Patent ID: 9745946
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: F02P

Claim:
1. A control unit for regulating a multiple spark operation of a combustion engine, comprising an ignition transformer that is switched on and off for releasing or interrupting an ignition spark current by a regulator electronic circuit for actuating the ignition transformer with the aid of at least one programmed current threshold, wherein the control unit is configured to transmit a first control signal and a second control signal to the regulator electronic circuit, the first and second control signals being separated from each other in time such that a value for a follow-up current threshold is defined by a variable pulse pause between a termination of the first control signal and a beginning of the second control signal when the first control signal and the second control signal are not being transmitted; wherein the control unit is configured to store a plurality of thresholds that correspond to a plurality of operating statuses of the combustion engine, wherein the first and second control signals are supplied to the regulator electronic circuit for defining the follow-up current threshold and for actuating the ignition transformer, wherein the first and second control signals are communicated from the control unit to the regulator electronic circuit over a single-wire interface, wherein the first control signal provides a loading time and an ignition time of a conventional ignition, and wherein the second control signal provides a duration of a multiple spark phase, wherein the variable pulse pause is an encoded interval, and wherein the value for the follow-up current threshold is transmitted over the single-wire interface via the encoded interval between the first control signal and the second control signal.