EP2876298A1 - Procédé et appareil pour commander un système d'allumage avec deux bobines pour une bougie - Google Patents
Procédé et appareil pour commander un système d'allumage avec deux bobines pour une bougie Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2876298A1 EP2876298A1 EP13193801.1A EP13193801A EP2876298A1 EP 2876298 A1 EP2876298 A1 EP 2876298A1 EP 13193801 A EP13193801 A EP 13193801A EP 2876298 A1 EP2876298 A1 EP 2876298A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- primary
- switches
- ignition system
- control unit
- secondary current
- 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.)
- Pending
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Classifications
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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
- F02P3/00—Other installations
- F02P3/02—Other installations having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils
- F02P3/04—Layout of circuits
- F02P3/0407—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with electronic switching means
- F02P3/0435—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with electronic switching means with semiconductor devices
- F02P3/0442—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with electronic switching means with semiconductor devices using digital techniques
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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
- 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
- F02P15/10—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 having continuous electric sparks
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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
- 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
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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
- F02P3/00—Other installations
- F02P3/02—Other installations having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils
- F02P3/04—Layout of circuits
- F02P3/05—Layout of circuits for control of the magnitude of the current in the ignition coil
- F02P3/051—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices
- F02P3/053—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices using digital techniques
-
- 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
- F02P3/00—Other installations
- F02P3/02—Other installations having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils
- F02P3/04—Layout of circuits
- F02P3/055—Layout of circuits with protective means to prevent damage to the circuit, e.g. semiconductor devices or the ignition coil
- F02P3/0552—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices
- F02P3/0554—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices using digital techniques
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ignition system and method of controlling spark plugs. It has particular but not exclusive application to systems which are adapted to provide a continuous spark, such as a multi-spark plug ignition system.
- Ignition engines that use very lean air-fuel mixtures have been developed, that is, having a higher air composition to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Prior art systems generally use large, high energy, single spark ignition coils, which have a limited spark duration and energy output.
- multi-charge ignition systems have been developed. Multi-charge systems produce a fast sequence of individual sparks, so that the output is a long quasi-continuous spark.
- Multi-charge ignition methods have the disadvantage that the spark is interrupted during the recharge periods, which has negative effects, particularly noticeable when high turbulences are present in the combustion chamber. For example this can lead to misfire, resulting in higher fuel consumption and higher emissions.
- EP2325476 discloses a multi-charge ignition system without these negative effects and, at least partly, producing a continuous ignition spark over a wide area of burn voltage, delivering an adjustable energy to the spark plug and providing with a burning time of the ignition fire that can be chosen freely.
- the system described above uses a step down converter stage to limit the maximum input current such as transistor switch and diode.
- the step-down converter means that additional components are required. It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method of operation where there are a reduced number of components, thus providing a cheaper alternative system.
- an ignition system including a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two stages comprising a first transformer (T1) including a first primary winding (L1) inductively coupled to a first secondary winding (L2); a second transformer (T2) including a second primary winding (L3) inductively coupled to a second secondary winding (L4); said control unit enabled to simultaneously energize and deenergize primary windings (L1, L3) by simultaneously switching on and off two corresponding switches (Q1, Q2) to maintain a continuous ignition fire, wherein means to implement operation is based solely on selective switching of switches Q1 and Q2.
- the system may include means to determine when the primary or secondary current reaches a threshold, and dependent thereon selectively switching off both of said switches.
- the means to determine when the primary or secondary current reaches a threshold may comprise means to determine when the primary or secondary current reaches a threshold in a Coupled-MultiCharge-Mode.
- the ignition system may include means to determine if the primary or secondary current in the Coupled-MultiCharge-Mode mode reaches a threshold value, and if so switch both switches Q1 and Q2 off for a pre-set time, and thereafter resuming normal operation/toggling of the switches Q1 and Q2.
- the pre-set time may be preferably in the region of between 100 and 200 microseconds.
- the system may have means to measure said primary current.
- the system may have means to determine if the primary or secondary current reaches a minimum threshold value, and if so resuming normal operation/toggling of the switches Q1 and Q2.
- a method of controlling an ignition system including a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two stages comprising a first transformer (T1) including a first primary winding (L1) inductively coupled to a first secondary winding (L2); a second transformer (T2) including a second primary winding (L3) inductively coupled to a second secondary winding (L4); said control unit enabled to simultaneously energize and deenergize primary windings (L1, L3) by simultaneously switching on and off two corresponding switches (Q1, Q2) to maintain a continuous ignition fire, based solely on selective switching of switches Q1 and Q2.
- the method may include determining when the primary or secondary current reaches a threshold, and dependent thereon selectively switching off both of said switches.
- the determining and selective switching is preferably performed in a Coupled-MultiCharge-Mode.
- the method may include determining if the primary or secondary current in the Coupled-MultiCharge-Mode mode reaches a threshold value, and if so switching both switches Q1 and Q2 off for a pre-set time, and thereafter resuming normal operation/toggling of the switches Q1 and Q2.
- the pre-set time is in the region of between 100 and 200 microseconds.
- the method may include determining if the primary or secondary current reaches a minimum threshold value, and if so resuming normal operation/toggling of the switches Q1 and Q2.
- FIG. 1 shows the circuitry of a prior art coupled-multi-charge (CMC)ignition system for producing a continuous ignition spark over a wide area of burn voltage servicing a single set of gapped electrodes in a spark plug 11 such as might be associated with a single combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine (not shown).
- the CMC system uses fast charging ignition coils (L1-L4), including primary windings, L1, L2 to generate the required high DC-voltage.
- L1-L4 fast charging ignition coils
- the voltage and wound on a common core K1 forming a first transformer and secondary windings L3, L4 wound on another common core K2 are forming a second transformer.
- the two coil ends of the first and second primary 20 windings L1, L3 may be alternately switched to a common ground such as a chassis ground of an automobile by electrical switches Q1, Q2.
- These switches Q1, Q2 are preferably Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors.
- Resistor R1 for measuring the primary current Ip that flows from the primary side is connected between the switches Q1, Q2 and ground, while resistor R2 (25) for measuring the secondary current Is that flows from the secondary side is connected between the diodes D1, D2 and ground.
- the low-voltage ends of the secondary windings L2, L4 may be coupled to a common ground or chassis ground of an automobile through high-voltages diodes D1, D2.
- the high-voltage ends of the secondary ignition windings L2, L4 are coupled to one electrode of a gapped pair of electrodes in a spark plug 11 through conventional means.
- the other electrode of the spark plug 11 is also coupled to a common ground, conventionally by way of threaded engagement of the spark plug to the engine block.
- the primary windings L1, L3 are connected to a common energizing potential which in the present embodiment is assumed to correspond to conventional automotive system voltage in a nominal 12V automotive electrical system and is in the figure the positive voltage of battery.
- the charge current can be supervised by an electronic control circuit 13 that controls the state of the switches Q1, Q2.
- the control circuit 13 is for example responsive to engine spark timing (EST) signals, supplied by the ECU, to selectively couple the primary windings L1 and L2 to system ground through switches Q1 and Q2 respectively controlled by signals Igbt1 and Igbt2, respectively.
- Measured primary current Ip and secondary current Is are sent to control unit 13.
- the common energizing potential of the battery 15 is coupled by way of an ignition switch M1 to the primary windings L1, L3 at 20 the opposite end that the grounded one.
- Switch M1 is preferably a MOSFET transistor.
- a diode D3 or any other semiconductor switch e.g.
- MOSFET MOSFET
- Control unit 13 is enabled to switch off switch M1 by means of a signal FET.
- the diode D3 or any other semiconductor switch will be switched on when M1 is off and vice versa.
- the control circuit 13 is operative to provide an extended continuous high-energy arc across the gapped electrodes.
- switches M1, Q1 and Q2 are all switched on, so that the delivered energy of the power supply 15 is stored in the magnetic circuit of both transformers (T1, T2).
- both primary windings are switched off at the same time by means of switches Q1 and Q2.
- On the secondary side of the transformers a high voltage is induced and an ignition spark is created through the gapped electrodes of the spark plug 11.
- switch Q1 is switched on and switch Q2 is switched off (or vice versa).
- the first transformer (L1, L2) stores energy into its magnetic circuit while the second transformer (L3, L4) delivers energy to spark plug (or vice versa).
- the control unit detects it and switches transistor M1 off.
- the stored energy in the transformer (L1, L2 or L3, L4) that is switched on (Q1, or Q2) impels a current over diode D3 (step-down topology), so that the transformer cannot go into the magnetic saturation, its energy being limited.
- transistor M1 will be permanently switched on and off to hold the energy in the transformer on a constant level.
- steps 3 to 5 will be iterated by sequentially switching on and off switches Q1 and Q2 as long as the control unit switches both switches Q1 and Q2 off.
- Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement to figure 1 with similar reference numerals.
- the step down converter stage and two coil stages are outlined in broken lines 1, 2, 3 respectively.
- the control unit has input means to determine the voltage at the secondary stages.
- the figure also shows the connectivity of the spark plug control unit with the engine control unit.
- Figure 3a and b shows a plot of the primary and secondary currents against time respectively, during operation of the figure 2 system.
- the system of figure 2 is using a step-converter-stage to limit the maximum input current and with this the input power e.g. during the Coupled-MultiCharge-Mode where the power is supplied alternately to the coils.
- the switch M1 is pulsed this way that the primary current remains on a constant level.
- the switches Q1 and Q2 are toggled, to provide continuous spark, and the down-converter function is to limit input current.
- the step down converter is eliminated; in other words the switches M1 and D1 are eliminated, and the control of the ignition system implemented in a novel fashion, and in an example, control of the switches Q1 and Q2 are used also to limit the (maximum) input current.
- Figure 4 shows a figure of the circuitry according to one example of the invention without the step-down converter stage. As can be seen it includes as in the figure 2 circuitry, two coil stages being entirely controlled by switches Q1 and Q2, the control being implemented by the control unit. As can be seen there are connections from the low side of the secondary coils to the control unit which can be used by the control unit to determine the voltages at the stages. However it is to be noted that according to simple embodiments these can be dispensed with. The low side of the secondary coils are connected to diodes D1 and D2 as before. In addition, a line connects the ground side of the diodes to the control unit so that the current in the secondary coils can be measured. According to one aspect, means to implement operation is based solely on selective switching of switches Q1 and Q2.
- Figure 5a and 5b illustrate the methodology used in one embodiment to implement control of the system during the charge coupled mode.
- Figures 5a and b and shows the primary current and secondary current respectively in an ignition cycle.
- both switches Q1 and Q2 are switched off for a period of time, typically between 100 and 200 microseconds. During this time the transformers are discharging their stored energy into the spark ignition and so as can be seen from the trace of the secondary current in figure 5b .
- the magnetic circuit cannot go into magnetic saturation and will not end in a fast oscillating system. After expiry of said time period, normal operation of the circuitry in CMC mode is resumed; that is to say the switches Q1 and Q2 are toggled as before.
- the switches Q1 and Q2 are switched off until the secondary current reaches a particular minimum secondary current threshold.
- the secondary current is measured or estimated (e.g. by the control unit by e.g. the connections shown in figure 3 ) and compared with a threshold which may be stored in the control unit. This threshold may be signaled by the ECU and may be variable. After this, again, normal operation of the circuitry in CMC mode is resumed; that is to say the switches Q1 and Q2 are toggled as before.
- this secondary current threshold may be a set proportion (e.g. twice as much) of the typically adjusted threshold in standard CMC mode.
- the primary current may be measured/estimated and compared with a minimum threshold, which once reached, causes resumption in operation (i.e. toggling Q1 and Q2).
- the threshold value may be stored in the control unit. This may be variable depending on the operation and/or other parameters.
- FIG 4 there is a line which connects to the control unit which enables primary current to be measured.
- this line may be omitted and, during the recharge-cycle it is possible to determine the primary current based on the previously measured secondary current level for the same coil stage. Together with the battery voltage, the gradient of the primary current is determined and then the primary current can be determined.
- the primary current can be measured e.g. by providing a line from the primary coil stages to the control unit. Alternatively the primary current can be determined or estimated from the measured secondary current.
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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)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13193801.1A EP2876298A1 (fr) | 2013-11-21 | 2013-11-21 | Procédé et appareil pour commander un système d'allumage avec deux bobines pour une bougie |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13193801.1A EP2876298A1 (fr) | 2013-11-21 | 2013-11-21 | Procédé et appareil pour commander un système d'allumage avec deux bobines pour une bougie |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2876298A1 true EP2876298A1 (fr) | 2015-05-27 |
Family
ID=49674179
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13193801.1A Pending EP2876298A1 (fr) | 2013-11-21 | 2013-11-21 | Procédé et appareil pour commander un système d'allumage avec deux bobines pour une bougie |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2876298A1 (fr) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2547003A (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2017-08-09 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Transformer assembly |
GB2549251A (en) * | 2016-04-13 | 2017-10-18 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
DE102017216227B3 (de) | 2017-09-13 | 2019-03-07 | Audi Ag | Steuerschaltung zur Ansteuerung einer Zündspule einer Brennkraftmaschine sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben einer solchen Steuerschaltung |
US10788006B2 (en) | 2015-11-09 | 2020-09-29 | Delphi Automotive Systems Luxembourg Sa | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
GB2599420A (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2022-04-06 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102007034390A1 (de) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Daimler Ag | Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Zündsystems für einen fremdzündbaren Verbrennungsmotor eines Kraftfahrzeugs und Zündsystem |
EP2325476A1 (fr) | 2009-11-20 | 2011-05-25 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Système d'allumage couplé à charges multiples doté d'un circuit de contrôle intelligent |
EP2410169A1 (fr) * | 2010-07-22 | 2012-01-25 | Diamond Electric MFG. Co., Ltd. | Système de contrôle pour moteur à combustion interne |
DE102012106207B3 (de) * | 2012-03-14 | 2013-05-23 | Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh | Verfahren zum Ansteuern einer Funkenstrecke, insbesondere einer Zündkerze |
-
2013
- 2013-11-21 EP EP13193801.1A patent/EP2876298A1/fr active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102007034390A1 (de) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Daimler Ag | Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Zündsystems für einen fremdzündbaren Verbrennungsmotor eines Kraftfahrzeugs und Zündsystem |
EP2325476A1 (fr) | 2009-11-20 | 2011-05-25 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Système d'allumage couplé à charges multiples doté d'un circuit de contrôle intelligent |
EP2410169A1 (fr) * | 2010-07-22 | 2012-01-25 | Diamond Electric MFG. Co., Ltd. | Système de contrôle pour moteur à combustion interne |
DE102012106207B3 (de) * | 2012-03-14 | 2013-05-23 | Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh | Verfahren zum Ansteuern einer Funkenstrecke, insbesondere einer Zündkerze |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10788006B2 (en) | 2015-11-09 | 2020-09-29 | Delphi Automotive Systems Luxembourg Sa | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
GB2547003A (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2017-08-09 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Transformer assembly |
GB2549251A (en) * | 2016-04-13 | 2017-10-18 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
GB2549251B (en) * | 2016-04-13 | 2019-11-13 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
US10844825B2 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2020-11-24 | Delphi Automotive Systems Luxembourg Sa | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
DE102017216227B3 (de) | 2017-09-13 | 2019-03-07 | Audi Ag | Steuerschaltung zur Ansteuerung einer Zündspule einer Brennkraftmaschine sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben einer solchen Steuerschaltung |
GB2599420A (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2022-04-06 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
GB2599420B (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2023-03-29 | Delphi Automotive Systems Lux | Method and apparatus to control an ignition system |
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