Vehicle ignition system using ignition module with reduced heat generation
First Claim
1. An ignition module used for a vehicle ignition system comprising:
- a housing adapted for mounting on a distributor;
a thick film substrate contained within the housing;
a microprocessor mounted on the thick film substrate and operative for receiving at least a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) used on the vehicle and generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
a temperature sensing circuit operative with the microprocessor such that the microprocessor reduces the duty cycle as applied to the control signal generated to the ignition coil and reduces the generated heat 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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An ignition module used for a vehicle ignition system comprising:
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a housing adapted for mounting on a distributor;
a thick film substrate contained within the housing;
a microprocessor mounted on the thick film substrate and operative for receiving at least a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) used on the vehicle and generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein; and
a temperature sensing circuit operative with the microprocessor such that the microprocessor reduces the duty cycle as applied to the control signal generated to the ignition coil and reduces the generated heat when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An ignition module used for a vehicle ignition system comprising:
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a thick film substrate;
a microprocessor mounted on the thick film substrate and operative for receiving a signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) used on the vehicle and generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An ignition module used for a vehicle ignition system comprising:
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a thick film substrate contained within the housing;
a microprocessor mounted on the thick film substrate and operative for receiving at least a signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA) used on the vehicle and generating a control signal to an ignition coil and reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal generated to the ignition coil and reducing the generated heat when a temperature threshold for the ignition module has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification