EP1045137B1 - Ignition device for piston combustion engines - Google Patents

Ignition device for piston combustion engines Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1045137B1
EP1045137B1 EP00105457A EP00105457A EP1045137B1 EP 1045137 B1 EP1045137 B1 EP 1045137B1 EP 00105457 A EP00105457 A EP 00105457A EP 00105457 A EP00105457 A EP 00105457A EP 1045137 B1 EP1045137 B1 EP 1045137B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
electrode
ignition device
counter
ignition
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
Application number
EP00105457A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1045137A2 (en
EP1045137A3 (en
Inventor
Josef Holzmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Original Assignee
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG filed Critical Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Publication of EP1045137A2 publication Critical patent/EP1045137A2/en
Publication of EP1045137A3 publication Critical patent/EP1045137A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1045137B1 publication Critical patent/EP1045137B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F02P15/00—Electric spark ignition having characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F02P1/00 - F02P13/00 and combined with layout of ignition circuits
    • F02P15/04—Electric spark ignition having characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F02P1/00 - F02P13/00 and combined with layout of ignition circuits one of the spark electrodes being mounted on the engine working piston

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ignition device for reciprocating internal combustion engines having the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such an ignition device is known from DE 214 918 C and US-A-1 401 231.
  • a use of these igniters in internal combustion engines with gasoline direct injection may be problematic due to the only locally present ignitable mixture.
  • a further ignition device for reciprocating internal combustion engines with a arranged in the piston crown movable piston electrode and arranged in the cylinder head counter-electrode is known in which forms a spark gap between the two electrodes. It is a “spark to piston” device in which the piston electrode protrudes slightly from the piston crown and is arranged in alignment with the counter-electrode, which is located approximately in the center of the combustion chamber.
  • Such a device is not suitable in particular for igniting extremely lean mixtures, since the spark gap has a minimum distance only at top dead center of the piston. Whether an ignition spark actually develops depends on various factors which are different over the entire operating range of the internal combustion engine. These include a sufficiently flammable mixture, the operating temperature, the ignition energy and the edge steepness for the construction of the secondary voltage.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an ignition device of the type mentioned, which safely triggers an ignition even with extremely lean mixtures.
  • the length of the spark gap during a period of time that is longer than the ignition duration and includes this period at least approximately constant.
  • the piston and counterelectrode perform a relative movement over a certain path of the counterelectrode.
  • the time can therefore be adapted to the respective operating conditions and vary according to these conditions.
  • the device described with the features of claim 3 is distinguished from an alternative device, in which the counter-electrode is moved, by a simple structural design.
  • the means of claim 5 serve the formation of a Spark to promote even stronger.
  • a further variant, which can be used alternatively or in addition to the first variant, is specified in claim 6.
  • a piston 2 which is movable by a drive 3.
  • a piston electrode 5 which protrudes from the ground as shown.
  • a counter-electrode 6 Associated with the electrode 5 is a counter-electrode 6, which is connected via a high-voltage supply 7 and a high-voltage terminal 8 to an ignition coil, not shown.
  • the electrode 5 moves past the counter-electrode 6 during the movement of the piston 2.
  • the electrodes 5 and 6 there is a constant minimum distance between the electrodes 5 and 6.
  • this minimum distance forms a spark with appropriate control of the high voltage terminal 8 with which it is possible to ignite especially lean mixtures.
  • the piston electrode 15 is formed as a support point in the piston crown. It consists of an electrically conductive cap 17 which sits on an insulator 18. The insulator 18 is fixed in the piston crown.
  • a spark which forms between the piston bottom 4 and the counter-electrode 6, now overcomes two insulation paths 19 and 20, namely between the counter electrode 6 and the cap 17 on the one hand (19) and between the cap 17 and the bottom 4 (20).
  • the overall path to be overcome in this case is significantly lower than the minimum distance 21 between the counterelectrode 6 and the base 4, which exists at least during the ignition process.
  • the ignition devices shown are particularly suitable for use in internal combustion engines with gasoline direct injection, where only locally an ignitable mixture is present.

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Zündvorrichtung für Kolben-Brennkraftmaschinen mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs von Patentanspruch 1. Eine derartige Zündvorrichtung ist aus der DE 214 918 C und der US-A-1 401 231 bekannt. Ein Einsatz dieser Zündvorrichtungen bei Brennkraftmaschinen mit Benzin-Direkteinspritzung kann auf Grund des nur lokal vorhandenen zündfähigen Gemischs problematisch sein.The invention relates to an ignition device for reciprocating internal combustion engines having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such an ignition device is known from DE 214 918 C and US-A-1 401 231. A use of these igniters in internal combustion engines with gasoline direct injection may be problematic due to the only locally present ignitable mixture.

Ferner ist aus der WO 96/13660 eine weitere Zündvorrichtung für Kolben-Brennkraftmaschinen mit einer im Kolbenboden angeordneten bewegbaren Kolbenelektrode und einer im Zylinderkopf angeordneten Gegen-Elektrode bekannt, bei der sich zwischen den beiden Elektroden eine Funkenstrecke ausbildet. Es handelt sich dabei um eine "Spark To Piston" Vorrichtung, bei der die Kolbenelektrode geringfügig aus dem Kolbenboden hervorsteht und fluchtend zur Gegen-Elektrode angeordnet ist, die sich etwa im Zentrum des Brennraums befindet.Furthermore, from WO 96/13660 a further ignition device for reciprocating internal combustion engines with a arranged in the piston crown movable piston electrode and arranged in the cylinder head counter-electrode is known in which forms a spark gap between the two electrodes. It is a "spark to piston" device in which the piston electrode protrudes slightly from the piston crown and is arranged in alignment with the counter-electrode, which is located approximately in the center of the combustion chamber.

Eine derartige Vorrichtung ist insbesondere zum Zünden extrem magerer Gemische nicht geeignet, da die Funkenstrecke nur am oberen Totpunkt des Kolbens einen minimalen Abstand besitzt. Ob sich dabei tatsächlich ein Zündfunke ausbildet, hängt von verschiedenen Faktoren ab, die über den gesamten Betriebsbereich der Brennkraftmaschine unterschiedlich sind. Hierzu gehören ein ausreichend zündfähiges Gemisch, die Betriebstemperatur, die Zündenergie und die Flankensteilheit für den Aufbau der Sekundärspannung.Such a device is not suitable in particular for igniting extremely lean mixtures, since the spark gap has a minimum distance only at top dead center of the piston. Whether an ignition spark actually develops depends on various factors which are different over the entire operating range of the internal combustion engine. These include a sufficiently flammable mixture, the operating temperature, the ignition energy and the edge steepness for the construction of the secondary voltage.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Zündvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die auch bei extrem mageren Gemischen sicher einen Zündvorgang auslöst.The invention has for its object to provide an ignition device of the type mentioned, which safely triggers an ignition even with extremely lean mixtures.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1.The invention solves this problem with the features of patent claim 1.

Durch die im Vergleich zum Abstand der Gegen-Elektrode vom Kolbenboden kleinere Funkenstrecke ist die zum Zünden des Kraftstoff-Luftgemischs erforderliche Zündenergie wesentlich geringer als bei der nach dem Stand der Technik bekannten Anordnung. Ergänzend bedingt durch die Ausbildung der Kolbenelektrode als eine gegenüber dem Kolbenboden isoliert angeordnete Stützstelle aus elektrisch leitfähigem Material wird bei gleichbleibender Zündenergie auch die Zündsicherheit erhöht.By compared to the distance of the counter-electrode from the piston crown smaller spark gap required for igniting the fuel-air mixture ignition energy is much lower than in the known prior art arrangement. In addition, due to the design of the piston electrode as an isolated from the piston head base support point made of electrically conductive material, the ignition reliability is increased with the same ignition energy.

Konstruktive Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den weiteren Patentansprüchen angegeben. Bei der im Patentanspruch 2 angegebenen Ausführung lässt sich die Länge der Funkenstrecke während einer Zeitdauer, die länger als die Zünddauer ist und diese Zeitdauer einschließt, zumindest annähernd konstant halten. Während dieser Zeit führen Kolben- und Gegen-Elektrode über einen gewissen Weg der Gegen-Elektrode eine Relativbewegung durch. Dadurch kann der Zeitpunkt, zu dem tatsächlich die Zündung erfolgt, zumindest in gewissen Grenzen variabel in Bezug auf die Bewegung des Kolbens gewählt werden. Der Zeitpunkt kann daher an die jeweiligen Betriebsbedingungen angepasst werden und entsprechend diesen Bedingungen variieren.Constructive embodiments of the invention are specified in the further claims. In the embodiment specified in claim 2, the length of the spark gap during a period of time that is longer than the ignition duration and includes this period, at least approximately constant. During this time, the piston and counterelectrode perform a relative movement over a certain path of the counterelectrode. Thereby, the time at which the ignition actually takes place, at least within certain limits variable with respect to the movement of the piston can be selected. The time can therefore be adapted to the respective operating conditions and vary according to these conditions.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen dieser Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der Patentansprüche 3 bis 5.Advantageous embodiments of this embodiment of the invention are the subject of claims 3 to 5.

Die mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 3 beschriebene Vorrichtung zeichnet sich gegenüber einer alternativen Vorrichtung, bei der auch die Gegen-Elektrode bewegt wird, durch einen einfachen konstruktiven Aufbau aus.The device described with the features of claim 3 is distinguished from an alternative device, in which the counter-electrode is moved, by a simple structural design.

Mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 4 ergibt sich eine Vorrichtung, die auf besonders einfache Weise eine Konstanz der Funkenstrecke über einen gewissen Weg des Kolbens erreicht.With the features of claim 4 results in a device that achieves a constancy of the spark gap over a certain way of the piston in a particularly simple manner.

Schließlich dienen die Mittel des Patentanspruchs 5 dazu, die Ausbildung eines Zündfunkens noch stärker zu fördern.Finally, the means of claim 5 serve the formation of a Spark to promote even stronger.

Eine weitere Ausführungsvariante, die altemativ oder ergänzend zur ersten Variante einsetzbar ist, ist in Patentanspruch 6 angegeben.A further variant, which can be used alternatively or in addition to the first variant, is specified in claim 6.

Anhand der Zeichnung ist die Erfindung weiter erläutert. Es zeigt

Fig. 1
einen Schnitt durch den Zylinder einer Brennkraftmaschine mit einer ersten Ausführung der erfindungsgemäßen Zündvorrichtung,
Fig. 2
den Schnitt von Fig. 1 für einen demgegenüber geänderten Bewegungszustand des Kolbens, und
Fig. 3
eine zweite Ausführungsform in schematischer Darstellung.
Reference to the drawing, the invention is further explained. It shows
Fig. 1
a section through the cylinder of an internal combustion engine with a first embodiment of the ignition device according to the invention,
Fig. 2
the section of Figure 1 for a contrast changed state of movement of the piston, and
Fig. 3
a second embodiment in a schematic representation.

Bei dem in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel befindet sich in einem Zylinder 1 ein Kolben 2, der durch einen Antrieb 3 bewegbar ist. Im Boden 4 des Kolbens 2 befindet sich eine Kolben-Elektrode 5, die aus dem Boden wie dargestellt hervorsteht.In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is located in a cylinder 1, a piston 2 which is movable by a drive 3. In the bottom 4 of the piston 2 is a piston electrode 5, which protrudes from the ground as shown.

Der Elektrode 5 zugeordnet ist eine Gegen-Elektrode 6, die über eine Hochspannungszuführung 7 und einen Hochspannungsanschluß 8 mit einer nicht dargestellten Zündspule verbunden ist.Associated with the electrode 5 is a counter-electrode 6, which is connected via a high-voltage supply 7 and a high-voltage terminal 8 to an ignition coil, not shown.

Wie insbesondere aus Fig. 2 zu erkennen, bewegt sich die Elektrode 5 bei der Bewegung des Kolbens 2 an der Gegen-Elektrode 6 vorbei. Während eines Zeitraums, der vor Erreichen des in Fig. 2 dargestellten oberen Totpunkts des Kolbens 2 liegt und deutlich nach diesem Zeitpunkt endet, besteht ein gleichbleibender Minimalabstand zwischen den Elektroden 5 und 6. Innerhalb dieses Minimalabstands bildet sich bei entsprechender Ansteuerung des Hochspannungsanschlusses 8 ein Zündfunke aus, mit dem es möglich ist, auch besonders magere Gemische zu entflammen.As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the electrode 5 moves past the counter-electrode 6 during the movement of the piston 2. During a period which is before reaching the top dead center of the piston 2 shown in FIG. 2 and ends significantly after this time, there is a constant minimum distance between the electrodes 5 and 6. Within this minimum distance forms a spark with appropriate control of the high voltage terminal 8 with which it is possible to ignite especially lean mixtures.

Beim Beispiel von Fig. 3 ist die Kolben-Elektrode 15 als Stützstelle im Kolbenboden ausgebildet. Sie besteht aus einer elektrisch leitfähigen Kappe 17, die auf einem Isolator 18 sitzt. Der Isolator 18 ist im Kolbenboden befestigt. Ein Zündfunken, der sich zwischen dem Kolben-Boden 4 und der Gegen-Elektrode 6 ausbildet, überwindet nunmehr zwei Isolationsstrecken 19 und 20, nämlich zwischen der Gegenlektrode 6 und der Kappe 17 einerseits (19) und zwischen der Kappe 17 und dem Boden 4 (20). Der dabei insgesamt zu überwindende Weg ist deutlich geringer als der zumindest während des Zündvorgangs bestehende minimale Abstand 21 zwischen der Gegen-Elektrode 6 und dem Boden 4.In the example of Fig. 3, the piston electrode 15 is formed as a support point in the piston crown. It consists of an electrically conductive cap 17 which sits on an insulator 18. The insulator 18 is fixed in the piston crown. A spark, which forms between the piston bottom 4 and the counter-electrode 6, now overcomes two insulation paths 19 and 20, namely between the counter electrode 6 and the cap 17 on the one hand (19) and between the cap 17 and the bottom 4 (20). The overall path to be overcome in this case is significantly lower than the minimum distance 21 between the counterelectrode 6 and the base 4, which exists at least during the ignition process.

Auch eine Ausführung, bei der die Gegen-Elektrode 6 während des Zündvorgangs analog zu Fig.2 über die Elektrode 15 hinausragt, liegt im Rahmen der Erfindung, sofern die Summe aus den Strecken 19 und 20 kleiner als die entsprechende Strekke 21 ist.An embodiment in which the counter-electrode 6 protrudes beyond the electrode 15 during the ignition process analogously to FIG. 2 is within the scope of the invention, provided that the sum of the distances 19 and 20 is smaller than the corresponding distance 21.

Damit eignen sich die dargestellten Zündvorrichtungen besonders zum Einsatz bei Brennkraftmaschinen mit Benzin-Direkteinspritzung, bei denen nur lokal ein zündfähiges Gemisch vorhanden ist.Thus, the ignition devices shown are particularly suitable for use in internal combustion engines with gasoline direct injection, where only locally an ignitable mixture is present.

Claims (6)

  1. An ignition device for piston-driven combustion engines comprising a movable piston electrode arranged in the piston head and a counter-electrode arranged in the cylinder head, and comprising a spark gap formed between the two electrodes, the spatial arrangement of the two electrodes being such that the piston gap is smaller than the minimum spacing between the counter-electrode and the piston head, characterised in that the piston electrode is configured as a support point which is arranged in an insulated manner relative to the piston head and made of electrically conductive material.
  2. An ignition device according to claim 1, characterised in that the spatial association of the two electrodes is such that the minimum spacing of the two electrodes directly before and/or after the ignition process is at least virtually constant.
  3. An ignition device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the piston electrode is moved laterally with respect to the counter-electrode.
  4. An ignition device according to claim 3, characterised in that the piston electrode projects beyond the counter-electrode at the top dead centre of the piston.
  5. An ignition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the counter-electrode has an electrically conductive extension directed toward the piston electrode.
  6. An ignition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the spark gap has a constant longitudinally invariable portion.
EP00105457A 1999-04-14 2000-03-15 Ignition device for piston combustion engines Expired - Lifetime EP1045137B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19916806A DE19916806A1 (en) 1999-04-14 1999-04-14 Ignition device for piston internal combustion engines
DE19916806 1999-04-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1045137A2 EP1045137A2 (en) 2000-10-18
EP1045137A3 EP1045137A3 (en) 2002-07-31
EP1045137B1 true EP1045137B1 (en) 2006-02-22

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00105457A Expired - Lifetime EP1045137B1 (en) 1999-04-14 2000-03-15 Ignition device for piston combustion engines

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6453862B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1045137B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2000297734A (en)
DE (2) DE19916806A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2257983T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE522013C2 (en) * 2000-01-28 2004-01-07 Saab Automobile Method for generating ignition spark and ignition electrode arrangement in an internal combustion engine
US6634331B2 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-10-21 Rosario Truglio Piston with integrated spark electrode
US7004120B2 (en) * 2003-05-09 2006-02-28 Warren James C Opposed piston engine
US20080300473A1 (en) * 2005-12-16 2008-12-04 Cas Medical Systems , Inc. Stabilized Multi-Wavelength Laser System for Non-Invasive Spectrophotometric Monitoring
JP5934851B2 (en) * 2009-10-06 2016-06-15 イマジニアリング株式会社 Internal combustion engine
JP2017227164A (en) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-28 いすゞ自動車株式会社 Ignitor of internal combustion engine

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE214918C (en) *
US664360A (en) * 1896-12-26 1900-12-18 Albert T Otto Igniter gas or oil engines.
US1401231A (en) * 1921-07-09 1921-12-27 Anderson August Eugene Contact for spark-gaps
DE634853C (en) * 1934-07-17 1936-09-07 Otto Nagel Ignition device for internal combustion engines
DE633611C (en) * 1934-12-20 1936-07-31 Otto Nagel Adjustable ignition device for internal combustion engines
SE502604C2 (en) * 1994-10-27 1995-11-20 Saab Automobile Fuel injection device with spark plug function

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19916806A1 (en) 2000-10-26
JP2000297734A (en) 2000-10-24
EP1045137A2 (en) 2000-10-18
ES2257983T3 (en) 2006-08-16
EP1045137A3 (en) 2002-07-31
US6453862B1 (en) 2002-09-24
DE50012242D1 (en) 2006-04-27

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