enhancing the reliability of voltage transfer to the spark plug.
Implementation Method 1
A high electrical field density prevails at this free wire end, which in turn results in a high electrical field strength. This high energy density needs to be controlled in order to prevent voltage breakdowns.
Implementation Method 2
a spring for electrically connecting the spark plug to the voltage connection
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug, an ignition coil with a voltage connection, and a spring for electrically connecting the spark plug to the voltage connection. A continuous spring wire in the form of external turns extends from an ignition coil-side end of the spring to a spark plug-side end of the spring. The spring wire at the spark plug-side end continues in the form of internal turns within the external turns in a direction toward the ignition coil-side end.