Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
DIAGNOSTICS OF IGNITION SYSTEMS
M. SEBOK L. OSTRICA M. GUTTEN D. KORENCIAK M. MAKYDA
Department of Measurement and Application of Electrical Engineering,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Zilina, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina
mail: [Link]@[Link], [Link]@[Link], gutten@[Link], [Link]@[Link]
Abstract: Ignition systems even in its simplest form,
represent electrical system which produce voltage +
waveforms in a form of pulses in complex shape. For the 2 4
diagnosis of these systems is necessary to use such speed
diagnostic systems, which allow to record these waveforms engine 5
for next analysis. In the presented contribution we deal with signal
possibilities of analysis and investigation of waveforms, engine
primary and secondary circuit fully electronic ignition 1 6
temperature
systems. other 7
signals
Key words: diagnostics, EFS ignition systems, DFS ignition 3
systems, LabVIEW, high-voltage waveforms 1 control unit
2 output stage
3 - block of two spark coils
1. Introduction 4 plug 1. cylinder, 5 plug 4. cylinder,
Distributorless ignition system (DIS) is ignition 6 plug 2. cylinder 7 plug 3. cylinder
system witch distribute high voltage to each spark
plugs without using mechanic distributor. High voltage Fig.1. Simplified scheme of the ignition DFS
shall be achieved to create a spark at the spark plug
igniting the mixture through a high-voltage coil
(transformer). High-voltage outlets in distributorless
Induction of high voltage
ignition system are directly applied to plugs, thus primary winding
increasing the number of ignition coils. An immediate Switch on Charging approximately 400V
flash-over in the cylinders is necessary to determine by coil coil
a separate switch controlling of transformer primary 14V
circuits. In practice are used two solutions which differ 0V Ending
in the number of ignition coils. oscillation
waves
2. The DFS ignition system 0 kV
Ignition system with coils with dual secondary Switch off
windings DFS (Doppelfulen Spule) is ignition system 1-2kV coil
where high voltage is transported directly on spark Induction of high
plugs and flash-over occurs at a certain moment on the voltage secondary
winding 5 15 kV
two plugs at the same time. Fig.1 shows simplified
scheme of the DFS system.
At some point of flash-over on two spark plugs at Fig.2. The voltage waveforms of the primary and
the same time a pulse of high-voltage appears on the secondary winding of the transformer
secondary winding of the transformer, space between
electrodes of the spark plug ionizes the electrical The spark has to flash over in cylinder near the top
strength of the space exceeded by high voltage and dead center in compression stroke for right engine
current discharge flows through a spark. The engine running.
operating parameter signals enter into the control unit
by which the control unit is creating control pulses for 3. The EFS ignition system
the final stages of ignition coils (Fig.1). In this type of ignition system are used coils which
The operating signals are needed to calculate the are creating only one spark for one spark plug at any
specific moment in which the high-voltage pulse given moment, thus that the number of ignition coils is
should occur. On the Fig.2 is an example of voltage corresponding with the number of engine cylinders
waveforms (pulses) of the primary and secondary Fig.3.
winding of the transformer. The engine operating parameter signals input into
the control unit. EFS is not sufficient just with crank
1
Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
speed signals because each ignition coil receives one
control pulse for two turns of crank but from the signal
reference mark the control unit dont know whether the
piston of cylinder is at top dead center compression
stroke or at exhaust stroke. It is not possible to decide
whether the spark-over is conducted in the 1st or 4th
cylinder and therefore another synchronization pulse is
needed, which is a control pulse cam Fig.7.
Fig.4. Equivalent circuit of the ignition
If we analyze the ignition circuit of fully electronic
ignition we can replace switching of direct current by
switch and ignition coil by capacitor.
From equivalent scheme of particular circuit model
is evident that after switching the power on the
secondary side of the transformer (high voltage coil)
generates voltage
di 1
U L Ri uc (0) (2)
dt C
Derived equation gives an equation of the second
order with constant coefficients
d 2i di 1
LR i0 (3)
dt dt C
The roots of the characteristic equation is
1
L2 R 0 (4)
C
R R2 1
where 12 (5)
2L 4 L2 LC
Fig.3. Simplified scheme of the ignition EFS
From the equation for calculation of roots of the
4. Analysis of equivalent circuit of the ignition characteristic equation shows that there may be three
In the analysis of ignition circuit, based on analysis cases: roots 1 and 2 are real and various, roots are
of behavior linear circuits in time between two steady- identical and roots are comprehensive. Each of these
states. Circuit is getting from the steady state into a cases corresponds with the different character of
new due to active element parameter changes i.e. current and voltage. If the roots are real thus the
connecting or disconnecting the voltage source or discriminant is positive, then
current.
L
From the equivalent circuit of the ignition on Fig.4 R2 Rkrit (6)
is obvious, that change in steady-state to another is C
associated with a change of electromagnetic energy
W(t) of circuit. Therefore the circuit resistance is greater than Rkrit
This can be distributed into electric field energy and for the current in the circuit is valid
accumulated in the capacitor circuit and magnetic field t t
energy accumulated in inducers. U
i(t ) (e 1t e 2t ) I 0 (e 1 e 2 ) (7)
n1 n2 R 1
W (t ) Wek (t ) Wmk (1) 2
4 L2 LC
k 1 k 1
where: 1 1
where n1 is the number of capacitors and n2 is the 1
1 R R2 1
number of inductors. 2
2L 4 L LC
2
Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
t t
2
1
1 U 1 1
2
(8) uC (t ) 0 ( e 1 e 2 ) (14)
R
R2
1 2 1 2
2
2L 4 L LC and for the quasi periodic case
r t
From the above equations, is clear that the current uc (t ) Ue sin(0 ) (15)
i(t) increases to its maximum value as first, and then 0 2
decreases monotonously. Voltage is approaching to
their settled value and takes the value In the case where the circuit resistance R = 0 and
t t
di U 1
2 1
1
also the damping factor is zero (=0) all responses as
u L (t ) L ( e e ) (9) current and voltage have harmonic waveform.
dt R 1 2 1
2
4 L LC 5. Analysis and measurement of high-voltage
waveforms of ignition
If the roots are 1 a 2 complex conjugate so for the Taking into consideration four-cylinder engine and
discriminant is valid if the piston of 1st cylinder is at top dead center of
compression stroke and in the same time is the piston
R2 1 L of 4th cylinder at top dead center but of exhaust stroke
R2 Rkrit (10)
2
4 L LC C and in the same time is the piston of 2nd cylinder in the
bottom dead center and piston of 3rd cylinder in the
Then the roots of the characteristic equation can be bottom dead center entering into compression stroke. In
written in the form figure.5th we can see that the waveforms of high-
1 j0 , 2 j0 voltage pulses on pistons of 1st and 4th cylinder are
together in one position and with every turn are
where 0 r 2 (11) working with each rotation and they are alternating
compression and exhaust stroke. In 2nd and 3rd cylinder
If we substitute the roots into the general solution of is happening the same action but they are just time-
the mathematical model to obtain a current response shifted by 180 degrees of crank rotation.
i(t ) e t ( B1e j0t B2 e j0t ) I 0 (e t sin 0t )
U
U [ kV ]
where I0 (12) [Link]
0 L
working
exhaust spark
spark of
of 2. cylinder
Current responses corresponds with the smooth 1. cylinder
2.
development (quasi periodic course), but the amplitude cylinder
is not constant but decreases exponentially i.e. is
damped by factor = R/2L. [Link]
As in the case of aperiodic character responses can
also be derived from current response to the voltage
response the circuit elements. 4.
cylinder
di r
u L (t ) L U sin(0 t )
dt 0 2 (13)
0 180 360 540 720
- angle of rotation of the crankshaft [ ]
r t
uc (t ) U Ue sin(0 )
0 2 Fig.5. Waveforms of voltage pulses on spark plugs for
each cylinder.
On theoretical waveform of voltage Fig.12
switching on at the primary side of the transformer and The high-voltage discharge (spark) Fig.6 occurs in
also for discharging the secondary coil at discharge. different atmospheres on different cylinders. If is in the
Discharging the secondary coil side can be observed 1st cylinder of compression stroke between the
as discharge the capacitor through the resistor and electrodes of 1st plug high pressure and the
inductor in time t2 this unstable situation can be corresponding with high flashover voltage. On the 4th
cylinder at the same time the exhaust stroke and the
analyzed similarly as at the previous state. Response of
spark flashover to a relatively low fuel pressure.
i(t), uR(t) a uL(t) are similar for aperiodic and quasi Spark flashover voltage is low and has the opposite
periodic action except the capacitor voltage response to polarity than working spark.
aperiodic state takes its values
3
Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
Fig.8. On the basis of cam and crank signals the control
unit is creating control pulses for final stages of each
ignition coil Fig.7.
1 turn of the crankshaft 2
180 [ ]
Fig.6. Ignition pulses of cylinders in the DFS system Fig.8. Speed engine signal / reference mark of crank (1)
and cam position signal (2).
The sides of primary coils are powered by the pulse
voltage and switching by output stages to frame, or the In the secondary circuit coils is high-voltage diode
ending degrees are integrated into module of coils. The connected. For each of the cylinders in the moment of
control unit controls the switching and injection, and switching the primary winding on the secondary side
each coil is switched once per one cycle of the motor there is a high voltage pulse (1-2kV). In ignition
by control pulses (Fig.7.). systems with distributor and the cylinder located
outside circuit is disconnected. This voltage do not
shift air gap between the plug electrodes and thus
undesirable spark on the spark plug does not skip. [4]
In DFS system high voltage pulse of secondary
circuit breaks dielectric area on the distance given by
the sum of the distances of the electrodes connected
distance given by the sum of the distances of the
electrodes connected in series spark plugs in series and
therefore there is no discharge. If the primary circuit
switch off it incurred substantially higher voltage
which breaks through the area between two electrodes
of spark plug and that results in a spark.
EFS systems have diode in secondary circuit of
ignition coil that prevents creation of unwanted sparks
when switching the primary winding and conversely
transmits high voltage for the creation of sparks in its
disconnection Fig.9.
termination of burning spark
Fig.7. Synchronization of switching and the emergence of without damped oscillations
high-voltage pulses
Synchronization of switching is taken away from
the crank speed. Obviously for the synchronization are
needed another signals for adaptation of the ignition
immediate operating conditions (engine load signal,
temperature and the intake air quantity, throttle position
etc.). [4]
To the control unit are entering signals of engine
operating variables. Ignition with EFS is not sufficient
just with crank speed signals because each ignition coil Fig.9. Ignition impulses in EFS
receives one control pulse for two turns of crank but
from the signal reference mark the control unit do not Diagnostic of high-voltage (secondary) circuit of
know whether the piston of cylinder is at the top dead ignition is affected by the presence of high-voltage
center compression stroke or at exhaust stroke. It is not diode.
possible to decide whether the spark-over is conducted In practice are individual ignitions coils recessed
in the 1st or 4th cylinder and therefore is needed into the cavity in the cylinder head and there are
synchronization pulse which is a control pulse cam mounted directly on the spark plug with short cables.
4
Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
By implementing capacitive sensors on these wires it voltage waveform ignition model EFS with a faulty
can be obtained waveforms of high-voltage discharges. diode and simulation graph on Fig.12 which shows the
We scan voltage on these coils just behind the high comparison of malfunctioning ignition coil sinusoidal
voltage diode which ultimately distorts the image course with decreasing amplitude at switching on
resulting voltage. primary side of transformer and switching off
secondary side of transformer the shut down
6. Simulation waveforms in LabVIEW transformer (faulty diode) and graph with the end of
For a deeper analysis can be used simulation by burning sparkle without damped oscillations (correct
programming environment Labview, where you can set operation of the ignition coil).
up through the mathematical model of such operations
during the subsequent simulation of error conditions
spark pulses Fig.10.
t1 t2 t3 t4 t5
Fig.11. The sequence of program in Labview
Fig.10. Model of ignition voltage waveform
According to Fig.10 we can be divided into waveform
for five periods, which we then mathematically spread
(interval t1 until t5):
Interval t1: u(t ) 0
Interval t2: u(t ) l cos(n t )e d t
l the voltage in the steady state is voltage constant,
n - determines the number of amplitudes,
k - amplitude, d - specifies the attenuation
Interval t3: u(t ) a t c1
a - is constant of inclination of the line, c1 - deter-
mines the initial state (final state in the interval t2).
Fig.12. Simulating spark waveforms during correct and
1 t 2 / b 2 incorrect operation
Interval t4: u(t ) e c2
b
7. Conclusion
b - amplitude constant, c2 - determines the initial Diagnostics of ignition systems by diagnostic
state (final state in the interval t3). systems allows measurement of primary and secondary
high-voltage waveforms. Programming environment of
Interval t5-1: u(t ) m t c3 LabVIEW allows adequately evaluate the waveforms to
m - is constant of inclination of the line, c3 - deter- obtain a comprehensive overview of the examined
mines the initial state (final state in the interval t4) system based on the simulation analysis.
Ignition system with dual spark coils represent
simple variant without mechanical distribution of
Interval t5-2: u(t ) k cos(n t h)e d t c4 ignition. The negative aspect is the limitation of time
adjustment because of exhaust sparks.
n - determines the number of amplitude, d - specifies High-voltage parts of ignition of two cylinders
the attenuation, h shift of course, c4 - determines the create serial circuit where in damaged conditions of
initial state (final state in the interval t5). circuit (high voltage lines), or the 1st plug of cylinder
will also affect 4th cylinder. Interruption of high voltage
Fig.11 is presented by sequence program of high circuit of one coil means failure of two cylinders. Fault
5
Journal of Electrical Engineering
[Link]
in the primary circuit of one coil results in failure of
two cylinders. This method is only available for cars Simulation of ignition coil waveforms allows us to
with an even number of cylinders. implement the various states of high voltage ignition
EFS systems are demanding that every coil is coil waveforms based on mathematical analysis and
excited by control pulse thus that works only once per solve problems in the ignition system.
two turns, or arise only work sparks and there are no
exhaust sparks. In determining the choice we can Diode in this manner distorts the course of the
choose large for inflammation - spark of the expansion measured high voltage. The voltage level can vary
time. Operational reliability of EFS ignition systems is above or below the zero level, what can be affected by
greater than in two coil systems because a fail in the accuracy of the analysis and the burning time of
circuits whether in primary or secondary circuit omits flashover voltage sparks. [3]
only one cylinder. These systems can be applied even Pulse section length, burning time of spark,
in engines with an odd number of cylinders in the amplitude size of flashover voltage and amplitude of
engine. burning are important parameters in the analysis of
In the abovementioned analysis voltage waveform high-voltage waveforms.
when burns out spark are evident that finishing phase
of burning sparks is missing and instead of damped Acknowledgments
oscillations course gradually declined. This effect is This work was supported by the Grant Agency
caused by high-voltage diode. If a spark goes off the KEGA from the Ministry of Education of Slovak
current stops flowing in secondary circuit and diode Republic under contract 026U-4/2013.
closes than electrically disconnects section of
secondary circuit. References
In Fig.13 is recorded real and simulated process 1. Bosh, van den J., Duijm, N.: Outflow and Spray Release,
EFS ignition system with faulty diode. In: VROM, Hague, 2005
2. Li, B., Zhao, Y., Sun, P.: The Study of Ambient Condition
on the Performance of Marine Diesel Engine, In: Journal
of Harbin Engineering University, Vol. 27/2006
3. ebk, M.: Investigation of electrical properties of
sensors and non-electrical quantities, In: PhD thesis,
University of Zilina, 2007
4. Pulkrabek, W.: Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal
Combustion Engine, In: Pearson Prentice Hall,
Plateville, 2003
5. Traistaru, A., Sora, I.: Real time estimation of Li-ion
battery resistance used in the automotive industry, In:
JEE - Journal of Electrical Engineering, Vol.10, No.4,
2010, ISSN 1582-4594
6. Delli Colli, V., Marignetti, F.: Traction Control for a PM
Axial-Flux In-Wheel Motor, In: JEE - Journal of
Electrical Engineering, Vol.7, No.4, 2007, ISSN 1582-
4594
7. imko, M., Chup, M.: The theoretical synthesis and
design of symmetrical delay line with surface acoustic
wave for oscillators with single-mode regime of
oscillation, In: Przeglad elektrotechniczny= Electrical
Review, Vol. 88, 2012, No. 12A, pp. 347-350
Fig.13. Real and simulated waveform with faulty diode in
the EFS ignition