US5226394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Misfire-detecting system for internal combustion engines
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-10-28
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2012-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A misfire-detecting system for an internal combustion engine detects a value of sparking voltage generated after generation of an ignition command signal, compares the detected value of sparking voltage with a predetermined voltage value, and determines whether or not a misfire has occurred in the engine, based upon results of the comparison. The determination as to occurrence of the misfire is effected, based upon results of the comparison between the detected value of the sparking voltage and the predetermined voltage value, obtained within a previously set limited comparison period.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuuichi Shimasaki
- 👤 Masataka Chikamatsu
- 👤 Takuji Ishioka
- 👤 Shigetaka Kuroda
- 👤 Hideaki Arai
- 👤 Masaki Kanehiro
- 👤 Takashi Hisaki
- 👤 Shigeru Maruyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P17/00; F02P17/12; F02P2017/121; F02P2017/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A misfire-detecting system for detecting a misfire occurring in an internal combustion engine having an ignition system including at least one spark plug, engine operating condition-detecting means for detecting values of operating parameters of said engine, signal-generating means for determining ignition timing of said engine, based upon the detected values of said operating parameters of said engine and generating an ignition command signal indicative of the determined ignition timing, and igniting means responsive to said ignition command signal for generating sparking voltage for discharging said at least one spark plug, said misfire-detecting system comprising: voltage value-detecting means for detecting a value of said sparking voltage generated by said igniting means after generation of said ignition command signal; and misfire-determining means for comparing the detected value of said sparking voltage with a predetermined voltage value, and determining whether or not a misfire has occurred in said engine, based upon results of said comparison; said misfire-determining means having period-limiting means for setting a limited comparison period; said misfire-determining means effecting said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon results of said comparison between the detected value of said sparking voltage and said predetermined voltage value, obtained within said limited comparison period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A misfire-detecting system for detecting a misfire occurring in an internal combustion engine having an ignition system including at least one spark plug, engine operating condition-detecting means for detecting values of operating parameters of said engine, signal-generating means for determining ignition timing of said engine, based upon the detected values of said operating parameters of said engine and generating an ignition command signal indicative of the determined ignition timing, and igniting means responsive to said ignition command signal for generating sparking voltage for discharging said at least one spark plug, said misfire-detecting system comprising: voltage value-detecting means for detecting a value of said sparking voltage generated by said igniting means after generation of said ignition command signal; and misfire-determining means for comparing the detected value of said sparking voltage with a predetermined voltage value, and determining whether or not a misfire has occurred in said engine, based upon results of said comparison; said misfire-determining means having period-limiting means for setting a limited comparison period; said misfire-determining means effecting said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon results of said comparison between the detected value of said sparking voltage and said predetermined voltage value, obtained within said limited comparison period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said misfire-determining means effects said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon whether or not the detected value of said sparking voltage is higher than said predetermined voltage value, within said limited comparison period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said misfire-determining means effects said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon a time period over which the detected value of said sparking voltage exceeds said predetermined voltage value, within said limited comparison period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said misfire-determining means effects said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon an area of a portion of detected values of said sparking voltage exceeding said predetermined voltage value, within said limited comparison period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A misfire-detecting system as claim in claim 1, wherein said misfire-determining means effects said determination as to occurrence of said misfire, based upon both a time period over which the detected value of said sparking voltage exceeds said predetermined voltage value, within said limited comparison period, and an area of a portion of the detected value of said sparking voltage exceeding said predetermined voltage value within said limited comparison period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said limited comparison period is a time period set at an end portion of a discharge period of said at least one spark plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said limited comparison period is a predetermined time period set at an end portion of a discharge period of said at least one spark plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said limited comparison period is a time period corresponding to a predetermined crank angle of said engine, set at an end portion of a discharge period of said at least one spark plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said limited comparison period starts when a predetermined time period elapses after generation of said ignition command signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said predetermined voltage value is set in dependence on operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said misfire-determining means includes reference level-setting means which sets said predetermined voltage value based upon the detected value of said sparking voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A misfire-detecting system as claim in claim 11, wherein said reference level-setting means sets said predetermined voltage value based upon a value of said sparking voltage detected before the start of said limited comparison period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A misfire-detecting system as claim in claim 11, wherein said reference level-setting means sets said predetermined voltage value based upon a value of said sparking voltage detected within a time period over which capacitive discharge occurs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A misfire-detecting system as claim in claim 11, wherein said reference level-setting means sets said predetermined voltage value based upon a value of said sparking voltage detected at the start of said limited comparison period.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said reference level-setting means comprises smoothing means for smoothing said sparking voltage, and amplifier means for amplifying an output from said smoothing means by a predetermined amplification factor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said igniting means has a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, said misfire-detecting system including current-checking means arranged in said secondary circuit for checking a flow of current in a reverse direction to a direction in which a current flow occurs at discharge of said at least one spark plug.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A misfire-detecting system as claim in any of claims 1-9, wherein said ignition coil comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil, said sparking voltage being primary voltage generated by said primary coil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in any of claims 1-9, wherein said ignition coil comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil, said sparking voltage being secondary voltage generated by said secondary coil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A misfire-detecting system as claimed in any of claims 1-9, wherein said engine has a fuel supply system, said misfire being attributable to said fuel supply system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |