Ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders

Patent · Tue Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6341926

Kashimura, Y; Sugiura, N; Ishii, K; Shida, M; Teragakiuchi, A; Mouri, Y

This patent describes an ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having cylinders comprising: a knock sensor for detecting a knocking condition and for producing a knock signal in response; sensors for detecting other operating conditions of the engine; and control means including computing, and memory means responsive to signals from sensors for determining an ignition timing and for generating an ignition timing control signal in accordance with an ignition timing control signal from the control means a primary current in an ignition coil is switched on and off to generate a high-voltage ignition signal; the control means being responsive to a first discrimination level and a second discrimination level which is greater than the first discrimination level and comprising means for: (1) determining a basic ignition timing of the engine in response to outputs of sensors other than the knock sensor; (2) retarding the ignition timing of the engine by a predetermined amount from the basic ignition timing when the intensity of the knock signal is greater than the first discrimination level but less than the second discrimination level; (3) restoring a retarded ignition timing gradually up to the basic ignition timing of the engine when the intensity of the knock signal becomes less than the first discrimination level; and (4) retarding a maximum advance angle by a predetermined amount, until the retarded ignition timing is restored, when the intensity of the knock signal is greater than the second discrimination level.

• Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo
• Patent Number(s): US 4676212
• OSTI ID: 6341926
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
CYLINDERS
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
IGNITION SYSTEMS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
KNOCK CONTROL
MEMORY DEVICES
SIGNALS
TIMING CIRCUITS