Multi-Charge Ignition System Primary Current Peak Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-charge ignition systems experience high primary current peaks during initial charge, leading to increased copper losses, EMC emissions, and load on onboard power generation, which are undesirable and costly to mitigate without using a DC/DC converter.
Innovation Solution
A multi-charge ignition system with a control unit that manages two coil stages, including switches M2 and M3 to connect primary windings in series during the initial energization phase, reducing the primary current peak by controlling the switches to maintain a continuous ignition fire without the need for a DC/DC converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If multi-charge ignition systems are used to reduce ignition system size and provide continuous spark, then spark duration and energy output are improved, but high primary current peaks occur during initial charge causing increased copper losses and EMC emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system is divided into multiple coil stages (first and second transformer stages) that operate in sequence. Each stage has its own primary and secondary windings, allowing the total ignition energy to be segmented across multiple smaller charges rather than one large charge, thereby reducing peak current while maintaining total energy output and spark duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging and discharging of multiple coil stages in a cyclic manner. The control unit alternates between charging phase (storing energy in coil inductance) and discharge phase (delivering energy to spark plug), creating a continuous periodic action that maintains sustained ignition without requiring high peak currents at any single moment.
2Volume of moving object
If multi-charge ignition systems are used to reduce ignition system size, then system size is reduced, but high primary current peaks occur during initial charge causing increased load on onboard power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system is divided into multiple coil stages (first and second transformer stages) that operate in sequence. Each stage has its own primary and secondary windings, allowing the total ignition energy to be segmented across multiple smaller charges rather than one large charge, thereby reducing peak current while maintaining total energy output and spark duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging and discharging of multiple coil stages in a cyclic manner. The control unit alternates between charging phase (storing energy in coil inductance) and discharge phase (delivering energy to spark plug), creating a continuous periodic action that maintains sustained ignition without requiring high peak currents at any single moment.
3Power
If multi-charge ignition systems are used to provide continuous spark, then ignition energy output is improved, but spark is interrupted during recharge periods causing misfire under high turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coil stages are merged in a coordinated sequence where the discharge of one stage overlaps with the charging of the next stage. The control unit synchronizes the operation of first and second transformer stages so that energy delivery to the spark plug is continuous, eliminating gaps that would cause ignition failure under turbulent combustion conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging and discharging of multiple coil stages in a cyclic manner. The control unit alternates between charging phase (storing energy in coil inductance) and discharge phase (delivering energy to spark plug), creating a continuous periodic action that maintains sustained ignition without requiring high peak currents at any single moment.
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 minimizes high primary current peaks, reducing copper losses and EMC emissions while maintaining a continuous ignition, thus enhancing system performance and reducing wear on spark plugs without the added cost of a DC/DC converter.
Implementation Method 1
a first transformer (T1) including a first primary winding (L1) inductively coupled to a first secondary winding (L2); a second transformer (T2) including a second primary winding (L3) inductively coupled to a second secondary winding (L4)
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-charge ignition system including a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two coil stages so as to successively energise and de-energise the coil stages to provide a current to a spark plug, the two stages including a first transformer including a first primary winding inductively coupled to a first secondary winding a second transformer including a second primary winding inductively coupled to a second secondary winding. A first switch is located between the high end side of the first primary winding and the high end side of the second primary winding, and a second switch is located between the low side of the first primary winding and high side of the second primary winding.