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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsDean M. Ford, Diane E. Hageman
Estimating the term…
An ignition coil has a high voltage connector for connecting a high voltage output to a spark plug. The connector includes a terminal having a base, an annular sidewall axially extending from the base defining an interior, and a circumferentially-extending groove on an interior surface of the sidewall. A contact assembly of a spring clip sandwiched between a pair of wave washers is disposed in the groove, with a spring contact being disposed between the contact assembly and the base. The spring rates of the wave washers and the contact spring are low relative to the mass of the ignition coil, resulting in a low natural frequency for the overall combination. The connector provides vibration isolation between the coil and the spark plug, to thereby allow omitting the conventional connection of the coil to the engine via a bolt through a bolt hole on the coil case.
An ignition apparatus comprising:
An ignition apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Adaptations of transformers or inductances for specific applications or functions: ignition, e.g. for IC engines
Coils; Windings; Conductive connections: terminals; Tapping arrangements for signal inductances
Details: means providing electrical connection to sparking plugs
Magnets
Term end not estimated
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an ignition apparatus having a high voltage connection that provides isolation between the ignition apparatus and a spark plug.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic and block diagram view of an ignition apparatus having an improved high voltage connection according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view showing, in greater detail, the high voltage connection of FIG. 1.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, FIG. 1 illustrates an ignition apparatus 10 according to the invention. Ignition apparatus 10 may be coupled to, for example, a control unit 12, which may contain primary energization control circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of ignition apparatus 10. The relatively high voltage produced by ignition apparatus 10 is provided to a spark plug 14 for producing a spark across a spark gap thereof, and which may be employed to initiate combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine 16.
Ignition apparatus 10 is adapted for installation to a conventional internal combustion engine through a spark plug well onto a high voltage terminal of the spark plug, which in turn may be retained by a threaded engagement with a spark plug opening in the above-described combustion cylinder. Although not shown, apparatus 10 therefore has a relatively slender profile-configured for this purpose (i.e., it is a “pencil” coil in a preferred embodiment). The engine may provide power for locomotion of a self-propelled vehicle, such as an automotive vehicle.
Control unit 12, as known, is configured to generate an electronic spark timing (EST) signal that determines when charging is to commence (i.e., when the EST signal transitions from a logic low, to a logic high state), the duration of charging (i.e., how long the EST signal is asserted), and when the spark is to occur (i.e., when the EST signal transitions from a logic high to a logic low).