US3815560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ignition system for internal combustion engines
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract The timing of the distributor is adjusted by an electromechanical control loop in dependence on engine speed, intake manifold vacuum, exhaust gas composition, throttle position, or the like and includes electrical transducers to sense the parameters and electrical control amplifiers to provide output signals which are a composite of sensed and applied signals representative of the parameters and which control a force transducer to provide an output operating force acting on the distributor to control the timing of the ignition breaker points in dependence on a selected operating parameter, or on operating parameters, the loop preferably including a feedback branch to maintain the breaker operation in synchronism with engine rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Wahl
- 👤 H Moller
- 👤 H Kammerer
- 👤 R Zechnall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:25
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P5/00; F02P5/04; F02P5/145; F02P5/155; F02P5/1553; F02P5/1556; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a distributor (20) having breaker means (FIGS. 13, 15: 202, 203, 204) operating in synchronization with engine rotation and providing ignition pulses, the breaker means being adjustable (19) with respect to the angular position of the engine shaft to set the timing of the ignition pulses in relation to the cylical operation of the engine; an electro-mechanical control loop controlling the timing of the breaker means in dependence on at least one of the operating parameters of the engine: a. Speed ( f(n) ), b. Intake manifold vacuum ( f(p) ), said control loop including: electrical transducer means responsive to at least one of said parameters; electrical control amplifier means (70, 71) amplifying the signal from said transducer means; means (80, 95, 96) for generating pulses in synchronization with engine rotation; detection means (81) having the ignition pulses from the breaker means and the engine rotation pulses applied thereto and generating an error signal upon asynchronism of the ignition and the rotation pulses; a feedback circuit (82, 83, 17, 16) having said error signal applied thereto and feeding said error signal to said control amplifier means; and means (72, 74) for receiving control input from the control amplifier means to provide an output operating force (19) acting on said distributor (20) and connected to control the timing of the breaker means in dependence on the engine operating parameter, or parameters to which the transducer means responds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a distributor (20) having breaker means (FIGS. 13, 15: 202, 203, 204) operating in synchronization with engine rotation and providing ignition pulses, the breaker means being adjustable (19) with respect to the angular position of the engine shaft to set the timing of the ignition pulses in relation to the cylical operation of the engine; an electro-mechanical control loop controlling the timing of the breaker means in dependence on at least one of the operating parameters of the engine: a. Speed ( f(n) ), b. Intake manifold vacuum ( f(p) ), said control loop including: electrical transducer means responsive to at least one of said parameters; electrical control amplifier means (70, 71) amplifying the signal from said transducer means; means (80, 95, 96) for generating pulses in synchronization with engine rotation; detection means (81) having the ignition pulses from the breaker means and the engine rotation pulses applied thereto and generating an error signal upon asynchronism of the ignition and the rotation pulses; a feedback circuit (82, 83, 17, 16) having said error signal applied thereto and feeding said error signal to said control amplifier means; and means (72, 74) for receiving control input from the control amplifier means to provide an output operating force (19) acting on said distributor (20) and connected to control the timing of the breaker means in dependence on the engine operating parameter, or parameters to which the transducer means responds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to provide an output operating force comprises electro-magnetic mechanical transducer means to provide a mechanical positioning force as a function of engine operating parameter, or parameters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to provide an output operating force comprises electrical-fluid valve means (FIG. 15: 74) and fluid-positioning means (75) having a mechanical positioning output to provide a mechanical positioning force as a function of engine-operating parameter, or parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises: a bistable flip-flop (81); means to trigger the flip-flop to change state in one direction under the control of the ignition pulses from the breaker means and to change state in another direction under the control of The engine rotation pulses; and the feedback circuit comprises an averaging circuit (82) having its output connected to the flip-flop, the output of the averaging circuit being connected to the control amplifier means (70, 71) to provide a closed control loop and introduce a correction signal thereto if the commanded ignition pulses are not in accordance with engine speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pulse generating means (96, 80) are operatively connected to the flywheel (95) of the engine and provide pulses in synchronism with engine rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the engine rotation pulses are timed with respect to engine pulses such that the flip-flop changes state to one state and is immediately reset to another state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control loop further comprises a function generator (10), the control amplifier means (70, 71) being connected to the output of the function generator; and the output from at least one of said transducer means is applied to said function generator to provide a derived control signal for said amplifying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the engine speed transducer means (20) is responsive to engine speed and provides an output speed signal (151); vacuum transducer means are provided responsive to intake manifold vacuum in providing a vacuum signal (153); means (25) for receiving said speed signal and generating a first derivative signal responsive to the rate of change in speed and hence acceleration and deceleration of the engine and providing a derivative signal (152); said engine speed signal, said engine vacuum signal and said first derivative signal being applied to the input of said function generator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein an exhaust gas composition transducer means (41) is provided responsive to composition of the exhaust gases and providing an exhaust gas signal (154), said exhaust gas signal being applied to the input of said function generator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein an engine throttle position transducer is provided responsive to engine throttle position and providing a throttle position output signal (155), said engine throttle position signal being applied to said function generator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein an engine temperature transducer (60) is provided responsive to the engine temperature and providing a temperature output signal (156).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 including a summing circuit (16) to sum the signal from said function generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the function generator means (10) comprises an operational amplifier (12) connected as a summing circuit, the summing junction (11) forming the input to the operational amplifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein the engine speed transducer comprises a pulse repetition rate (PRR)-voltage conversion circuit (21) having pulses recurring in synchronism with engine rotation applied thereto; a non-linear amplifier (23) connected to the output of the PRR conversion circuit (21) and providing said speed output signal; and wherein the derivative speed generating means comprises a differentiator (25) having its input connected to the output of the PRR conversion circuit (21).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein a PRR conversion circuit comprises (FIG. 6) a mono-stable flip-flop (22) having an R-C circuit (221, 222) connected thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the non-linear amplifier means (23) comprises (FIG. 6) an operational amplifier (230) having a diode-resistor network (234, 235, 236) connected to its input circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 which further comprises a voltage divider circuit (90, 91; 232, 233), the diode-resistor network being connected to said voltage divider circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein the voltage divider (232, 233) has a tap point (231), said R-C network comprising a first resistor (234) connected to the tap point (231); a second resistor (235) and diode (236) in series therewith connected to the tap point (231), and a third resistor (237) connected to said first resistor (234) and to the series circuit of the second resistor (235 and the diode (236), the third resistor (237) being connected to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier (230); and a further resistor (239) connected to the tap point (231) and the inverting input of the operational amplifier (230).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising means (238) providing a reference voltage for non-inverting input of the operational amplifier (230); and a resistive feedback circuit (240) interconnecting the output of the operational amplifier and the inverting input thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a resistor (242) and a Zener diode (243) in series and providing a limiting voltage means; a resistor (241) interconnecting the output of the operational amplifier (230) and the limiting voltage means, the junction (240) of the resistor (241) and the limiting voltage means forming the output (151) of the non-linear amplifier (23).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein the intake vacuum transducer means comprises (FIG. 8) a vacuum diaphragm chamber (31) located in pressure responsive relation to the intake manifold of the engine; and position transducer means (32, 34, 35) responsive to the deflection of the diaphragm in the chamber and providing said vacuum signal (153).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the exhaust gas composition transducer means comprises (FIG. 5) a sensing element (41) exposed to the exhaust gases from the engine; and a signal translation circuit (43) translating the output from the sensing element and providing said exhaust gas signal (154).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein the translating circuit comprises a thermal sensing means (419) sensing the operating temperature of the sensing element; and heating means (415) applying heat to the sensing element when the sensing means is below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein the engine throttle position transducer means comprises a potentiometer (51) with a non-linear position-resistance characteristic having a variable slider arm coupled to move with movement of the throttle (50); and a reference voltage (UB) connected across the potentiometer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control loop comprises means (FIG. 14: 76) for generating a command signal (17) representative of commanded timing of the breaker means in relation to engine operations; and means (16) comparing the commanded signal with a signal controlling the means (72, 74) generating the output force to provide a controlled error signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the electro magnetic-mechanical transducer means comprises a rotary magnet means (72).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the electro-fluid valve means comprises a vacuum diaphragm chamber (755) and a control valve (74) controlling the connection of vacuum from the engine intake manifold to the vacuum chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distributor means (20) comprises (FIG. 15) a cam part (209) and a contact part (757) carrying the breaker contacts (203,204), said cam part being relatively movable with respect to the contact part in addition to movement of the cam part in synchronism with engine operation; and wherein the output operating force generating means are connected to the cam part (209).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distributor means (20) comprises a cam part (209) and a contact part (257) carrying the breaker cOntacts, said cam part being relatively movable with respect to the contact part in addition to movement of the cam part in synchronism with engine operation; and wherein the output operating force generating means are connected to said contact part (757).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 28 wherein the distributor (20) additionally comprises centrifugally operated means responsive to engine speed changing the relative position of said contact part with respect to cyclical engine operation to change the timing of the spark pulses.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein the distributor additionally comprises centrifugally operable means responsive to engine speed changing the relative position of said contact part with respect to cyclical engine operation to change the timing of said spark pulses.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 28 wherein the distributor (20) additionally comprises centrifugally operable means responsive to engine speed changing the relative position of said cam part with respect to cyclical engine operation to change the timing of the spark pulses.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein the distributor (20) additionally comprises centrifugally operating means responsive to engine speed changing the relative position of said cam part with respect to cyclical engine operation to change the timing of the spark pulses.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of controlling the ignition timing of internal combustion engines having an ignition pulse generating means comprising the steps of generating an electrical signal representative of at least one engine operating parameter; translating said signal into a mechanical force representative of a change of ignition timing upon change of operating conditions of the engine; applying said force to the ignition pulse generating means in a direction to change the timing of said ignition pulse generating means with respect to cyclical operation of the engine; generating a signal in synchronism with actual engine rotation; generating an electrical signal representative of timing of commanded ignition pulses as determined by the application of said force; detecting discrepancies between said actual engine rotation signal and said commanded ignition pulse signal; deriving an error signal representative of said discrepancy; and modifying said electrical signal representative of engine operating parameters by said error signal in a direction to null said error signal.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of controlling the ignition timing of internal combustion engines having an ignition pulse generating means comprising the steps of generating an electrical signal representative of at least one engine operating parameter; translating said signal into a mechanical force representative of a change of ignition timing upon change of operating conditions of the engine; applying said force to the ignition pulse generating means in a direction to change the timing of said ignition pulse generating means with respect to cyclical operation of the engine; generating a signal in synchronism with actual engine rotation; generating an electrical signal representative of timing of commanded ignition pulses as determined by the application of said force; detecting discrepancies between said actual engine rotation signal and said commanded ignition pulse signal; deriving an error signal representative of said discrepancy; and modifying said electrical signal representative of engine operating parameters by said error signal in a direction to null said error signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein the step of generating an electrical signal representative of engine operating parameters comprises generating at least three of the signals representative of engine intake vacuum, engine speed, change in engine speed, exhaust gas composition, engine temperature; and comprising the step of forming a composite control signal, said composite control signal forming the signal being translated into the mechanical force.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |