EP0523074B1 - Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system - Google Patents

Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0523074B1
EP0523074B1 EP91905808A EP91905808A EP0523074B1 EP 0523074 B1 EP0523074 B1 EP 0523074B1 EP 91905808 A EP91905808 A EP 91905808A EP 91905808 A EP91905808 A EP 91905808A EP 0523074 B1 EP0523074 B1 EP 0523074B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ignition
pulses
trigger signal
terminal
arrangement
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EP91905808A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0523074A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Etzold
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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    • 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
    • F02P9/00—Electric spark ignition control, not otherwise provided for
    • F02P9/002—Control of spark intensity, intensifying, lengthening, suppression
    • 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
    • F02P17/02—Checking or adjusting ignition timing

Definitions

  • the ignition system contains an ignition coil with a primary and a secondary winding.
  • a first connection of the primary winding is connected to a first connection of a voltage source and a second connection of the primary winding can be switched to the second connection of the voltage source using a controllable switch.
  • the primary winding can be short-circuited using a short-circuiting device.
  • First means connected to the second connection of the primary winding for detecting ignition pulses and second means for detecting ignition pulses which occur during suppressed ignition processes are provided.
  • the second means contain a current sensor and a comparator.
  • the current sensor consists of a series connection of diodes, on which, with a sufficient current flow in the forward direction, a voltage drop occurs which corresponds to the addition of the forward voltages of the individual diodes.
  • a current flow begins in a light-emitting diode which is parallel to the series connection of the diodes.
  • the LED has a comparator function. When the light emitting diode, which is contained in an optocoupler, lights up, triggers a trigger pulse which corresponds to a suppressed ignition process.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for generating a trigger signal from the pulses of an ignition system, which reproduces each ignition pulse occurring in the ignition system, the device having a high level of operational reliability.
  • the inventive design of the current sensor as a PTC thermistor initially has the advantage of triggering on a defined current value. Another advantage results from the protective function of the PTC thermistor for a switching element that is contained in the short-circuiting arrangement. Furthermore, the PTC thermistor offers reliable protection against overcurrent, which can occur in particular in the event of a faulty connection, for example in the event of polarity reversal, of the device according to the invention on an existing ignition system.
  • Another advantage of the device according to the invention is given by the fact that simple adaptation to an existing ignition system is possible. Only two connections parallel to the primary side of the ignition coil are required. The short-circuit arrangement can be contacted at the same time with these two connections.
  • the device according to the invention is suitable for connection to different ignition systems, such as, for example, conventional coil ignitions, electronic ignitions and, in particular, distributorless single and multi-spark ignition systems.
  • different ignition systems such as, for example, conventional coil ignitions, electronic ignitions and, in particular, distributorless single and multi-spark ignition systems.
  • the first detection means which are contacted with the primary connection of the ignition coil advantageously contain a voltage comparator which emits a signal when a predetermined threshold voltage is exceeded.
  • the threshold is preferably matched to the primary-side vibration that occurs when an ignition process occurs.
  • the current threshold specified with the PTC thermistor in the second detection means is preferably matched to the current expected in the short-circuit arrangement, which occurs after the short-circuit arrangement has been triggered to suppress an ignition process.
  • the comparator preferably contains a light emitting diode which is part of an optocoupler.
  • the optocoupler has the advantage of galvanic isolation from the further evaluation circuit.
  • the arrangement for combining the signals emitted by the two detection means can be implemented in a particularly simple manner as an OR link.
  • the device according to the invention is also suitable for multi-coil ignition systems. Only one additional connection is to be made on the primary side of each individual ignition coil. Diodes are particularly suitable as means for decoupling between the individual ignition coils.
  • the single figure shows a basic circuit diagram of a device according to the invention for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses of an ignition system.
  • the figure shows an ignition system 11 supplied with electrical energy by a voltage source 10.
  • the voltage source 10 has a first and second connection 12, 13.
  • the ignition system 11 contains two ignition coils 14, 15.
  • the ignition coils 15, 16 each have a primary winding 16, 17 and a secondary winding 18, 19.
  • a first connection 20, 21 of the primary winding 16, 17 is connected to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10.
  • a second connection 22, 23 of the ignition coil 15, 16 can each be connected via a switch 24, 25 to the second connection 13 of the voltage source 10.
  • the switches 24, 25 can be actuated by a control device (not shown in more detail) via control means 26, 27.
  • the secondary windings 18, 19 of the ignition coils 15, 16 are connected to spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31, which are assigned to an internal combustion engine (not shown in more detail).
  • spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31 which are assigned to an internal combustion engine (not shown in more detail).
  • a double spark ignition system is shown as an example, in which both connections of the secondary windings 18, 19 each with spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 are connected.
  • the second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17 are brought together via diodes 32, 33.
  • a third diode 34 is also entered, which leads to a further ignition coil, not shown in the figure.
  • Diode 34 is representative of any number of other diodes.
  • a working resistor connected to the second connection 13 of the voltage source 10 is arranged at the common connection of the diodes 32, 33, 34.
  • a short-circuit arrangement 41 is also connected to the common connection and can short-circuit to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10.
  • the short-circuit arrangement 41 is entered in the figure with the circuit symbol of a thyristor. At the control input 42 of the thyristor, a trigger device for the short circuit, not shown, is connected.
  • first means 43 for detecting ignition pulses which occur at the second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17 are connected to the common connection of the diodes 32, 33, 34 and the short-circuit arrangement 41.
  • second means 44 are provided for detecting ignition pulses, which likewise occur at the second connections 22, 23 and which have an effect there after the short-circuit arrangement 41 has been triggered.
  • the means 44 contain a resistor 45 acting as a current sensor, to which a series circuit with a light-emitting diode 46 and a protective resistor 47 is connected in parallel.
  • the light-emitting diode 46 forms an optocoupler with a photo receiver 48 for decoupling the signal.
  • the signals emitted by the two detection means 43, 44 are fed to an arrangement 49 for combining the two signals.
  • a trigger signal is available at the output 50 of the arrangement 49, which corresponds to each ignition pulse occurring in the ignition system, regardless of whether an ignition process on spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 of the internal combustion engine is triggered or not.
  • the ignition system 11 is provided, for example, for triggering ignition processes in an internal combustion engine (not shown).
  • the ignition system can be designed differently.
  • two ignition coils 14, 15 are shown in the figure.
  • only one ignition coil can be provided, and more than two ignition coils can also be provided.
  • the ignition coils 14, 15 are shown in the figure with a separate primary winding 16, 17 and a secondary winding 18, 19. It is also possible to design the ignition coils 14, 15 as so-called autotransformers, only one winding being provided which has a tap.
  • the primary winding is expediently to be referred to as a low-voltage winding and the secondary winding as a high-voltage winding.
  • the ignition coils 14, 15 each have a plurality of secondary windings 18, 19, which lead to further spark plugs.
  • two double spark ignition coils are shown, in which both connections of the secondary windings 18, 19 each form pairs of spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 lead.
  • the ignition coils 14, 15 are controlled by means of controllable switches 24, 25. These switches can be mechanical break contacts in a conventional simple coil ignition system. It is also possible that the switches 24, 25 are designed as semiconductor switches, which are implemented, for example, in an electronic ignition device as output stage transistors.
  • the control means 26, 27 of the switches 24, 25 are mechanical cams in the case of a simple circuit breaker control and electronic components for controlling the semiconductor switches in the case of an electronic ignition system.
  • An ignition process on the spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31 occurs during the opening of the switches 24, 25 after the conclusion of a closing phase with a predetermined duration.
  • Further components for example so-called ignition capacitors, are required for the proper operation of the ignition system 11, but these are only of minor importance for the device according to the invention and have therefore been omitted.
  • a steep voltage rise occurs at the second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17, which can have amplitudes of up to several 100 volts. This high voltage rise is particularly suitable for deriving trigger signals from the ignition pulses which occur at the second connections 22, 23.
  • the first means 43 for detecting these ignition pulses therefore preferably contain a voltage comparator whose switching threshold is matched to this ignition pulse voltage on the primary side.
  • the switching threshold is set to 100 V, for example. When this threshold is exceeded, the voltage comparator emits a pulse which coincides with the occurrence of the ignition pulses on the spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31. Diodes 32, 33, 34 are provided for decoupling the signals between the individual ignition coils 14, 15.
  • the short-circuit arrangement 41 which contains a controllable switch.
  • the thyristor shown in the figure is particularly suitable for this purpose, to the control input 42 of which a trigger device is connected which switches the thyristor on at the correct time and thus short-circuits the primary circuit of the ignition coil 14 or the ignition coil 15.
  • the first means 43 may then no longer be able to detect every ignition pulse that occurs at the second connections 22, 23.
  • the second means 44 contained in the short-circuiting arrangement 41 are therefore provided.
  • the current flowing during the closing phase of the switches 24, 25 in the primary windings 16, 17 is returned after opening the switches 24, 25 via the short-circuit arrangement 41 to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10. This current has amplitudes of a few amperes.
  • the second means 44 contain the PTC thermistor 45 as a current sensor, which additionally performs a protective function for the thyristor.
  • the current flowing in the short circuit leads to a voltage drop at the PTC thermistor 45, which can be evaluated with the aid of a further voltage comparator.
  • a light-emitting diode 46 connected in parallel with the PTC thermistor 45 is suitable, for example, which emits radiation as soon as its threshold voltage is exceeded.
  • Resistor 47 limits the current flowing through LED 46 and sets the operating point.
  • the light-emitting diode 46 is preferably part of an optocoupler which integrates the housing with the light-emitting diode 46 co-operating photo receiver 48 contains.
  • the second means 44 thus emit a signal when ignition pulses occur at the second connections 22, 23 and a short circuit triggered at the same time.
  • the arrangement 49 is provided, at the output 50 of which the trigger pulses occur.
  • the arrangement 49 can be implemented in a particularly simple manner as an OR link. The arrangement 49 must ensure that either the signals emitted by the first means 43 or by the second means 44 or by both means 43, 44 reach the output 50.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Abstract

Proposed is a device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system (11), preferably of an internal-combustion engine. Irrespective of whether ignition initiation is supressed or not, the device always produces, at an output (50), trigger pulses which appear in the ignition system (11). The invention calls for first means (43) for detecting ignition impulses, this means being connected to the primary terminal (22, 23) of an ignition coil (16, 17), as well as second means (44) for detecting ignition pulses which occur in a short-circuiting device (41). In order to combine the signals produced by the two means (43, 44), the invention calls for a device (49) at whose output (50) the trigger signal can be taken off.

Description

Aus der US-A 4 165 481 ist eine gattungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen eines Triggersignals aus Zündimpulsen einer Zündanlage einer Brennkraftmaschine bekannt. Die Zündanlage enthält eine Zündspule mit einer Primär- und einer Sekundärwicklung. Ein erster Anschluß der Primärwicklung ist mit einem ersten Anschluß einer Spannungsquelle verbunden und ein zweiter Anschluß der Primärwicklung ist mit einem steuerbaren Schalter an den zweiten Anschluß der Spannungsquelle schaltbar. Die Primärwicklung ist mittels einer Kurzschließvorrichtung kurzschließbar. Es sind erste mit dem zweiten Anschluß der Primärwicklung verbundene Mittel zum Detektieren von Zündimpulsen und zweite Mittel zum Detektieren von Zündimpulsen, die bei unterdrückten Zündvorgängen auftreten, vorgesehen. Eine Anordnung zum Zusammenfassen der von den beiden Mitteln abgegebenen Signale stellt ein an einem Ausgang abgreifbares Triggersignal bereit, das sowohl tatsächlich ausgelöste Zündimpulse sowie unterdrückte Zündimpulse wiedergibt. Die zweiten Mittel enthalten einen Stromsensor und einen Komparator. Der Stromsensor besteht aus einer Reihenschaltung von Dioden, an denen bei einem ausreichenden Stromfluß in Durchlaßrichtung ein Spannungsabfall auftritt, der der Addition der Durchlaßspannungen der einzelnen Dioden entspricht. Wenn der gesamte Spannungsabfall an den Dioden einen ausreichend hohen Pegel erreicht, beginnt ein Stromfluß in einer Leuchtdiode, die parallel zu der Reihenschaltung der Dioden liegt. Der Leuchtdiode kommt eine Komparatorfunktion zu. Ein Aufleuchten der Leuchtdiode, die in einem Optokoppler enthalten ist, löst einen Triggerimpuls aus, der einem unterdrückten Zündvorgang entspricht.From US-A 4 165 481 a generic device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine is known. The ignition system contains an ignition coil with a primary and a secondary winding. A first connection of the primary winding is connected to a first connection of a voltage source and a second connection of the primary winding can be switched to the second connection of the voltage source using a controllable switch. The primary winding can be short-circuited using a short-circuiting device. First means connected to the second connection of the primary winding for detecting ignition pulses and second means for detecting ignition pulses which occur during suppressed ignition processes are provided. An arrangement for combining the signals emitted by the two means provides a trigger signal which can be tapped at an output and which reproduces both actually triggered ignition pulses and suppressed ignition pulses. The second means contain a current sensor and a comparator. The current sensor consists of a series connection of diodes, on which, with a sufficient current flow in the forward direction, a voltage drop occurs which corresponds to the addition of the forward voltages of the individual diodes. When the total voltage drop across the diodes reaches a sufficiently high level, a current flow begins in a light-emitting diode which is parallel to the series connection of the diodes. The LED has a comparator function. When the light emitting diode, which is contained in an optocoupler, lights up, triggers a trigger pulse which corresponds to a suppressed ignition process.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Triggersignals aus den Impulsen einer Zündanlage anzugeben, das jeden in der Zündanlage auftretenden Zündimpuls wiedergibt, wobei die Vorrichtung eine hohe Betriebssicherheit aufweist.The invention has for its object to provide a device for generating a trigger signal from the pulses of an ignition system, which reproduces each ignition pulse occurring in the ignition system, the device having a high level of operational reliability.

Vorteile der ErfindungAdvantages of the invention

Die erfindungsgemäß vorgesehene Ausgestaltung des Stromsensors als Kaltleiter weist zunächst den Vorteil einer Triggerung auf einen definierten Stromwert auf. Ein weiterer Vorteil ergibt sich durch die Schutzfunktion des Kaltleiters für ein Schaltelement, das in der Kurzschließanordnung enthalten ist. Darüberhinaus bietet der Kaltleiter einen zuverlässigen Schutz gegen Überstrom, der insbesondere bei einem fehlerhaften Anschluß, beispielsweise bei einer Verpolung, der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung an einer vorhandenen Zündanlage auftreten kann.The inventive design of the current sensor as a PTC thermistor initially has the advantage of triggering on a defined current value. Another advantage results from the protective function of the PTC thermistor for a switching element that is contained in the short-circuiting arrangement. Furthermore, the PTC thermistor offers reliable protection against overcurrent, which can occur in particular in the event of a faulty connection, for example in the event of polarity reversal, of the device according to the invention on an existing ignition system.

Ein anderer Vorteil der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist dadurch gegeben, daß eine einfache Adapption an eine vorhandene Zündanlage möglich ist. Es werden lediglich zwei Anschlüsse parallel zur Primärseite der Zündspule benötigt. Mit diesen beiden Anschlüssen ist gleichzeitig die Kurzschließanordnung kontaktierbar.Another advantage of the device according to the invention is given by the fact that simple adaptation to an existing ignition system is possible. Only two connections parallel to the primary side of the ignition coil are required. The short-circuit arrangement can be contacted at the same time with these two connections.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung ist zum Anschluß an unterschiedliche Zündsysteme, wie beispielsweise herkömmliche Spulenzündungen, elektronische Zündungen und insbesondere verteilerlose Ein- sowie Mehrfunken-Zündanlagen geeignet.The device according to the invention is suitable for connection to different ignition systems, such as, for example, conventional coil ignitions, electronic ignitions and, in particular, distributorless single and multi-spark ignition systems.

Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen und Ausgestaltungen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ergeben sich aus abhängigen Ansprüchen.Further advantageous developments and refinements of the device according to the invention result from the dependent claims.

Die ersten Detektionsmittel, die mit dem Primäranschluß der Zündspule kontaktiert werden, enthalten vorteilhafterweise einen Spannungskomparator, der bei Überschreiten einer vorgegebenen Schwellenspannung ein Signal abgibt. Die Schwelle ist vorzugsweise auf die primärseitige Schwingung abgestimmt, die beim Auftreten eines Zündvorgangs auftritt.The first detection means which are contacted with the primary connection of the ignition coil advantageously contain a voltage comparator which emits a signal when a predetermined threshold voltage is exceeded. The threshold is preferably matched to the primary-side vibration that occurs when an ignition process occurs.

Die mit dem Kaltleiter vorgegebene Stromschwelle in den zweiten Detektionsmitteln wird vorzugsweise abgestimmt auf den in der Kurzschließanordnung erwarteten Strom, der nach Auslösung der Kurzschlußanordnung zum Unterdrücken eines Zündvorgangs auftritt.The current threshold specified with the PTC thermistor in the second detection means is preferably matched to the current expected in the short-circuit arrangement, which occurs after the short-circuit arrangement has been triggered to suppress an ignition process.

Der Komparator enthält vorzugsweise eine Leuchtdiode, die Teil eines Optokopplers ist. Der Optokoppler bringt den Vorteil einer galvanischen Trennung von der weiteren Auswerteschaltung mit sich.The comparator preferably contains a light emitting diode which is part of an optocoupler. The optocoupler has the advantage of galvanic isolation from the further evaluation circuit.

Die Anordnung zum Zusammenfassen der von den beiden Detektionsmitteln abgegebenen Signale ist in besonders einfacher Weise als ODER-Verknüpfung realisierbar.The arrangement for combining the signals emitted by the two detection means can be implemented in a particularly simple manner as an OR link.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung ist auch bei Mehrspulen-Zündanlagen geeignet. Es ist jeweils nur ein einziger zusätzlicher Anschluß an der Primärseite jeder einzelnen Zündspule vorzunehmen. Als Mittel zur Entkopplung zwischen den einzelnen Zündspulen sind insbesondere Dioden geeignet.The device according to the invention is also suitable for multi-coil ignition systems. Only one additional connection is to be made on the primary side of each individual ignition coil. Diodes are particularly suitable as means for decoupling between the individual ignition coils.

Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen und Verbesserungen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ergeben sich aus der Beschreibung.Further advantageous developments and improvements of the device according to the invention result from the description.

Zeichnungdrawing

Die einzige Figur zeigt ein Prinzipschaltbild einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Triggersignals aus Zündimpulsen einer Zündanlage.The single figure shows a basic circuit diagram of a device according to the invention for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses of an ignition system.

Die Figur zeigt eine von einer Spannungsquelle 10 mit elektrischer Energie versorgten Zündanlage 11. Die Spannungsquelle 10 weist einen ersten und zweiten Anschluß 12, 13 auf. Die Zündanlage 11 enthält zwei Zündspulen 14, 15. Die Zündspulen 15, 16 weisen jeweils eine Primärwicklung 16, 17 sowie eine Sekundärwicklung 18, 19 auf. Ein erster Anschluß 20, 21 der Primärwicklung 16, 17 ist jeweils mit dem ersten Anschluß 12 der Spannungsquelle 10 verbunden. Ein zweiter Anschluß 22, 23 der Zündspule 15, 16 ist jeweils über einen Schalter 24, 25 mit dem zweiten Anschluß 13 der Spannungsquelle 10 verbindbar. Die Schalter 24, 25 sind von einer nicht näher gezeigten Steuereinrichtung über Steuermittel 26, 27 betätigbar.The figure shows an ignition system 11 supplied with electrical energy by a voltage source 10. The voltage source 10 has a first and second connection 12, 13. The ignition system 11 contains two ignition coils 14, 15. The ignition coils 15, 16 each have a primary winding 16, 17 and a secondary winding 18, 19. A first connection 20, 21 of the primary winding 16, 17 is connected to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10. A second connection 22, 23 of the ignition coil 15, 16 can each be connected via a switch 24, 25 to the second connection 13 of the voltage source 10. The switches 24, 25 can be actuated by a control device (not shown in more detail) via control means 26, 27.

Die Sekundärwicklungen 18, 19 der Zündspulen 15, 16 sind mit Zündkerzen 28, 29, 30, 31 verbunden, die einer nicht näher gezeigte Brennkraftmaschine zugeordnet sind. In der Figur ist beispielhaft eine Doppelfunken-Zündanlage gezeigt, bei der beide Anschlüsse der Sekundärwicklungen 18, 19 jeweils mit Zündkerzen 28, 29; 30, 31 verbunden sind.The secondary windings 18, 19 of the ignition coils 15, 16 are connected to spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31, which are assigned to an internal combustion engine (not shown in more detail). In the figure, a double spark ignition system is shown as an example, in which both connections of the secondary windings 18, 19 each with spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 are connected.

Die zweiten Anschlüsse 22, 23 der Primärwicklungen 16, 17 sind über Dioden 32, 33 zusammengeführt. In der Figur ist ferner eine dritte Diode 34 eingetragen, die zu einer weiteren, in der Figur nicht gezeigten Zündspule führt. Die Diode 34 ist stellvertretend für beliebig viele weitere Dioden eingetragen. An der gemeinsamen Verbindung der Dioden 32, 33, 34 ist ein mit dem zweiten Anschluß 13 der Spannungsquelle 10 verbundener Arbeitswiderstand angeordnet. Mit dem gemeinsamen Anschluß ist weiterhin eine Kurzschließanordnung 41 verbunden, die einen Kurzschluß zum ersten Anschluß 12 der Spannungsquelle 10 herstellen kann. Die Kurzschließanordnung 41 ist in der Figur mit dem Schaltsymbol eines Thyristors eingetragen. Am Steuereingang 42 des Thyristors ist eine nicht näher gezeigte Auslöseeinrichtung für den Kurzschluß angeschlossen. Ferner sind an dem gemeinsamen Anschluß der Dioden 32, 33, 34 und der Kurzschließanordnung 41 erste Mittel 43 zum Detektieren von Zündimpulsen angeschlossen, die an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 der Primärwicklungen 16, 17 auftreten. In der Kurzschließanordnung 41 sind zweite Mittel 44 zum Detektieren von Zündimpulsen vorgesehen, die ebenfalls an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 auftreten und nach Auslösung der Kurzschlußanordnung 41 dort eine Wirkung hervorrufen.The second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17 are brought together via diodes 32, 33. In the figure, a third diode 34 is also entered, which leads to a further ignition coil, not shown in the figure. Diode 34 is representative of any number of other diodes. A working resistor connected to the second connection 13 of the voltage source 10 is arranged at the common connection of the diodes 32, 33, 34. A short-circuit arrangement 41 is also connected to the common connection and can short-circuit to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10. The short-circuit arrangement 41 is entered in the figure with the circuit symbol of a thyristor. At the control input 42 of the thyristor, a trigger device for the short circuit, not shown, is connected. Furthermore, first means 43 for detecting ignition pulses which occur at the second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17 are connected to the common connection of the diodes 32, 33, 34 and the short-circuit arrangement 41. In the short-circuit arrangement 41, second means 44 are provided for detecting ignition pulses, which likewise occur at the second connections 22, 23 and which have an effect there after the short-circuit arrangement 41 has been triggered.

Die Mittel 44 enthalten einen als Stromsensor wirkenden Widerstand 45, dem eine Serienschaltung mit einer Leuchtdiode 46 und einem Schutzwiderstand 47 parallel geschaltet ist. Die Leuchtdiode 46 bildet mit einem Fotoempfänger 48 einen Optokoppler zur Auskopplung des Signals.The means 44 contain a resistor 45 acting as a current sensor, to which a series circuit with a light-emitting diode 46 and a protective resistor 47 is connected in parallel. The light-emitting diode 46 forms an optocoupler with a photo receiver 48 for decoupling the signal.

Die von den beiden Detektionsmitteln 43, 44 abgegebenen Signale werden einer Anordnung 49 zum Zusammenführen beider Signale zugeleitet. Am Ausgang 50 der Anordnung 49 steht ein Triggersignal zur Verfügung, das jedem in der Zündanlage auftretenden Zündimpuls entspricht, unabhängig davon, ob ein Zündvorgang an Zündkerzen 28, 29; 30, 31 der Brennkraftmaschine ausgelöst wird oder nicht.The signals emitted by the two detection means 43, 44 are fed to an arrangement 49 for combining the two signals. A trigger signal is available at the output 50 of the arrangement 49, which corresponds to each ignition pulse occurring in the ignition system, regardless of whether an ignition process on spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 of the internal combustion engine is triggered or not.

Die Arbeitsweise der in der Figur gezeigten Prinzipschaltung wird nun näher erläutert:The operation of the basic circuit shown in the figure will now be explained in more detail:

Die Zündanlage 11 ist beispielsweise zur Auslösung von Zündvorgängen in einer nicht gezeigten Brennkraftmaschine vorgesehen. Die Zündanlage kann unterschiedlich ausgestaltet sein. In der Figur sind beispielsweise zwei Zündspulen 14, 15 gezeigt. Es kann gleichfalls nur eine Zündspule vorgesehen sein, ebenso können auch mehr als zwei Zündspulen vorhanden sein. Die Zündspulen 14, 15 sind in der Figur mit einer getrennten Primärwicklung 16, 17 sowie einer Sekundärwicklung 18, 19 gezeigt. Es ist ebenso möglich, die Zündspulen 14, 15 als sogenannte Spartransformatoren auszubilden, wobei lediglich eine Wicklung vorgesehen ist, die eine Anzapfung aufweist. In diesem Fall ist die Primärwicklung zweckmäßigerweise als Niederspannungs- und die Sekundärwicklung als Hochspannungswicklung zu bezeichnen. Ferner ist es möglich, daß die Zündspulen 14, 15 jeweils mehrere Sekundärwicklungen 18, 19 aufweisen, die zu weiteren Zündkerzen führen. Im Beispiel sind zwei Doppelfunken-Zündspulen gezeigt, bei denen beide Anschlüsse der Sekundärwicklungen 18, 19 jeweils zu Zündkerzenpaaren 28, 29; 30, 31 führen.The ignition system 11 is provided, for example, for triggering ignition processes in an internal combustion engine (not shown). The ignition system can be designed differently. For example, two ignition coils 14, 15 are shown in the figure. Likewise, only one ignition coil can be provided, and more than two ignition coils can also be provided. The ignition coils 14, 15 are shown in the figure with a separate primary winding 16, 17 and a secondary winding 18, 19. It is also possible to design the ignition coils 14, 15 as so-called autotransformers, only one winding being provided which has a tap. In this case, the primary winding is expediently to be referred to as a low-voltage winding and the secondary winding as a high-voltage winding. It is also possible that the ignition coils 14, 15 each have a plurality of secondary windings 18, 19, which lead to further spark plugs. In the example, two double spark ignition coils are shown, in which both connections of the secondary windings 18, 19 each form pairs of spark plugs 28, 29; 30, 31 lead.

Die Ansteuerung der Zündspulen 14, 15 erfolgt mit Hilfe von steuerbaren Schaltern 24, 25. Diese Schalter können sowohl mechanische Unterbrecherkontakte in einer herkömmlichen einfachen Spulenzündanlage sein. Es ist ebenso möglich, daß die Schalter 24, 25 als Halbleiterschalter ausgebildet sind, die beispielsweise in einem elektronischen Zündgerät als Endstufentransistoren realisiert sind. Die Steuermittel 26, 27 der Schalter 24, 25 sind im Falle einer einfachen Unterbrechersteuerung jeweils mechanische Nocken und im Falle einer elektronischen Zündanlage elektronische Komponenten zur Ansteuerung der Halbleiterschalter.The ignition coils 14, 15 are controlled by means of controllable switches 24, 25. These switches can be mechanical break contacts in a conventional simple coil ignition system. It is also possible that the switches 24, 25 are designed as semiconductor switches, which are implemented, for example, in an electronic ignition device as output stage transistors. The control means 26, 27 of the switches 24, 25 are mechanical cams in the case of a simple circuit breaker control and electronic components for controlling the semiconductor switches in the case of an electronic ignition system.

Ein Zündvorgang an den Zündkerzen 28, 29, 30, 31 tritt während dem Öffnen der Schalter 24, 25 nach Abschluß einer Schließphase mit vorgegebener Dauer auf. Zum ordnungsgemäßen Arbeiten der Zündanlage 11 sind weitere Komponenten, beispielsweise sogenannte Zündkondensatoren erforderlich, die jedoch für die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung nur von untergeordneter Bedeutung sind und deshalb weggelassen wurden. Nach dem Öffnen der Schalter 24, 25 entsteht an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 der Primärwicklungen 16, 17 jeweils ein steiler Spannungsanstieg, der Amplituden bis zu mehreren 100 Volt aufweisen kann. Dieser hohe Spannungsanstieg eignet sich besonders zum Ableiten von Triggersignalen aus den Zündimpulsen, die an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 auftreten. Die ersten Mittel 43 zum Detektieren dieser Zündimpulse enthalten deshalb vorzugsweise einen Spannungskomparator, dessen Schaltschwelle auf diese primärseitige Zündimpulsspannung abgestimmt ist. Die Schaltschwelle ist beispielsweise auf 100 V eingestellt. Bei Überschreiten dieser Schwelle gibt der Spannungskomparator einen Impuls ab, der zeitlich mit dem Auftreten der Zündimpulse an den Zündkerzen 28, 29, 30, 31 übereinstimmt. Zur Entkopplung der Signale zwischen den einzelnen Zündspulen 14, 15 sind Dioden 32, 33, 34 vorgesehen.An ignition process on the spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31 occurs during the opening of the switches 24, 25 after the conclusion of a closing phase with a predetermined duration. Further components, for example so-called ignition capacitors, are required for the proper operation of the ignition system 11, but these are only of minor importance for the device according to the invention and have therefore been omitted. After opening the switches 24, 25, a steep voltage rise occurs at the second connections 22, 23 of the primary windings 16, 17, which can have amplitudes of up to several 100 volts. This high voltage rise is particularly suitable for deriving trigger signals from the ignition pulses which occur at the second connections 22, 23. The first means 43 for detecting these ignition pulses therefore preferably contain a voltage comparator whose switching threshold is matched to this ignition pulse voltage on the primary side. The switching threshold is set to 100 V, for example. When this threshold is exceeded, the voltage comparator emits a pulse which coincides with the occurrence of the ignition pulses on the spark plugs 28, 29, 30, 31. Diodes 32, 33, 34 are provided for decoupling the signals between the individual ignition coils 14, 15.

Für bestimmte Messungen an der Brennkraftmaschine, beispielsweise Kompressionsmessungen mit Eilfe des Anlasserstroms sowie Leistungs- und Laufruhemessungen, ist die Unterdrückung einzelner oder mehrerer Zündauslösungen in Folge erforderlich. Hierzu ist die Kurzschließanordnung 41 vorgesehen, die einen steuerbaren Schalter enthält. Besonders geeignet ist hierfür der in der Figur eingetragene Thyristor, an dessen Steuereingang 42 eine Auslöseeinrichtung angeschlossen ist, die den Thyristor jeweils zum richtigen Zeitpunkt einschaltet und somit den Primärkreis der Zündspule 14 oder der Zündspule 15 kurzschließt. Während des Bestehens des Kurzschlusses wird das Entstehen einer hohen primärseitigen Spannung an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 unterbunden. Die ersten Mittel 43 können dann unter Umständen nicht mehr jeden Zündimpuls detektieren, der an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 auftritt. Deshalb sind die zweiten Mittel 44 vorgesehen, die in der Kurzschließanordnung 41 enthalten sind.For certain measurements on the internal combustion engine, for example compression measurements with the help of the starter current as well as power and quiet running measurements, the suppression of one or more ignition trips in succession is necessary. For this purpose, the short-circuit arrangement 41 is provided, which contains a controllable switch. The thyristor shown in the figure is particularly suitable for this purpose, to the control input 42 of which a trigger device is connected which switches the thyristor on at the correct time and thus short-circuits the primary circuit of the ignition coil 14 or the ignition coil 15. During the existence of the short circuit, the occurrence of a high primary-side voltage at the second connections 22, 23 is prevented. The first means 43 may then no longer be able to detect every ignition pulse that occurs at the second connections 22, 23. The second means 44 contained in the short-circuiting arrangement 41 are therefore provided.

Der während der Schließphase der Schalter 24, 25 in den Primärwicklungen 16, 17 fließende Strom wird nach Öffnen der Schalter 24, 25 über die Kurzschließanordnung 41 zum ersten Anschluß 12 der Spannungsquelle 10 zurückgeleitet. Dieser Strom weist Amplituden von einigen Ampere auf. Die zweiten Mittel 44 enthalten als Stromsensor den Kaltleiter 45, der zusätzlich eine Schutzfunktion für den Thyristor wahrnimmt. Der im Kurzschlußkreis fließende Strom führt zu einem Spannungsabfall am Kaltleiter 45, der mit Hilfe eines weiteren Spannungskomparators auswertbar ist. Geeignet ist beispielsweise eine parallel zum Kaltleiter 45 geschaltete Leuchtdiode 46, die eine Strahlung emittiert, sobald deren Schwellenspannung überschritten ist. Der Widerstand 47 begrenzt den durch die Leuchtdiode 46 fließenden Strom und stellt den Arbeitspunkt ein. Die Leuchtdiode 46 ist vorzugsweise Teil eines Optokopplers, der in einem Gehäuse integriert den mit der Leuchtdiode 46 zusammenwirkenden Fotoempfänger 48 enthält. Die zweiten Mittel 44 geben somit ein Signal bei dem Auftreten von Zündimpulsen an den zweiten Anschlüssen 22, 23 und gleichzeitig ausgelöstem Kurzschluß ab.The current flowing during the closing phase of the switches 24, 25 in the primary windings 16, 17 is returned after opening the switches 24, 25 via the short-circuit arrangement 41 to the first connection 12 of the voltage source 10. This current has amplitudes of a few amperes. The second means 44 contain the PTC thermistor 45 as a current sensor, which additionally performs a protective function for the thyristor. The current flowing in the short circuit leads to a voltage drop at the PTC thermistor 45, which can be evaluated with the aid of a further voltage comparator. A light-emitting diode 46 connected in parallel with the PTC thermistor 45 is suitable, for example, which emits radiation as soon as its threshold voltage is exceeded. Resistor 47 limits the current flowing through LED 46 and sets the operating point. The light-emitting diode 46 is preferably part of an optocoupler which integrates the housing with the light-emitting diode 46 co-operating photo receiver 48 contains. The second means 44 thus emit a signal when ignition pulses occur at the second connections 22, 23 and a short circuit triggered at the same time.

Zur Bereitstellung eines Triggersignals, das jedem ausgelösten Zündimpuls entspricht, unabhängig davon, ob die Auslösung eines Zündvorgangs unterdrückt ist oder nicht, ist die Anordnung 49 vorgesehen, an deren Ausgang 50 die Triggerimpulse auftreten. Die Anordnung 49 ist in besonders einfacher Weise als ODER-Verknüpfung realisierbar. Die Anordnung 49 muß sicherstellen, daß entweder die von den ersten Mitteln 43 oder die von den zweiten Mitteln 44 oder von beiden Mitteln 43, 44 abgegebenen Signale zum Ausgang 50 gelangen.To provide a trigger signal that corresponds to each triggered ignition pulse, regardless of whether the triggering of an ignition process is suppressed or not, the arrangement 49 is provided, at the output 50 of which the trigger pulses occur. The arrangement 49 can be implemented in a particularly simple manner as an OR link. The arrangement 49 must ensure that either the signals emitted by the first means 43 or by the second means 44 or by both means 43, 44 reach the output 50.

Claims (5)

  1. Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses of an ignition system (11) which contains at least one ignition coil (14, 15) with a primary and at least one secondary winding (16, 17, 18, 19), a first terminal (20, 21) of the primary winding (16, 17) being connected to a first terminal (12) of a voltage source (10) and it being possible for a second terminal (22, 23) of the primary winding (16, 17) to be connected with a controllable switch (24, 25) to a second terminal (13) of the voltage source (10), having first means (43) for detecting ignition pulses which are connected to the second terminal (22, 23) of the primary winding (16, 17), having a short-circuiting arrangement (41) for the primary winding (16, 17) which, for the detection of ignition pulses which occur during suppressed ignition processes, has means (44) which contain a current sensor (45) and a comparator (46, 47), and having an arrangement (49) for combining the signals emitted by the two means (43, 44) in order to make available the trigger signal which can be tapped at an output (50), characterized in that a PCT thermistor is used as current sensor (45).
  2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first means (43) contain a voltage comparator.
  3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that an LED (46) is connected in parallel with the PCT thermistor (45), which LED (46) is contained in an opto-coupler which, in addition to the LED (46), contains a photoreceiver (48).
  4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement (49) is realized as an OR logic element.
  5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of ignition coils (14, 15) are provided, the second terminals (22, 23) of whose primary windings (16, 17) are isolated from one another by means of diodes (32, 33, 34).
EP91905808A 1990-04-04 1991-03-23 Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system Expired - Lifetime EP0523074B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4010839A DE4010839A1 (en) 1990-04-04 1990-04-04 DEVICE FOR GENERATING A TRIGGER SIGNAL FROM IGNITION PULSES FROM A IGNITION SYSTEM
DE4010839 1990-04-04
PCT/DE1991/000259 WO1991015678A1 (en) 1990-04-04 1991-03-23 Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0523074A1 EP0523074A1 (en) 1993-01-20
EP0523074B1 true EP0523074B1 (en) 1997-04-23

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EP91905808A Expired - Lifetime EP0523074B1 (en) 1990-04-04 1991-03-23 Device for generating a trigger signal from ignition pulses in an ignition system

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US (1) US5294887A (en)
EP (1) EP0523074B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3148232B2 (en)
DE (2) DE4010839A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2100948T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1991015678A1 (en)

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DE4136232A1 (en) * 1991-11-02 1993-05-06 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart, De METHOD FOR EVALUATING IGNITION PULSES
DE4321170A1 (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-01-05 Bosch Gmbh Robert Method for testing a spark ignition internal combustion engine
JP3194676B2 (en) * 1994-11-08 2001-07-30 三菱電機株式会社 Misfire detection device for internal combustion engine
GB9515272D0 (en) * 1994-12-23 1995-09-20 Philips Electronics Uk Ltd An ignition control circuit, and engine system
TWI333977B (en) * 2003-09-18 2010-12-01 Symphogen As Method for linking sequences of interest

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DE2443403C2 (en) * 1974-09-11 1986-02-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Circuit arrangement for suppressing individual ignition processes in an ignition system for internal combustion engines
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1991015678A1 (en) 1991-10-17
EP0523074A1 (en) 1993-01-20
US5294887A (en) 1994-03-15
JPH05506075A (en) 1993-09-02
ES2100948T3 (en) 1997-07-01
DE59108682D1 (en) 1997-05-28
DE4010839A1 (en) 1991-10-10
JP3148232B2 (en) 2001-03-19

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