Ignition Voltage Regulation via Microcontroller Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition systems for gas-fired appliances face challenges in maintaining stable flame sense and spark voltages, which are affected by component variations, temperature, and power supply fluctuations, leading to inconsistent flame detection and spark energy.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller-based ignition system that utilizes a comparator, PWM circuit, DC/DC voltage converters, and feedback circuits to regulate flame sense and spark voltages to precise levels, ensuring stability and consistency across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If voltage regulation is implemented using traditional circuits, then voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog voltage regulation circuits with a digital microcontroller-based system. The microcontroller (e.g., PIC16F877) implements voltage regulation through software control of a DC/DC converter, eliminating complex analog components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the duty cycle parameter of the DC/DC converter based on feedback from voltage dividers and comparator circuits. By changing this control parameter rather than using fixed resistance values, the system achieves stable voltage output across varying input conditions without requiring precision-resistance components.
2Measurement precision
If precision voltage regulation is implemented to maintain voltages within narrow tolerances, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback circuits consisting of voltage dividers that sample the regulated output voltage and feed it back to comparator circuits. These comparators compare the sampled voltage against reference thresholds and generate correction signals to the DC/DC converter, enabling precise voltage regulation through continuous feedback rather than open-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediary voltage divider circuits and comparator stages between the DC/DC converter and the microcontroller. These intermediaries translate precise analog voltage levels into digital control signals, allowing the microcontroller to maintain precise voltage regulation through software without directly interfacing with high-precision analog components.
3Ease of manufacture
If component tolerances are relaxed to ease manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but voltage stability and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation system is self-correcting through its feedback mechanism. Even with components having wide tolerances (e.g., 5% or 10% resistors), the system continuously monitors output voltage and automatically adjusts the DC/DC converter duty cycle to compensate for component variations, maintaining stable operation without requiring precision-matched components.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller dynamically changes the duty cycle parameter of the DC/DC converter based on real-time feedback, compensating for component tolerance variations. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the use of standard-tolerance components while maintaining reliable voltage regulation across all operating conditions.
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 system provides stable flame sense and spark voltages, reducing false detections and enhancing reliability by maintaining voltages within narrow tolerances, independent of input voltage variations and environmental conditions, thus improving safety and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a DC/DC voltage converter coupled to receive the output voltage level from the PWM circuit and configured to generate a regulated flame sense and spark voltage
Implementation Method 2
a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit coupled to the controller to receive the correction signal and configured to generate an output voltage level
Implementation Method 3
a flame sense circuit coupled to receive the regulated flame sense and spark voltage and configured to detect a status of a burner flame
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of ignition systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide exemplary voltage control or regulation for a voltage used for flame detection as well as for spark generation. In one embodiment, flame sensitivity and spark energy can have an increased resistance to component, temperature, and/or power supply variations.