초록 ▼

A respective power semiconductor switch (M1, M2, M3) is provided for each ignition coil (20) of an internal combustion engine. Each such switch (M1, M2, M3) has a first main electrode (C) for coupling the primary winding (20a) of the associated ignition coil (20) to a first voltage supply line (1),

A respective power semiconductor switch (M1, M2, M3) is provided for each ignition coil (20) of an internal combustion engine. Each such switch (M1, M2, M3) has a first main electrode (C) for coupling the primary winding (20a) of the associated ignition coil (20) to a first voltage supply line (1), and a control electrode (G) coupled to an respective ignition control line (Ign1, Ign2, Ign3) for rendering these switches (M1, M2, M3) conducting in a given sequence. A further semiconductor device (M4) has first and second main electrodes (d and s) coupled between second main electrodes (E) of the power semiconductor switches (M1, M2, M3) and a second voltage supply line (2), and a control electrode (g) for a drive signal controlling the current flow through the device (M4). A current sensing arrangement (Rs) senses the current flowing through this further device (M4). A control device (30) common to the switches (M1, M2, M3) of the coils (20) controls the drive signal to the control electrode (g) of the further device (M4) to limit the current through this further device (M4) to a predetermined value and then to turn off this further device (M4) so as to render a conducting one of the switches (M1, M2, M3) non-conducting to initiate sparking in the cylinder associated with that one switch. Sophisticated logic and control functions can be integrated with the common control device (30). The complex impedance of the ignition coil (20) can be isolated readily from the control loop of the further device (M4) and control device (30) by the switches (M1, M2, . . . ) operating in cascade with the further device (M4).

대표청구항 ▼

An ignition control circuit for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and at least two ignition coils, each of said coils having a primary and a secondary winding and providing current to no more than two of said cylinders, said ignition control circuit comprising: a. a respe

An ignition control circuit for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and at least two ignition coils, each of said coils having a primary and a secondary winding and providing current to no more than two of said cylinders, said ignition control circuit comprising: a. a respective power semiconductor switch for each of said at least two ignition coils, each of said power semiconductor switches having: (1) a first main electrode, coupled via the primary winding of the respective ignition coil to a first voltage supply line; and (2) a second main electrode and a control electrode coupled to a respective ignition control line; said control electrodes enabling the power semiconductor switches to be rendered conducting in a specific sequence; b. a semiconductor device having first and second main electrodes, coupled between the second main electrodes of the power semiconductor switches and a second voltage supply line, and a control electrode for receiving a drive signal for controlling the current flow through said semiconductor device; c. current sensing means for sensing the current flowing through the semiconductor device; and d. a control device responsive to the sensed current for controlling the drive signal to limit the current through the semiconductor device to a predetermined value and responsive to an input signal for turning off the semiconductor device to render a conducting one of the power semiconductor switches into a non-conducting state, thereby initiating sparking in one of the cylinders associated with said power semiconductor switch that is rendered into said non-conducting state.