Patent ID: 8847118
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: F02P

Abstract:
1. An energization control apparatus for a glow plug which generates heat upon supply of electric current thereto and having a resistance which changes in accordance with its own temperature, the energization control apparatus controlling a voltage applied to the glow plug in accordance with a resistance control scheme so that the resistance of the glow plug coincides with a predetermined target resistance, the apparatus comprising: temperature maintaining energization means for energizing the glow plug for heat generation during operation of an internal combustion engine to which the glow plug is attached; and intermediate temperature raising means for resuming energization of the glow plug during operation of the internal combustion engine, after energization by the temperature maintaining energization means, wherein the intermediate temperature raising means includes: resistance acquisition means for acquiring the resistance of the glow plug; difference calculation means for calculating a difference between the resistance of the glow plug acquired by the resistance acquisition means and the target resistance; intermediate value setting means for setting an intermediate target resistance by subtracting an offset value corresponding to the difference between the resistance of the glow plug and from the target resistance; and intermediate value update means for increasing the intermediate target resistance with elapse of time for energization of the glow plug such that the intermediate target resistance finally coincides with the target resistance, wherein the voltage applied to the glow plug is controlled such that the resistance of the glow plug coincides with the intermediate target resistance.