EP0384436B1 - Ignition detecting device of ignition apparatus - Google Patents
Ignition detecting device of ignition apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0384436B1 EP0384436B1 EP19900103350 EP90103350A EP0384436B1 EP 0384436 B1 EP0384436 B1 EP 0384436B1 EP 19900103350 EP19900103350 EP 19900103350 EP 90103350 A EP90103350 A EP 90103350A EP 0384436 B1 EP0384436 B1 EP 0384436B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ignition
- primary
- capacitor
- surge current
- detecting device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P17/00—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
- F02P17/12—Testing characteristics of the spark, ignition voltage or current
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P17/00—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
- F02P2017/006—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines using a capacitive sensor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ignition detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of an ignition spark produced by an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine mainly used in automobiles.
- the former proposal can detect accurately the presence or absence of the occurrence of an ignition spark, however, since it detects a high voltage output waveform appearing on the secondary side of the ignition coil, sufficient insulation becomes necessary for the path through which the secondary side high voltage is introduced into an electronic circuit, and, particularly, there has been a problem that application of this proposal to vehicle-mounted apparatuses is difficult from the viewpoint of the structure and cost.
- the latter proposal detects a flyback voltage produced at the collector of an output transistor for turning on and off a primary winding current of the ignition coil, so that it does not require to introduce a secondary side high voltage into the electronic circuit.
- a flyback voltage is generated even in the absence of an ignition spark, so that, even when the ignition plug requires a voltage higher than the secondary side voltage of the ignition coil or even when a high tension cord is disconnected and hence no ignition spark is generated at the ignition plug, erroneous detection is made to take that an ignition spark occurs normally.
- document EP 0 020 069 discloses an apparatus for use in testing an internal combustion engine ignition system, wherein the ignition system comprises an ignition coil and a semiconductor switch means for controlling the current interruption in the primary coil of the ignition coil.
- a voltage comparator compares the voltage across the switch means with a predetermined voltage. When the voltage across the switch means exceeds said predetermined voltage, the detection result is indicated and a timer circuit is triggered to start a time counting process. The output signals of the timer circuit and the comparator are combined to produce an output signal indicating a satisfactory interruption of the coil current only when the output of the comparator means persists in a state indicating that the voltage has been above said predetermined voltage for less than a predetermined duration.
- the primary side circuit includes a DC power supply having one electrode connected to one end of the primary winding and the other electrode grounded and switching means having one end connected to the other end of the primary winding and the other end grounded and responsive to an ignition signal thereby to be turned on and off
- the secondary side circuit includes ignition plugs one end of each of which is connected to one end of the secondary winding and the other end of each of which is grounded, the other end of the secondary winding being connected to the one end of the primary winding
- the ignition surge current detector means includes a first series circuit of a first diode and a first capacitor charged through the first diode by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which first series circuit is connected between the ground and a junction between the primary and secondary windings, and a second series circuit of a second diode and a second capacitor charged through the second diode by an ignition surge current of the other polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which second series circuit is
- the ignition surge current detector means may include a detection coil wound on a power supply line of the primary side circuit to detect an ignition surge current generated in the power supply line, and integration means for rectifying and integrating a voltage induced in the detection coil.
- the detection coil may be wound on the power supply line interconnecting the junction between the primary and secondary windings with the DC power supply.
- the detection coil may be wound on a power supply line of an amplifier circuit for amplifying the ignition signal.
- the detection coil may be wound on a power supply line of a smoothing capacitor comprised in the amplifier circuit.
- the ignition surge current detector means may include a series circuit of a diode and a capacitor charged through this diode by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which series circuit is connected in parallel with a ground line of the primary side circuit, and the comparator means compares a voltage on the capacitor with a predetermined value.
- the ignition detecting device for use in internal combustion engines has a plurality of ignition coils corresponding to the number of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, a plurality of ignition surge current detector means and a plurality of comparator means are provided in association with each of the ignition coils, and means is provided for validating only an output signal detected by each comparator means at normal ignition timing.
- an AC coupling capacitor is connected between the ungrounded electrode of the DC power supply and a ground line in the ground path of the comparator means, which ground path is provided separately from a ground path of an igniter including the amplifier circuit for amplifying the ignition signal and the output transistor responsive to an output signal of the amplifier circuit to turn on and off a primary winding current, so that an ignition surge current generated in the ignition coil is conducted to the ground line through the AC coupling capacitor, and the ignition surge current detector means and the comparator means are provided separately from the igniter to form an ignition sensor.
- an AC impedance element may be comprised in the ground line.
- a single ignition sensor may be employed commonly to a plurality of ignition coils provided corresponding to the respective engine cylinders, and individual cylinder ignition determining means may be provided to perform a logical operation on an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each of the cylinders to thereby effect ignition detection for individual cylinders.
- an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge by the ignition coil generated in the primary side circuit thereof is detected by the ignition surge current detector means, and the comparator means is responsive to the output signal of the ignition surge current detector means to detect an ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value generated in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil, thereby detecting the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- the first capacitor may be charged with an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit through the first diode connected in series with the first capacitor between the ground and the junction between the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil
- the second capacitor may be charged with an ignition surge current of the other polarity generated in the primary side circuit through the second diode connected in series with the second capacitor between the ground and the junction between the first diode and the first capacitor. Then, a voltage on the second capacitor may be compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to thereby detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- a detection coil wound on the power supply line of the primary side circuit may be used to detect an ignition surge current in the power supply line, and a voltage induced in the detection coil may be rectified and integrated by integration means. Then, the rectified and integrated voltage maybe compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit may be used to charge a capacitor through a diode connected in parallel with the ground line of the primary side circuit. Then, a voltage on the capacitor may be compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- the ignition detecting device of the present invention when the ignition detecting device of the present invention is applied to an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine which ignition apparatus has a plurality of ignition coils corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a plurality of ignition surge current detector means and a plurality of comparator means may be provided in association with each of the ignition coils to detect an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge by each ignition coil, and each comparator means may be used to validate only an output signal detected at normal ignition timing, thereby preventing erroneous detection of noises due to capacitive discharge by ignition coils for other cylinders generated in the primary side circuit.
- the AC coupling capacitor may be connected between the ground line in a ground path of the comparator means, which is provided separately from the ground path of the igniter, and an ungrounded electrode of the DC power supply so that an ignition surge current generated by the ignition coil is conducted to the ground line through the AC coupling capacitor, and the ignition surge current detector means and comparator means may be provided separately from the igniter to form an ignition sensor which detects an ignition surge current flowing through the ground line.
- an AC impedance element may be comprised in the ground line thereby to add an AC impedance to that of the ground line per se.
- a single ignition sensor may be provided commonly to the plurality of ignition coils provided corresponding to the respective engine cylinders, and an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each cylinder may be subjected to a logical operation by individual cylinder ignition determining means to thereby effect ignition detection for each of the engine cylinders.
- reference numeral 1 designates an amplifier circuit for amplifying an ignition signal inputted to an input terminal 1a, and 2 an output transistor which is turned on and off by the output signal of the amplifier circuit 1.
- Designated by 3 is an ignition coil having a primary winding, a current in which is turned on and off by the output transistor 2, and a secondary winding, one end of which is connected to a positive polarity terminal 3b of the primary winding and the other end 3a of which is connected to an ignition distributor 4 constructed to distribute a high voltage to a plurality of ignition plugs 4a.
- Designated by 5 is a key switch, and designated by 6 is a battery having a positive polarity terminal connected to the primary winding positive polarity terminal 3b via the key switch 5 and having a negative polarity terminal grounded.
- Designated by 10a and 10b are ignition surge current detector means and comparator means, respectively, which constitute an ignition sensor and are constructed as will be described hereinafter.
- Denoted by 11 and 12 are respectively first and second capacitors, denoted by 13 and 14 are respectively first and second diodes, denoted by 15, 16 and 17 are respectively resistors, and denoted by 18 is a comparator.
- This surge current is a high frequency current of about 100 MHz, as shown at (b) in Fig. 2, having a peak value amounting to several amperes to several tens of amperes.
- a backward ignition surge current When a backward ignition surge current is generated, it flows from the ignition plugs 4a through the ground and the first diode 13 to discharge an electric charge stored in the first capacitor 11.
- the high frequency ignition surge current is subjected to full wave rectification by the provision of the capacitors 11, 12 and diodes 13, 14 so as to charge the capacitor 12 as shown at (c) in Fig. 2.
- the charging voltage is compared in the comparator 18 with a reference voltage Vref determined by a voltage dividing ratio defined by the resistors 16 and 17, thereby producing an output pulse as shown at (d) in Fig. 2. Accordingly, in the event that ignition fails for a certain reason, the high frequency ignition surge current is not produced and no output pulse is generated. Therefore, by examining the presence or absence of the output pulse by any method not shown here, for example, by such a method as described in JP-A-56-143326, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a misfire.
- ignition coils 3 are provided in association with individual ignition plugs.
- This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in addition to the ignition sensor 10a and 10b, a delay circuit 20 and an AND circuit 30 are additionally provided for each cylinder, wherein the delay circuit is operative to generate a delay pulse of a predetermined time width in synchronism with the timing of falling of the ignition signal and it is formed by a falling time triggered monostable multivibrator, for example. Additional components are required for eliminating the influence of noises concomitant with ignition spark produced in adjacent cylinders when a plurality of ignition coils 3 are used. The noise eliminating operation will be described below.
- an output signal of the comparator 18 is output directly, however, it is a matter of course that the comparator may be used in combination with a monostable multivibrator circuit to attain similar effects.
- a delay pulse signal may be utilized to mask the capacitor 12 directly.
- a delay pulse signal may be utilized to mask the capacitor 12 directly.
- a detection coil 50 for spark surge current detection is wound on a positive polarity power supply line of an ignition coil 3 one end of whose secondary winding is connected to positive polarity terminal 3b of its primary winding.
- the diode 41 and resistor 43 constitute along with the resistor 47 and capacitor 42, integration means 40a, which in turn constitutes, together with the detection coil 50, ignition surge current detector means.
- a charging voltage of the capacitor 42 is compared in a comparator 46 with a reference voltage determined by resistors 44 and 45 to produce an output signal.
- the resistors 44, 45 and the comparator 46 constitute comparator means 40b.
- the third embodiment utilizes the detection coil 50 provided on the spark surge current path on the ignition coil primary side, but it is obvious that similar effects are expected to be obtained.
- a detection coil 50 may be wound on a power supply line of an ignition amplifier 1, or like in a fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a detection coil 50 may be wound on a power supply line for a power supply smoothing capacitor 1b comprised in an ignition amplifier 1.
- Fig. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention wherein, in parallel with a ground line 19 for interconnecting a junction of a ground terminal of an amplifier 1, one end of a resistor 17 and the emitter of an output transistor 2 with the ground, a series circuit of a diode 13 and a capacitor 12, which constitutes ignition surge current detector means 10a, is connected, and, between the ground line 19 and a primary winding positive polarity terminal 3b, a smoothing capacitor 1c is connected.
- the ground line 19 can be used to have an inductance which can provide, at an ignition surge current which is a high frequency current of about 100 MHz, an impedance or a voltage drop sufficient to render the diode 13 conductive.
- the ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge caused by an ignition coil 3 flows from ignition plugs 4a to the primary winding positive polarity terminal 3b through the ground, the diode 13, the capacitor 12 and the smoothing capacitor 1c, thereby charging the capacitor 12 to afford a polarity as shown.
- a charging voltage of the capacitor 12 is compared in comparator means 10b with a predetermined value to detect the presence or absence of ignition spark.
- the amplifier circuit 1, the ignition surge current detector means 10a, the comparator means 10b and the like are formed on a thick film substrate 61. And, connected to electrical conductors printed on the thick film substrate 61 are the capacitor 12 in the form of a chip capacitor and the diode 13 in the form of a flip chip type diode. An electrical conductor standing for the ground line 19 is grounded to a metal case 63 by way of an aluminum wire bond 62.
- the length of the ground line 19 is varied to change a ratio L2/L1, and the relation between the ratio and the terminal voltage of the capacitor 12 at the time of normal ignition is examined. Then, a characteristic as shown in Fig. 10 is obtained, indicating that the greater the ratio L2/L1 is, the higher becomes the terminal voltage of the capacitor 12. Therefore, by using the relation between the ratio and the terminal voltage of the capacitor 12, the setting of the reference voltage of the comparator means 10b can be made to have a voltage slightly lower than the terminal voltage of the capacitor 12, thus making it possible to accurately check whether normal ignition spark has taken place or not.
- the detection coil 50 employed in the third to fifth embodiments can be omitted to simplify the construction, and the voltage drop across the impedance of the ground line 19 can be rendered immune to variations in the power supply voltage.
- the smoothing capacitor 1b is contained in the amplifier circuit 1, it is not necessary for the ignition surge current detector means 10a to be provided with the smoothing capacitor 1c.
- ground line 19 is connected in common to the amplifier circuit 1, the output transistor 2 and the comparator means 10b, the common use of the ground line 19 is not always necessary and the series circuit of the diode 13 and the capacitor 12 may be connected in parallel with at least a part of ground lines provided in association with the above components.
- Fig. 11 illustrates a seventh embodiment in which, as compared with the sixth embodiment, comparator means 10b has a ground path separate from that of an igniter 1A, which includes an amplifier circuit 1 and an output transistor 2, and has its ground line 19 provided in the ground path of the comparator means 10b.
- An AC coupling capacitor 1c is connected between the ground line 19 and a primary winding positive polarity terminal 3b connected commonly to ignition coils 3, thereby ensuring that an ignition surge current caused by each ignition coil 3 is conducted to the ground line 19 through the AC coupling capacitor 1c.
- the ignition surge current detector means 10a and the comparator means 10b are arranged to be separate from the igniter 1A to form an ignition sensor.
- the thus constructed single ignition sensor is used commonly to individual ignition coils 3 provided corresponding to individual engine cylinders, and there are provided individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 operable to perform a logical operation on an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each cylinder in order to effect ignition detection for each cylinder.
- 1B designates a well known electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to receive various engine parameters such as an engine rotational speed, an engine load state, etc. so as to calculate and deliver ignition signals T1 to T4 for individual cylinders.
- ECU electronice control unit
- Denoted by 60 is an ignition detection pulse generator circuit operative to receive signals obtained by the differentiation of falling portions of the ignition signals T1 to T4 from the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 and an output signal of the comparator means 10b and to output ignition detection pulses, the ignition detection pulse generator circuit 60 comprising transistors 61 to 64, resistors 65 to 69 and a delay circuit 70.
- Denoted by 80 is a constant voltage circuit connected to receive an output voltage of a battery 6 to produce a constant output voltage.
- the number of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is equal to the number of engine cylinders.
- Each individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 comprises transistors 201 to 206, resistors 207 to 216, a capacitor 217, a diode 218, and logical elements 219 and 220.
- Denoted by 300 are display units respectively connected to the outputs of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 to display the ignition state of individual engine cylinders by means of light emitting diodes.
- Fig. 12 illustrates at T1 to T4 ignition signals outputted from the electronic control unit (ECU) 1B corresponding to individual cylinders, the individual ignition plugs 4a being caused to fire at the falling edges of the individual ignition signals.
- the comparator means 10b delivers, in the state of normal ignition, positive pulses as shown at (A) in Fig. 12 immediately after each ignition time.
- the individual ignition signals T1 to T4 applied to the ignitor 1A are branched respectively to the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200.
- Each ignition signal for each cylinder supplied to each individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is differentiated by the transistor 201 and capacitor 217, thus producing a differential pulse at the falling edge of the ignition signal T1, T2, T3 or T4, as shown at (B) in Fig. 12.
- the ignition detection pulse generator circuit 60 operates to generate at the collector of the transistor 64 an ignition detection pulse as shown at (C) in Fig. 21 during a short interval of time from the falling edge of the ignition signal T1, T2, T3 or T4 to the time of generation of the ignition detection pulse shown at (A) in Fig. 12 in the comparator means 10b.
- an ignition pulse having a long duration time from the falling edge of the ignition signal T4 to time t2, at which ignition corresponding to the succeeding ignition signal T1 occurs is generated by the transistor 64 of the ignition detection pulse generator circuit 60.
- the ignition detection pulses are delayed through the delay circuit 70 so that the ignition detection pulse generator circuit 60 produces an output signal waveform as shown at (D) in Fig. 12.
- the ignition state of an engine cylinder can be determined in accordance with the waveform (D), by deciding whether the waveform of a delayed ignition detection pulse is at high or low level at the timing of the falling edge of an ignition signal for the succeeding cylinder. More specifically, in the case that an ignition failure occurs in an engine cylinder corresponding to the ignition signal T4 at time t1 as shown in Fig. 12, a pulse signal waveform as shown at (E) in Fig.
- the ignition determination signal then drives a display unit 300 associated with the corresponding cylinder so that the display unit 300 is operated to turn on, for example, a light emitting diode, thereby making it possible for a user to visually confirm an engine cylinder which is subject to ignition failure.
- Fig. 13 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention in which, as compared with the seventh embodiment, the function of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is implemented by software of a microcomputer in an electronic control unit 1B so that fuel injection to a cylinder associated with an ignition plug 4a, at which ignition failure has occured, may be stopped.
- reference numeral 19a designates an AC impedance element, such as resistance, inductance or the like, provided in the ignition surge current detector means 10a.
- the AC impedance element 19a is inserted in a ground line 19 so that it may be effective in increasing the value of an AC impedance of the ground line 19 when it is to small.
- the comparator means 10b is composed of a resistor 13a and a transistor 18b.
- Denoted by 300 is a monostable multivibrator which is triggered by an output signal of the comparator means 10b to produce an output pulse of a predetermined time width (for example, 1.5 ms)
- denoted by 400 is an output circuit constructed to supply an output signal from the monostable multivibrator 300 to the electronic control unit 1B. All the aforesaid circuits 10a, 10b, 300 and 400, along with a constant voltage circuit 30, are incorporated to form an ignition sensor 500 which is separated from the igniter 1A shown in Fig. 11 and the electronic control unit 1B.
- the separate provision of the ignition sensor 500 as described above permits the provision of the ignition sensor 500 in the form of a discrete attachment without requiring to change the internal construction of the igniter 1A and the electronic control unit 1B, thus increasing the degree of freedom of design.
- an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge caused by the ignition coil, which ignition surge current is generated in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil is detected by the ignition surge current detector means, and in accordance with the output signal of the ignition surge current detector means, an ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value occurring in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil is detected by the comparator means.
- An ignition detecting device for use in an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine comprises ignition surge current detector means (10a) for detecting an ignition surge current generated in a primary circuit of an ignition coil (3) due to capacitive discharge of the ignition coil (3), and comparator means (10b) for comparing an output voltage of the ignition surge current detector means (10a) with a predetermined reference voltage (Vref) to detect the generation of the ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value, thereby making it possible to detect accurately occurrence or nonoccurrence of ignition spark.
Description
- The present invention relates to an ignition detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of an ignition spark produced by an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine mainly used in automobiles.
- With recent development of electronic implementation of fuel injection apparatuses, ignition apparatuses, exhaust gas control apparatuses and the like, it has been emphasized that an adverse influence of these apparatuses on an exhaust gas, when they are in failure, should be taken carefully into consideration.
- This type of apparatuses should function to determine whether an ignition spark is produced normally in combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. Therefore, several proposals have hitherto been made to determine whether normal ignition spark is produced or not by electronically analyzing a high voltage output waveform on the secondary side of an ignition coil (for example, US-A-3942102 specification), to detect a flyback voltage produced at the collector of an output transistor for turning on and off a primary winding current of an ignition coil (for example, JP-A-56-143326), etc.
- The former proposal can detect accurately the presence or absence of the occurrence of an ignition spark, however, since it detects a high voltage output waveform appearing on the secondary side of the ignition coil, sufficient insulation becomes necessary for the path through which the secondary side high voltage is introduced into an electronic circuit, and, particularly, there has been a problem that application of this proposal to vehicle-mounted apparatuses is difficult from the viewpoint of the structure and cost.
- The latter proposal, on the other hand, detects a flyback voltage produced at the collector of an output transistor for turning on and off a primary winding current of the ignition coil, so that it does not require to introduce a secondary side high voltage into the electronic circuit. However, there is a problem that, whenever a high voltage is produced at the secondary side of the ignition coil, a flyback voltage is generated even in the absence of an ignition spark, so that, even when the ignition plug requires a voltage higher than the secondary side voltage of the ignition coil or even when a high tension cord is disconnected and hence no ignition spark is generated at the ignition plug, erroneous detection is made to take that an ignition spark occurs normally.
- Furthermore,
document EP 0 020 069 discloses an apparatus for use in testing an internal combustion engine ignition system, wherein the ignition system comprises an ignition coil and a semiconductor switch means for controlling the current interruption in the primary coil of the ignition coil. A voltage comparator compares the voltage across the switch means with a predetermined voltage. When the voltage across the switch means exceeds said predetermined voltage, the detection result is indicated and a timer circuit is triggered to start a time counting process. The output signals of the timer circuit and the comparator are combined to produce an output signal indicating a satisfactory interruption of the coil current only when the output of the comparator means persists in a state indicating that the voltage has been above said predetermined voltage for less than a predetermined duration. - It is therefore the object of the present invention to solve the afore-mentioned problems and to detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark produced by an ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines.
- This object is accomplished by an ignition detecting device as claimed in
claim 1. - In the above-described construction of the ignition detecting device according to the present invention, the primary side circuit includes a DC power supply having one electrode connected to one end of the primary winding and the other electrode grounded and switching means having one end connected to the other end of the primary winding and the other end grounded and responsive to an ignition signal thereby to be turned on and off, the secondary side circuit includes ignition plugs one end of each of which is connected to one end of the secondary winding and the other end of each of which is grounded, the other end of the secondary winding being connected to the one end of the primary winding, the ignition surge current detector means includes a first series circuit of a first diode and a first capacitor charged through the first diode by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which first series circuit is connected between the ground and a junction between the primary and secondary windings, and a second series circuit of a second diode and a second capacitor charged through the second diode by an ignition surge current of the other polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which second series circuit is connected between the ground and a junction between the first diode and the first capacitor, and the comparator means compares a voltage on the second capacitor with a predetermined value.
- Further, the ignition surge current detector means may include a detection coil wound on a power supply line of the primary side circuit to detect an ignition surge current generated in the power supply line, and integration means for rectifying and integrating a voltage induced in the detection coil.
- In this case, the detection coil may be wound on the power supply line interconnecting the junction between the primary and secondary windings with the DC power supply.
- As an alternative, the detection coil may be wound on a power supply line of an amplifier circuit for amplifying the ignition signal.
- In a further alternative, the detection coil may be wound on a power supply line of a smoothing capacitor comprised in the amplifier circuit.
- In a modification of the construction, the ignition surge current detector means may include a series circuit of a diode and a capacitor charged through this diode by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit, which series circuit is connected in parallel with a ground line of the primary side circuit, and the comparator means compares a voltage on the capacitor with a predetermined value.
- In a further modification of the construction, the ignition detecting device for use in internal combustion engines has a plurality of ignition coils corresponding to the number of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, a plurality of ignition surge current detector means and a plurality of comparator means are provided in association with each of the ignition coils, and means is provided for validating only an output signal detected by each comparator means at normal ignition timing. In another modification of the construction, an AC coupling capacitor is connected between the ungrounded electrode of the DC power supply and a ground line in the ground path of the comparator means, which ground path is provided separately from a ground path of an igniter including the amplifier circuit for amplifying the ignition signal and the output transistor responsive to an output signal of the amplifier circuit to turn on and off a primary winding current, so that an ignition surge current generated in the ignition coil is conducted to the ground line through the AC coupling capacitor, and the ignition surge current detector means and the comparator means are provided separately from the igniter to form an ignition sensor.
- In an alternative, an AC impedance element may be comprised in the ground line.
- In a separate modification of the construction, a single ignition sensor may be employed commonly to a plurality of ignition coils provided corresponding to the respective engine cylinders, and individual cylinder ignition determining means may be provided to perform a logical operation on an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each of the cylinders to thereby effect ignition detection for individual cylinders.
- In the ignition detecting device of an ignition apparatus of the present invention, an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge by the ignition coil generated in the primary side circuit thereof is detected by the ignition surge current detector means, and the comparator means is responsive to the output signal of the ignition surge current detector means to detect an ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value generated in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil, thereby detecting the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- In the ignition surge current detector means, the first capacitor may be charged with an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit through the first diode connected in series with the first capacitor between the ground and the junction between the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil, and the second capacitor may be charged with an ignition surge current of the other polarity generated in the primary side circuit through the second diode connected in series with the second capacitor between the ground and the junction between the first diode and the first capacitor. Then, a voltage on the second capacitor may be compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to thereby detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- As an alternative construction of the ignition surge current detector means, a detection coil wound on the power supply line of the primary side circuit may be used to detect an ignition surge current in the power supply line, and a voltage induced in the detection coil may be rectified and integrated by integration means. Then, the rectified and integrated voltage maybe compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- As a further alternative construction of the ignition surge current detector means, an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in the primary side circuit may be used to charge a capacitor through a diode connected in parallel with the ground line of the primary side circuit. Then, a voltage on the capacitor may be compared with a predetermined value by the comparator means to detect the presence or absence of an ignition spark.
- Further, when the ignition detecting device of the present invention is applied to an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine which ignition apparatus has a plurality of ignition coils corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a plurality of ignition surge current detector means and a plurality of comparator means may be provided in association with each of the ignition coils to detect an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge by each ignition coil, and each comparator means may be used to validate only an output signal detected at normal ignition timing, thereby preventing erroneous detection of noises due to capacitive discharge by ignition coils for other cylinders generated in the primary side circuit.
- Further, the AC coupling capacitor may be connected between the ground line in a ground path of the comparator means, which is provided separately from the ground path of the igniter, and an ungrounded electrode of the DC power supply so that an ignition surge current generated by the ignition coil is conducted to the ground line through the AC coupling capacitor, and the ignition surge current detector means and comparator means may be provided separately from the igniter to form an ignition sensor which detects an ignition surge current flowing through the ground line.
- As a modification of the construction, an AC impedance element may be comprised in the ground line thereby to add an AC impedance to that of the ground line per se.
- As a further modification of the construction, a single ignition sensor may be provided commonly to the plurality of ignition coils provided corresponding to the respective engine cylinders, and an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each cylinder may be subjected to a logical operation by individual cylinder ignition determining means to thereby effect ignition detection for each of the engine cylinders.
- The afore-mentioned and further modifications are specified in the corresponding dependent subclaims.
- The advantages of the invention will become apparent and obvious to those skilled in the pertinent art upon referring to the following description provided in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:
- Fig. 1 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an ignition detecting device of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a waveform diagram useful for explaining the operation of the device shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the device of the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a waveform diagram useful for explaining the operation of the device shown in Fig. 3.
- Figs. 5 to 8 are electric circuit diagrams illustrating the third to sixth embodiments of the device of the present invention, respectively.
- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a practical construction of the essential part of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 10 is a graph showing the relation between the wiring length ratio and the capacitor terminal voltage in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 11 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating a seventh embodiment of the device of the present invention.
- Fig. 12 is a waveform diagram illustrating waveforms appearing at various portions of the device shown in Fig. 11 which is useful for explaining the operation of the device.
- Fig. 13 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating an eighth embodiment of the device of the present invention.
- A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to an electric circuit diagram shown in Fig. 1 and an operation waveform diagram shown in Fig. 2.
- In Fig. 1,
reference numeral 1 designates an amplifier circuit for amplifying an ignition signal inputted to aninput terminal 1a, and 2 an output transistor which is turned on and off by the output signal of theamplifier circuit 1. Designated by 3 is an ignition coil having a primary winding, a current in which is turned on and off by theoutput transistor 2, and a secondary winding, one end of which is connected to apositive polarity terminal 3b of the primary winding and theother end 3a of which is connected to anignition distributor 4 constructed to distribute a high voltage to a plurality ofignition plugs 4a. Designated by 5 is a key switch, and designated by 6 is a battery having a positive polarity terminal connected to the primary windingpositive polarity terminal 3b via thekey switch 5 and having a negative polarity terminal grounded. - Designated by 10a and 10b are ignition surge current detector means and comparator means, respectively, which constitute an ignition sensor and are constructed as will be described hereinafter. Denoted by 11 and 12 are respectively first and second capacitors, denoted by 13 and 14 are respectively first and second diodes, denoted by 15, 16 and 17 are respectively resistors, and denoted by 18 is a comparator.
- The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the construction as mentioned above will now be described.
- Firstly, when the
output transistor 2 is turned on and then turned off by an ignition signal which is shown at (a) in Fig. 2 and applied through theamplifier circuit 1 to theoutput transistor 2, a high voltage is generated in the secondary winding of theignition coil 3. This high voltage is supplied through theignition distributor 4 torespective ignition plugs 4a to cause them to ignite normally and at that time an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge caused by theignition coil 3 is generated and flows from theignition plugs 4a through the secondary winding of theignition coil 3, thefirst capacitor 11, thesecond diode 14 and thesecond capacitor 12 to thereby charge thesecond capacitor 12 providing a polarity as shown in Fig. 1. - This surge current is a high frequency current of about 100 MHz, as shown at (b) in Fig. 2, having a peak value amounting to several amperes to several tens of amperes. When a backward ignition surge current is generated, it flows from the
ignition plugs 4a through the ground and thefirst diode 13 to discharge an electric charge stored in thefirst capacitor 11. In this manner, the high frequency ignition surge current is subjected to full wave rectification by the provision of thecapacitors diodes capacitor 12 as shown at (c) in Fig. 2. Subsequently, the charging voltage is compared in thecomparator 18 with a reference voltage Vref determined by a voltage dividing ratio defined by theresistors - Referring now to Fig. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment,
ignition coils 3 are provided in association with individual ignition plugs. This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in addition to theignition sensor delay circuit 20 and anAND circuit 30 are additionally provided for each cylinder, wherein the delay circuit is operative to generate a delay pulse of a predetermined time width in synchronism with the timing of falling of the ignition signal and it is formed by a falling time triggered monostable multivibrator, for example. Additional components are required for eliminating the influence of noises concomitant with ignition spark produced in adjacent cylinders when a plurality ofignition coils 3 are used. The noise eliminating operation will be described below. In addition to a normal ignition surge current b1 corresponding to an ignition signal of a particular cylinder as shown at (a) in Fig. 4, noise currents b2 and b3 due to ignition spark produced in adjacent cylinders appear, as shown at (b) in Fig. 4, to give charging voltages to thecapacitor 12 as shown at (c) in Fig. 4. Consequently, theignition sensor circuit 30 the pulses d1 to d3 and a delayed output pulse of thedelay circuit 20 as shown at (e) in Fig. 4, the adverse influence of noises can be eliminated as shown at (f) in Fig. 4. - It is to be noted that, in the previously-described first embodiment, an output signal of the
comparator 18 is output directly, however, it is a matter of course that the comparator may be used in combination with a monostable multivibrator circuit to attain similar effects. - Further, in the aforementioned second embodiment, though a logical operation was performed by using a delay pulse caused by an ignition signal, it is not necessary to be limited to this method, but a delay pulse signal may be utilized to mask the
capacitor 12 directly. In other words, if the potential of thecapacitor 12 is short-circuited at timings other than that of generation of a normal ignition surge current, similar effects are expected to be obtained. - A third embodiment of the invention will now be described. In the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a
detection coil 50 for spark surge current detection is wound on a positive polarity power supply line of anignition coil 3 one end of whose secondary winding is connected topositive polarity terminal 3b of its primary winding. When a spark surge current generated by capacitive discharge caused by theignition coil 3 flows from ignition plugs 4a through anignition distributor 4 and an ignition coil secondary winding to the positive polarity power supply line, this current flow is detected by thedetection coil 50 and the detected high frequency current is rectified through adiode 41 and charges acapacitor 42 via aresistor 43. Thediode 41 andresistor 43 constitute along with theresistor 47 andcapacitor 42, integration means 40a, which in turn constitutes, together with thedetection coil 50, ignition surge current detector means. A charging voltage of thecapacitor 42 is compared in acomparator 46 with a reference voltage determined byresistors resistors comparator 46 constitute comparator means 40b. Thus, in contrast to the first and second embodiments wherein the spark surge current is detected inside thedetection circuit 10a, the third embodiment utilizes thedetection coil 50 provided on the spark surge current path on the ignition coil primary side, but it is obvious that similar effects are expected to be obtained. - Also, like in a fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a
detection coil 50 may be wound on a power supply line of anignition amplifier 1, or like in a fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 7, adetection coil 50 may be wound on a power supply line for a power supply smoothing capacitor 1b comprised in anignition amplifier 1. With the above constructions, it is obvious that similar effects may be expected to be obtained. - Fig. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention wherein, in parallel with a
ground line 19 for interconnecting a junction of a ground terminal of anamplifier 1, one end of aresistor 17 and the emitter of anoutput transistor 2 with the ground, a series circuit of adiode 13 and acapacitor 12, which constitutes ignition surge current detector means 10a, is connected, and, between theground line 19 and a primary windingpositive polarity terminal 3b, a smoothingcapacitor 1c is connected. In accordance with this sixth embodiment, theground line 19 can be used to have an inductance which can provide, at an ignition surge current which is a high frequency current of about 100 MHz, an impedance or a voltage drop sufficient to render thediode 13 conductive. Accordingly, the ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge caused by anignition coil 3 flows from ignition plugs 4a to the primary windingpositive polarity terminal 3b through the ground, thediode 13, thecapacitor 12 and the smoothingcapacitor 1c, thereby charging thecapacitor 12 to afford a polarity as shown. A charging voltage of thecapacitor 12 is compared in comparator means 10b with a predetermined value to detect the presence or absence of ignition spark. - In the case of the sixth embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the
amplifier circuit 1, the ignition surge current detector means 10a, the comparator means 10b and the like are formed on athick film substrate 61. And, connected to electrical conductors printed on thethick film substrate 61 are thecapacitor 12 in the form of a chip capacitor and thediode 13 in the form of a flip chip type diode. An electrical conductor standing for theground line 19 is grounded to ametal case 63 by way of analuminum wire bond 62. When the series circuit of thediode 13 and thecapacitor 12 has a wiring length L1 and theground line 19 has wiring length L2, the length of theground line 19 is varied to change a ratio L2/L1, and the relation between the ratio and the terminal voltage of thecapacitor 12 at the time of normal ignition is examined. Then, a characteristic as shown in Fig. 10 is obtained, indicating that the greater the ratio L2/L1 is, the higher becomes the terminal voltage of thecapacitor 12. Therefore, by using the relation between the ratio and the terminal voltage of thecapacitor 12, the setting of the reference voltage of the comparator means 10b can be made to have a voltage slightly lower than the terminal voltage of thecapacitor 12, thus making it possible to accurately check whether normal ignition spark has taken place or not. Advantageously, in the sixth embodiment utilizing the impedance of theground line 19, thedetection coil 50 employed in the third to fifth embodiments can be omitted to simplify the construction, and the voltage drop across the impedance of theground line 19 can be rendered immune to variations in the power supply voltage. - Obviously, if in the sixth embodiment the smoothing capacitor 1b is contained in the
amplifier circuit 1, it is not necessary for the ignition surge current detector means 10a to be provided with the smoothingcapacitor 1c. - It is to be noted that, though in the sixth embodiment the
ground line 19 is connected in common to theamplifier circuit 1, theoutput transistor 2 and the comparator means 10b, the common use of theground line 19 is not always necessary and the series circuit of thediode 13 and thecapacitor 12 may be connected in parallel with at least a part of ground lines provided in association with the above components. - It is also to be noted that in the sixth embodiment the relation of connection between the
diode 13 and thecapacitor 12 can be exchanged so that the comparator means 10b may detect a negative polarity side voltage of thecapacitor 12. - Fig. 11 illustrates a seventh embodiment in which, as compared with the sixth embodiment, comparator means 10b has a ground path separate from that of an
igniter 1A, which includes anamplifier circuit 1 and anoutput transistor 2, and has itsground line 19 provided in the ground path of the comparator means 10b. AnAC coupling capacitor 1c is connected between theground line 19 and a primary windingpositive polarity terminal 3b connected commonly toignition coils 3, thereby ensuring that an ignition surge current caused by eachignition coil 3 is conducted to theground line 19 through theAC coupling capacitor 1c. The ignition surge current detector means 10a and the comparator means 10b are arranged to be separate from theigniter 1A to form an ignition sensor. The thus constructed single ignition sensor is used commonly toindividual ignition coils 3 provided corresponding to individual engine cylinders, and there are provided individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 operable to perform a logical operation on an output signal of the ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each cylinder in order to effect ignition detection for each cylinder. - Referring to Fig. 11, 1B designates a well known electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to receive various engine parameters such as an engine rotational speed, an engine load state, etc. so as to calculate and deliver ignition signals T1 to T4 for individual cylinders. Denoted by 60 is an ignition detection pulse generator circuit operative to receive signals obtained by the differentiation of falling portions of the ignition signals T1 to T4 from the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 and an output signal of the comparator means 10b and to output ignition detection pulses, the ignition detection
pulse generator circuit 60 comprisingtransistors 61 to 64, resistors 65 to 69 and adelay circuit 70. Denoted by 80 is a constant voltage circuit connected to receive an output voltage of abattery 6 to produce a constant output voltage. The number of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is equal to the number of engine cylinders. Each individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 comprisestransistors 201 to 206,resistors 207 to 216, acapacitor 217, adiode 218, andlogical elements 219 and 220. Denoted by 300 are display units respectively connected to the outputs of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 to display the ignition state of individual engine cylinders by means of light emitting diodes. - The operation of the seventh embodiment will now be described by referring to an operation waveform diagram of Fig. 12. Fig. 12 illustrates at T1 to T4 ignition signals outputted from the electronic control unit (ECU) 1B corresponding to individual cylinders, the individual ignition plugs 4a being caused to fire at the falling edges of the individual ignition signals. Accordingly, the comparator means 10b delivers, in the state of normal ignition, positive pulses as shown at (A) in Fig. 12 immediately after each ignition time. On the other hand, the individual ignition signals T1 to T4 applied to the
ignitor 1A are branched respectively to the individual cylinderignition determining means 200. Each ignition signal for each cylinder supplied to each individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is differentiated by thetransistor 201 andcapacitor 217, thus producing a differential pulse at the falling edge of the ignition signal T1, T2, T3 or T4, as shown at (B) in Fig. 12. Then, in the state of normal ignition, the ignition detectionpulse generator circuit 60 operates to generate at the collector of the transistor 64 an ignition detection pulse as shown at (C) in Fig. 21 during a short interval of time from the falling edge of the ignition signal T1, T2, T3 or T4 to the time of generation of the ignition detection pulse shown at (A) in Fig. 12 in the comparator means 10b. However, if ignition corresponding to one of the ignition signals T1 to T4, for example, the ignition signal T4, has failed at time t₁ to give rise to misfiring, an ignition pulse having a long duration time from the falling edge of the ignition signal T4 to time t₂, at which ignition corresponding to the succeeding ignition signal T1 occurs, is generated by the transistor 64 of the ignition detectionpulse generator circuit 60. The ignition detection pulses are delayed through thedelay circuit 70 so that the ignition detectionpulse generator circuit 60 produces an output signal waveform as shown at (D) in Fig. 12. Thus, it is noted that the ignition state of an engine cylinder can be determined in accordance with the waveform (D), by deciding whether the waveform of a delayed ignition detection pulse is at high or low level at the timing of the falling edge of an ignition signal for the succeeding cylinder. More specifically, in the case that an ignition failure occurs in an engine cylinder corresponding to the ignition signal T4 at time t₁ as shown in Fig. 12, a pulse signal waveform as shown at (E) in Fig. 12 generated in synchronism with the falling edge of the succeeding ignition signal T1 in an individual cylinderignition determining circuit 200 corresponding to the ignition signal T1 is subjected to a logical operation with the delayed ignition pulse signal (D) waveform corresponding to the ignition signal T4 by means of thelogical elements 219 and 220 included in the individual cylinderignition determining circuit 200 corresponding to the ignition signal T4. Thelogical elements 219 and 220 then produce output signals as shown at (F) and (G) in Fig. 12, respectively, which in turn are used to drive a flip-flop circuit comprised of thetransistors resistors 213 to 216, thereby providing an ignition determination signal waveform as shown at (H) in Fig. 12 for each associated cylinder. - The ignition determination signal then drives a
display unit 300 associated with the corresponding cylinder so that thedisplay unit 300 is operated to turn on, for example, a light emitting diode, thereby making it possible for a user to visually confirm an engine cylinder which is subject to ignition failure. - Fig. 13 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention in which, as compared with the seventh embodiment, the function of the individual cylinder ignition determining means 200 is implemented by software of a microcomputer in an
electronic control unit 1B so that fuel injection to a cylinder associated with anignition plug 4a, at which ignition failure has occured, may be stopped. - Referring to Fig. 13,
reference numeral 19a designates an AC impedance element, such as resistance, inductance or the like, provided in the ignition surge current detector means 10a. TheAC impedance element 19a is inserted in aground line 19 so that it may be effective in increasing the value of an AC impedance of theground line 19 when it is to small. The comparator means 10b is composed of a resistor 13a and a transistor 18b. - Denoted by 300 is a monostable multivibrator which is triggered by an output signal of the comparator means 10b to produce an output pulse of a predetermined time width (for example, 1.5 ms), and denoted by 400 is an output circuit constructed to supply an output signal from the
monostable multivibrator 300 to theelectronic control unit 1B. All theaforesaid circuits constant voltage circuit 30, are incorporated to form anignition sensor 500 which is separated from theigniter 1A shown in Fig. 11 and theelectronic control unit 1B. - The separate provision of the
ignition sensor 500 as described above permits the provision of theignition sensor 500 in the form of a discrete attachment without requiring to change the internal construction of theigniter 1A and theelectronic control unit 1B, thus increasing the degree of freedom of design. - As described above, in the ignition detecting device according to the present invention, an ignition surge current due to capacitive discharge caused by the ignition coil, which ignition surge current is generated in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil, is detected by the ignition surge current detector means, and in accordance with the output signal of the ignition surge current detector means, an ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value occurring in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil is detected by the comparator means. Thus, it is made possible to accurately detect the occurrence or nonoccurrence of ignition spark on the basis of the ignition surge current due to capacitive charge caused by the ignition coil which ignition surge current is generated in the primary side circuit of the ignition coil. Further, since it is not necessary to lead any secondary high voltage of the ignition coil into the electronic circuit, it becomes possible to simplify insulating means and consequently to minimize the size of the device and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device.
- An ignition detecting device for use in an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine comprises ignition surge current detector means (10a) for detecting an ignition surge current generated in a primary circuit of an ignition coil (3) due to capacitive discharge of the ignition coil (3), and comparator means (10b) for comparing an output voltage of the ignition surge current detector means (10a) with a predetermined reference voltage (Vref) to detect the generation of the ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value, thereby making it possible to detect accurately occurrence or nonoccurrence of ignition spark.
Claims (11)
- An ignition detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of an ignition spark in an ignition apparatus constructed to generate a high voltage for producing ignition spark in a secondary winding of an ignition coil (3) by interrupting a primary current flowing through a primary winding of said ignition coil (3), said primary winding being connected to a primary side circuit and said secondary winding being connected to a secondary side circuit,
said ignition detecting device being characterized by comprising:
ignition surge current detector means (10a, 40a, 50) for detecting an ignition surge current generated in the primary side circuit due to capacitive discharge of said ignition coil (3), and
comparator means (10b) responsive to an output signal of said ignition surge current detector means (10a) for detecting an ignition surge current in excess of a predetermined value. - An ignition detecting device according to claim 1 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein said primary side circuit includes a DC power supply (6), one electrode of which is connected to one end (3b) of said primary winding and the other electrode of which is grounded, and switching means (2) having one end connected to the other end of said primary winding and the other end grounded and responsive to an ignition signal thereby to be turned on and off, said secondary side circuit includes ignition plugs (4a) one end of each of which is connected to one end (3a) of said secondary winding and the other end of each of which is grounded, the other end of said secondary winding being connected to the one end (3b) of said primary windings, the ignition detecting device being characterized in that said ignition surge current detector means (10a) includes a series circuit of a first diode (13) and a first capacitor (11) connected between the ground and a junction between said primary and secondary windings, said first capacitor (11) being charged through said first diode (13) by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in said primary side circuit, and a series circuit of a second diode (14) and a second capacitor (12) connected between the ground and a junction between said first diode (13) and said first capacitor (11), said second capacitor (12) being charged through said second diode (14) and said first capacitor (11) by an ignition surge current of the other polarity generated in said primary side circuit, and said comparator means (10b) compares a voltage on said second capacitor (12) with a predetermined value (Vref).
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 1 for use in an ignition apparatus, being characterized in that said ignition surge current detector means (40a, 50) includes a detection coil (50) to be wound on a power supply line of said primary side circuit to detect an ignition surge current generated in said power supply line and integration means (40a) for rectifying and integrating a voltage induced in said detection coil (50), and said comparator means (40b) compares an output value of said integration means (40a) with a predetermined value.
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 3 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein said primary side circuit includes a DC power supply (6) having one electrode connected to one end of said primary winding and the other electrode grounded, and switching means (2) having one end connected to the other end of said primary winding and the other end grounded and responsive to an ignition signal thereby to be turned on and off, said secondary side circuit includes ignition plugs (4a) one end of each of which is connected to one end of said secondary winding and the other end of each of which is grounded, the other end of said secondary winding being connected to the one end of said primary winding, characterized in that said detection coil (50) is to be wound on the power supply line interconnecting a junction between said primary and secondary windings with said DC power supply (6).
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 3 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein said primary side circuit includes an amplifier circuit (1) for amplifying an ignition signal and an output transistor (2) responsive to an output signal of said amplifier circuit (1) thereby to turn on and off a primary current flowing through said primary winding, characterized in that said detection coil (50) is to be wound on a power supply line of said amplifier circuit (1).
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 3 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein said primary side circuit includes an amplifier circuit (1) for amplifying an ignition signal and an output transistor (2) responsive to an output signal of said amplifier circuit (1) thereby to turn on and off a primary current flowing through said primary winding, said amplifier circuit (1) including a smoothing capacitor (1b), characterized in that said detection coil (50) is to be wound on a power supply line of said smoothing capacitor (1b).
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 1 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein
said primary side circuit includes a DC power supply (6), one electrode of which is connected to one end (3b) of said primary widing of said ignition coil (3) and the other electrode of which is grounded, and switching means (2) having one end connected to the other end of said primary winding and the other end grounded and responsive to an ignition signal thereby to be turned on and off,
said secondary side circuit includes ignition plugs (4a) one end of each of which is connected to one end (3a) of said secondary winding of said ignition coil (3) and the other end of each of which is grounded, the other end of said secondary winding being connected to the one end (3b) of said primary winding, the ignition detecting device being characterized in that
said ignition surge current detector means (10a) includes a series circuit of a diode (13) and a capacitor (12) connected in parallel with a ground line (19) of said primary side circuit, said capacitor (12) being charged through said diode (13) by an ignition surge current of one polarity generated in said primary side circuit, and
said comparator means (10b) compares a charging voltage of said capacitor (12) with a predetermined value and detects an ignition surge current in excess of said predetermined value. - An ignition detecting device for use in an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of ignition coils (3) corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, being characterized by comprising:
a plurality of ignition detecting devices according to one of the claims 1 and 7, each detecting device being provided in association with one of said ignition coils (3), and
a plurality of means (20, 30) each of which is provided to validate a detection output signal of only one of said comparator means (10b) detected at normal ignition timing. - An ignition detecting device according to claim 7 for use in an ignition apparatus, wherein said switching means (2) is composed of an ignitor (1A) including an amplifier circuit (1) for amplifying the ignition signal and an output transistor (2) responsive to an output signal of said amplifier circuit (1) to turn on and off a primary current flowing through said primary winding, the ignition detecting device being characterized in that said ground line is provided separately from a ground path of said ignitor and forms a ground path (19) of said comparator means (10b), and an AC coupling capacitor (1c) is connected between said ground line (19) and the ungrounded side of said DC power supply, whereby an ignition surge current generated in said ignition coil is conducted through said ground line to said AC coupling capacitor (1c), and said ignition surge current detector means (10a) and said comparator means (10b) are provided separately from said ignitor to thereby form a discrete ignition sensor.
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 7 for use in an ignition apparatus, being characterized in that an AC impedance element (19a) is comprised in said ground line.
- An ignition detecting device according to claim 9 for use in an ignition apparatus of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of ignition coils corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, being characterized in that a single ignition sensor is provided commonly to said plurality of ignition coils (3), and individual cylinder ignition determining means (200) is provided for performing a logical operation on an output signal of said ignition sensor and an ignition signal for each of said cylinders to thereby effect ignition detection for individual cylinders.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP4215289 | 1989-02-22 | ||
JP42152/89 | 1989-02-22 | ||
JP8209089 | 1989-03-31 | ||
JP82090/89 | 1989-03-31 | ||
JP28150089A JPH0315665A (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-10-27 | Ignition detection device of ignition device |
JP281500/89 | 1989-10-27 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0384436A2 EP0384436A2 (en) | 1990-08-29 |
EP0384436A3 EP0384436A3 (en) | 1991-04-17 |
EP0384436B1 true EP0384436B1 (en) | 1994-12-14 |
Family
ID=27291084
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19900103350 Expired - Lifetime EP0384436B1 (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1990-02-21 | Ignition detecting device of ignition apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0384436B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69014933T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2066021T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5523691A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1996-06-04 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Diagnostic device for gas turbine ignition system |
US5155437A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1992-10-13 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Diagnostic device for gas turbine ignition system |
KR960000442B1 (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1996-01-06 | 미쓰비시덴키 가부시키가이샤 | Ionic current sensing apparatus |
DE4317959C2 (en) * | 1993-05-28 | 1996-03-28 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Test method for an ignition system |
US6670777B1 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2003-12-30 | Woodward Governor Company | Ignition system and method |
US7355300B2 (en) | 2004-06-15 | 2008-04-08 | Woodward Governor Company | Solid state turbine engine ignition exciter having elevated temperature operational capability |
GB2459835B (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2012-12-12 | Tracker Network Uk Ltd | Vehicle engine operation |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3942102A (en) * | 1973-05-25 | 1976-03-02 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Spark ignited combustion engine analyzer |
EP0020068B1 (en) * | 1979-05-25 | 1985-08-21 | LUCAS INDUSTRIES public limited company | A test procedure for testing an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system |
DE3065662D1 (en) * | 1979-05-25 | 1983-12-29 | Lucas Ind Plc | Apparatus for use in testing an internal combustion engine ignition system |
DE3065510D1 (en) * | 1979-05-25 | 1983-12-15 | Lucas Ind Plc | Test apparatus for testing internal combustion engine electronic spark ignition systems |
JPS61169670A (en) * | 1985-01-22 | 1986-07-31 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Device for detecting weak ignition of spark plug |
-
1990
- 1990-02-21 EP EP19900103350 patent/EP0384436B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-02-21 DE DE1990614933 patent/DE69014933T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-02-21 ES ES90103350T patent/ES2066021T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0384436A3 (en) | 1991-04-17 |
DE69014933T2 (en) | 1995-05-18 |
ES2066021T3 (en) | 1995-03-01 |
DE69014933D1 (en) | 1995-01-26 |
EP0384436A2 (en) | 1990-08-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5758629A (en) | Electronic ignition system for internal combustion engines and method for controlling the system | |
US4648367A (en) | Method and apparatus for detecting ion current in an internal combustion engine ignition system | |
US5785020A (en) | Combustion state detecting apparatus for an internal-combustion engine | |
US5283527A (en) | Methods and apparatus for detecting short circuited secondary coil winding via monitoring primary coil winding | |
EP0519588B1 (en) | A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine | |
US6418785B1 (en) | Misfire detecting apparatus for internal combustion engine | |
US5272914A (en) | Ignition system for internal combustion engines | |
US5216369A (en) | Ignition occurrence detecting device for use in an ignition apparatus | |
EP0384436B1 (en) | Ignition detecting device of ignition apparatus | |
US5327867A (en) | Misfire-detecting system for internal combustion engines | |
US6216530B1 (en) | Combustion state detecting device for an internal combustion engine | |
JP2834574B2 (en) | All-electronic ignition system for internal combustion engine | |
US5294888A (en) | Device for detecting misfire of an internal combustion engine by comparing voltage waveforms associated with ignition system | |
US6948484B2 (en) | Capacitor discharge ignition device | |
US4758790A (en) | Engine analysers for capacitor discharge ignition systems | |
US5115793A (en) | Ignition device for internal combustion engines, particularly for detecting spark failure | |
JP2665794B2 (en) | Ignition device for internal combustion engine | |
JP2523255B2 (en) | Secondary voltage detector for gasoline engine | |
JP3283605B2 (en) | Ion current detector | |
US5415148A (en) | Misfire-detecting system for internal combustion engines | |
JPH04339175A (en) | Misfire detecting device for spark ignition engine | |
JPH0599113A (en) | Misfire detector for gasoline engine | |
JP2525979B2 (en) | Gasoline engine combustion condition detector | |
US20040007222A1 (en) | Electronics partitioning for ignition systems with control circuits | |
US20030168050A1 (en) | Inductive ignition device comprising a device for measuring an ionic current |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19910610 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19930707 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69014933 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19950126 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2066021 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 746 Effective date: 19951020 |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: D6 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19960125 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19960212 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 19960215 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 19960227 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19960227 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19970221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Effective date: 19970222 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19970222 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19970221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Effective date: 19971030 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Effective date: 19971101 |
|
EUG | Se: european patent has lapsed |
Ref document number: 90103350.6 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 19990405 |