Vehicle ignition system using ignition module with reduced heat generation
First Claim
1. A method of operating an ignition system of a vehicle having an electronic engine control (EEC) comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the temperature of an ignition module that receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) and generates a control signal to an ignition coil for switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the ignition module when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ignition system for a vehicle includes a distributor having with a Hall Effect stator assembly and ignition module formed preferably as a thick film integrated (TFI) module, which receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA). The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein. A temperature sensing circuit is operative with the microprocessor for reducing the duty cycle or overall current or power as applied to the control signal from the TFI ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the TFI ignition module when a temperature threshold for the TFI ignition module has been exceeded.
7 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of operating an ignition system of a vehicle having an electronic engine control (EEC) comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the temperature of an ignition module that receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) and generates a control signal to an ignition coil for switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the ignition module when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an ignition system of a vehicle having an electronic engine control (EEC) comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the temperature of an ignition module that receives a signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) and generating a control signal to an ignition coil for switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the ignition module when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating an ignition system of a vehicle having an electronic engine control (EEC) comprising the steps of:
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generating a control signal from a microprocessor positioned within an ignition module to an ignition coil for switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the microprocessor to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the ignition module when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification