Engine Electrical
Engine Electrical
Various pieces of equipment are necessary for
starting the engine and operating it in a stable
manner.
Battery
It serves as a power supply for the electrical parts
of a vehicle.
Starter (starting system)
System to start the engine.
Alternator (charging system)
System to generate electricity used in the vehicle
and charge the battery.
Ignition coil (ignition system)
System to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture.
Ignition switch
Main switch of the vehicle.
Combination meter (Discharge warning light)
Lights if unable to charge.
Sensors
Part to detect the water temperature or engine
speed etc. and transmit to ECU (Electronic Control
Unit.)
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Battery
Battery
The battery is a rechargeable device that serves as
a power supply for the electrical parts when the
engine is stopped. When the engine is running, it
stores the used electricity.
HINT:
A battery inspection consists of checking the level
and the specific density of the electrolyte.
CAUTION:
The following precautions must be taken when
handling a battery:
• Keep it away from fire during charging, because
hydrogen gas is emitted.
• Keep the electrolyte, in which the sulfuric acid is
used, away from your body, clothes or the vehicle
body.
Negative terminal
The portion of the battery to which the negative cable is connected.
Vent plug
Discharges gas vapors during charging.
Plug to supply the electrolyte.
Indicator
Used for checking the state of charge or the electrolyte level.
Positive terminal
The portion of the battery to which the positive cable is connected.
Electrolyte
Chemically reacts with the pole plates to charge and discharge electricity.
Cell
Each cell generates approximately 2.1V of electricity.
Pole plate
Consists of positive and negative plates.
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REFERENCE:
Charging and discharging principle
A battery charges and discharges electrical energy
through the chemical reaction of the electrolyte.
Discharging
Electrical energy is generated when the sulfuric
acid of the electrolyte reacts with lead and turns
into water. At this time, the sulfuric acid combines
with the pole plates, causing the positive and
negative pole plates to turn into lead sulfate.
Charging
Because sulfuric acid is discharged from the pole
plates, the electrolyte turns into sulfuric acid, and
the specific gravity of the electrolyte increases. The
positive pole plates turn into lead dioxide and the
negative pole plates turn into sponge lead.
H2SO4:Sulfuric H2O:Water H2:Hydrogen O2:Oxygen Discharging amperage
Charging amperage
HINT:
When a chemical reaction (electrolysis of water)
occurs in the electrolyte during charging, the
positive pole plates generate oxygen and the
negative pole plates generate hydrogen. Due to the
electrolysis of water, the volume of the electrolyte
decreases, thus requiring replenishment.
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Battery identification codes
Battery identification codes, which are marked on
the battery body, indicate the battery size and
performance, which is the electrical storage
capacity.
Performance
Indicates the amount of electricity that can be
stored in the battery (battery capacity). The greater
the number, the greater is the amount of electrical
energy that the battery can store.
Battery capacity (AH)=
amount of discharging
amperage x length
of discharging time
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Battery width and height
The battery's width and height combination is
indicated by one of eight letters (A through H).
The closer the letter is to H, the greater are the
battery's width and height.
Width
Height
Battery length
Indicates the battery length in centimeters (cm).
Length
For example:
If "19" is indicated, the length is approximately 19
cm.
Position of the negative terminal
Indicates whether the negative terminal of the
battery is located on the right (R) or left (L), of the
battery, when looked at from the front (the direction
in which one can read the ID code correctly).
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REFERENCE:
Terminal diameter
The positive and negative terminals of the battery
have different diameters, to avoid connect
connecting to the wrong terminal.
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Starting System
Starting System
The starting system forces the engine to crank with
an electric motor, and starts the engine.
Battery
Ignition switch
Starter
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REFERENCE:
There are four types of starters, as shown on the
left.
Conventional type
A type of starter in which the armature and pinion
gear rotate in an identical manner.
Reduction type
A type of starter that has an idler gear between the
drive and driven gears in order to reduce the
rotation of the armature and transmit it to the pinion
gear.
Planetary type
A type of starter that has planetary gears to reduce
the rotation of the armature. It is more compact and
lightweight than the reduction type.
Planetary reduction-Segment conductor motor
type
Permanent magnets are used in the field coil. The
armature coil has been made more compact,
resulting in a shorter overall length.
Pinion gear
Armature
Idler gear
Planetary gear
Permanent magnet
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Operation of starter
The starter starts the engine by meshing the pinion
gear into the ring gear.
Ignition switch
Pull-in coil
Hold-in coil
Field coil
Armature
Clutch
Pinion gear
Ring gear
[Link] the engine
When the ignition switch is turned to START, the
current flows to the pull-in coil and hold-in coil.
Then the pinion gear slides and meshes with the
ring gear. At the same time, the current flows to the
field coil, causing the motor to [Link] rotational
movement is transmitted to the pinion gear, ring
gear and crankshaft in order to crank the engine.
HINT:
When the engine starts, a ring gear drives the
armature. To prevent the starter from being spun
by the engine, a clutch function is attached. The
armature prevents damage from high- speed
rotation.
[Link] starting the engine
When the ignition switch is released from the
START position, the direction of the current, which
flows to the pull- in coil, changes and the pinion
gear returns to its original position. When the
current stops flowing to the field coil, the rotation of
the starter stops.
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Charging System
Charging System
The charging system produces electricity to supply
the electrical components with the amount of
electricity required, and to charge the battery while
the vehicle's engine is in operation.
As soon as the engine starts, the drive belt causes
the alternator to operate.
Alternator
Battery
Discharge warning light
Ignition switch
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Alternator
As the engine starts, the drive belt causes the
pulley of the alternator to rotate. As a result, the
rotor rotates, and an electric current emits in the
coil of the stator.
Pulley
Rotor (Coil)
Stator (Coil)
Rectifier (diodes)
IC regulator
Terminal "B"
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REFERENCE:
SC type alternator
A joined segment conductor system (angular
copper wire) is adopted at the stator coil welded in
the SC (Segment Conductor) instead of the usual
winding system.
Compared to the usual alternator, the electrical
resistance is reduced, and the alternator becomes
more compact.
Two sets of three- phase windings are also used.
As they neutralize the magnetic sound of each
other (generated in the stator), noise reduction is
improved.
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Alternator
The alternator has three functions:
Pulley
Rotor
Rotor Coil
Stator Coil
A. Generation
When the engine starts, the drive belt transmits the
rotation of the engine to the alternator pulley, which
causes the rotor to rotate. As a result, the stator
coil generates an alternating current.
Rotor coil
Stator coil
B. Rectification
The electrical system of the automobile uses a
direct current. Therefore, a rectifier changes the
alternating current that is generated by the stator
coil into a direct current.
Rectifier
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C. Voltage regulation
The voltage of the electrical system of an
automobile is set to 12V.
An IC regulator is used to regulate the current to a
constant voltage despite changes in the alternator
speed.
IC regulator
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Discharge Warning Light
The discharge warning light illuminates when the
alternator cannot generate for some reason. For
example, if this light illuminates when the vehicle is
in motion, a torn belt may be the cause.
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Ignition System
Ignition System
The ignition system generates sparks at high-
voltage, and ignites the air-fuel mixture, which is
compressed in the cylinders, at the optimal timing.
Based on the signals received from the sensors,
the engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) effects
control to achieve optimal ignition timing.
Ignition switch
Battery
Ignition coil with igniter
Spark plug
Engine ECU
Camshaft position sensor
Crankshaft position sensor
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Direct Ignition System
The direct ignition system supplies high voltage
directly from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.
Type A
Provides an ignition coil with an igniter for every
cylinder.
Type B
Provides an ignition coil with an igniter for every
two cylinders. It uses high-tension cords to supply
current to the cylinders.
Ignition coil (with igniter)
Spark plug
High-tension cord
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REFERENCE:
Conventional type
Distributes the electricity with an ignition coil and
an igniter, through the high- tension cord from the
distributor.
IIA (Integrated Ignition Assembly) type
Contains the ignition coil and igniter in the
distributor.
Distributor
Distributor cap
Rotor
Ignition coil
Igniter
Engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit)
Signal rotor
Pick-up coil
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Ignition Coil
This component boosts the battery voltage (12V) to
generate a high voltage of over 10kV, which is
necessary for ignition.
The primary and secondary coils are placed close
to each other. When a current is applied
intermittently to the primary coil, a mutual
inductance is created. This mechanism is utilized to
generate high voltage at the secondary coil.
An ignition coil can generate high voltage, which
varies in accordance with the number and the size
of the coil windings.
Conventional type
DIS (Direct Ignition System) type
Primary terminal (+) Primary terminal (-) IIA (Integrated Ignition Assembly) type
Primary coil Iron core
Secondary coil Secondary terminal
Igniter Spark plug
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Spark Plug
This component receives high voltage that is made
in the ignition coil, and generates sparks in order to
ignite the air- fuel mixture in the cylinder. The high
voltage generates an electrical spark in the gap
between the center electrode and the ground
electrode.
Center electrode
Ground electrode
V-groove
U-groove
Difference in the volume of protrusion
Multiple-Electrode Spark Plug
This type of spark plug contains multiple ground electrodes and offers excellent durability.
The following types are available: 2-electrode, 3-electrode, and 4-electrode.
Grooved Spark Plug
This type of spark plug contains a ground electrode or a center electrode with a U-shaped or V-shaped groove.
This groove enables the sparks to be generated outside of the electrode, thus facilitating the expansion of the flame
nucleus. As a result, ignition performance is enhanced at idle, low-speed, and low-load conditions.
Projecting-electrode Spark Plug
This type of spark plug contains electrodes that protrude into the combustion chamber in order to enhance
combustion. It must be used only in an engine for which it was designed.
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REFERENCE:
Spark plug coding system
DENSO
NGK
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Resistor spark plug
Sparks could generate electromagnetic
interference, which can cause electronic equipment
to malfunction. This type of spark plug contains a
ceramic resister that prevents this from occurring.
Platinum-tipped spark plug
This type of spark plug uses platinum for the thin
center electrode and the ground electrode. It excels
in durability and ignitability.
Iridium-tipped spark plug
This type of spark plug uses iridium alloy for the
center electrode and platinum for the ground
electrode. It offers both durability and high
performance.
Resistor
Center electrode platinum tip
Ground electrode platinum tip
Center electrode iridium tip
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Exercise
Question-1
Mark each of the following statements True or False:
Correct
No. Question True or False
Answers
The negative terminal of a battery has the same diameter as the
1 j True n
k
l
m
n j False
k
l
m
positive terminal.
The battery is a rechargeable type that serves as the power source
2 when the engine is stopped. It stores electricity when the engine is k True n
l
m
n jj
k
l
m False
operating normally.
The spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture by converting the high
3 j True n
k
l
m
n j False
k
l
m
voltage generated by the ignition coil into sparks.
4 The direct ignition system does not have an ignition coil. n True m
j
k
l
m n False
j
k
l
5 The alternator has the following three functions: generation,
rectification, and adjustment. j True n
k
l
m
n j False
k
l
m
Question-2
In battery identification code '34B19R', which one of the following descriptions of 'R' is true?
j
k
l
m
n 1. Battery length
j
k
l
m
n 2. Battery width and height
j
k
l
m
n 3. Position of the negative terminal
j
k
l
m
n 4. Performance
Question-3
Among the diagrams shown below, select the planetary gear type starter.
1. 2.
3. 4.
1n
j
k
l
m 2n
j
k
l
m 3n
j
k
l
m 4n
j
k
l
m
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Question-4
From the word group indicated below, select the words that correspond to the following illustrations of the types of
spark plugs:
(1) ( ) plug (2) ( ) plug
(3) ( ) plug (4) ( ) plug
a) Grooved b) Resistor c) Multi-electrode d) Protruded e) Platinum-tipped
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