Abstract:
An electronic ignition module for vintage automobiles that utilizes existing components and wiring to retain the look and operation of the original system but with superior performance. The ignition module replaces the original roller and contacts of a vintage automobile ignition timer with modern control electronics that actuate the original coils and original spark plugs using the original wiring in the original manor. Electronic ignition operation is user programmable to emulate the original roller/timer performance or provide automatic spark advance similar to modern automobile operation for optimum power and efficiency while freeing the operator from manual adjustment of spark timing. Ignition module programming is accomplished without any external switches, buttons, jumpers or modification to the vintage automobile by simply sensing the presence or absence of ignition coils connected to the system when power is applied. The electronic ignition module resides fully contained within the confines of the original timer housing without any modifications what so ever, rendering it completely undetectable by visual inspection.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to automobile ignition systems. More specifically, this invention relates to early automobile electronic ignition systems. 
     2. Prior Art 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example of an early automobile ignition system. An example of an automobile that used such a system was the Ford Model T. For the purposes of discussion that follows, the term early refers to automobiles produced between the years of 1900 and 1930. The main components of the system comprise commutator  5 , coil primary wires  1 , coil box  6  containing ignition coils, spark plug wires  7  used to carry high voltage spark to their corresponding spark plugs  14 . Note that commutator  5  is sometimes referred to as a Timer. 
     The basis of operation of this system is 100 year old technology and is well known to those skilled in the art. A brief summary of the essential elements as they pertain to the subject of the present invention will be covered. A simplified schematic diagram for the early ignition system is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Ignition switch  18  is closed to provide power from battery  11  to each of the coils  13  contained within coil box  6 . Actuation of each coil  13  is controlled by commutator  5  which is physically connected to and operated by the automobile engine CAM shaft that rotates when the engine is cranked. Ignition coils  13  are actuated sequentially by commutator  5  grounding their respective primary windings via wires  1  to engine ground which is typically connected to the negative terminal of battery  11 . Coil actuation results in a self oscillation of primary current resulting in the generation of high voltage pulses on their corresponding secondary winding output. The high voltage pulses from the ignition coil secondary are carried to the respective engine spark plugs  14  via wires  7 . The spark timing must be manually altered by the user as engine speed changes for optimum engine operation. This is accomplished by mechanically rotating commutator  5  with respect to its mounting position on the engine which effectively changes its relationship to the engine CAM shaft position and hence advances or retards the ignition timing. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates details of commutator  5 . The coil primary wires of ignition coils are connected to commutator terminals  2 . Each terminal is connected to a corresponding independent electrical contact  3  within the commutator housing. Roller  4  comprises a metal wheel physically and electrically connected to engine CAM shaft  8  that rotates when the engine CAM shaft rotates. Roller  4  functions to provide electrical connection between terminals  3  and the CAM shaft which is also connected to engine ground, most often the negative terminal of the battery  11  of  FIG. 2 . Ignition coil wires  1  connected to commutator terminals  2  are thus electrically connected to engine ground sequentially as roller  4  rotates, connecting their respective electrical contact  3  to the CAM shaft ground which is also engine ground. Ignition coil actuation occurs when its respective terminal on commutator  5  is grounded by roller  4  as described previously. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of prior art that attempts to improve upon the original ignition system of  FIG. 2  by eliminating reliance on physical mechanical contact between roller  4  and electrical contacts  3  of  FIG. 3  in order to actuate associated ignition coils  13 . This is accomplished by replacing the mechanical electrical contacts  3  of  FIG. 3  with circuit board  21  containing modern electronic sensors  10  and replacing roller  4  of  FIG. 3  with rotor  20  that is still physically attached to engine CAM shaft  8 . Rotor  20  contains one or more sensor actuators  9  employed to actuate sensors  10  as they are rotated by the CAM shaft. CAM shaft position sensing is not new or novel. The sensors and sensor actuators may take the form of optical or magnetic or vein. CAM shaft position sensing and operation are well known to those skilled in the art. Electrical contact terminals  2  are no longer used to actuate ignition coils  13 . Select commutator terminals  2  are now used to signal CAM shaft position when sensors  10  are responsive to CAM shaft sensor activators  9 . Another commutator terminal  2  function is changed to supply an independent source of external DC power to sensors  10  and the remaining commutator terminal  2  is changed to provide connection to engine ground as a DC power return. Hence, the purpose, wiring and operation of commutator  5  is completely different from the original vintage ignition system. A distinct disadvantage of the prior art of  FIG. 4  on a vintage automobile is the need to completely change and re-wire the purpose of each original wire thus destroying the originality of the vintage automobile. Another disadvantage is the use of multiple CAM sensors  10  and multiple CAM sensor activators  9  unless there is a means of compensating differences in sensor to sensor activation times which translates directly to variation in ignition timing which is contrary to the entire purpose of the apparatus. 
     Operation of the prior art electronic ignition system of  FIG. 4  is facilitated with the aid of  FIG. 5 . Commutator  5  no longer actuates ignition coils  13  directly by providing a path to engine ground, rather, it now functions solely to signal the position of the engine CAM shaft via two of the former coil primary wires  1 . The function of another former coil primary wire  1  is changed to supply a source of dedicated external DC power to the CAM shaft sensors resident on circuit board  21  located within commutator  5 . The function of remaining former coil primary wire  1  is changed to provide a connection to engine ground. Referring to  FIG. 5 , operation is as follows: Ignition switch  18  is closed to provide a source of uninterrupted power from battery  11  via battery wire  12  to electronic control module  15  physically located within coil box  6  and to power electronic sensors located on circuit board  21  physically located within commutator  5  that were previously described with the aid of  FIG. 4 . Commutator  5  now solely functions to monitor the position of the engine CAM shaft and sends trigger signals via select commutator wires  1  to electronic control module  15  physically located in coil box  6 . Electronic control module  15  processes the trigger signals from commutator  5  and turns on semiconductor switches  16  which in turn actuate the firing of coils  13  in synchronization with engine operation. One will note another significant difference in the configuration of  FIG. 5  compared to the original prior art of  FIG. 2  in that the prior art of  FIG. 5  only employs two ignition coils  13  rather than the original four. Engine operation is still possible by exploiting the four stroke cycle of the internal combustion engine; intake, compression, power and exhaust of the four cylinder engine and firing two cylinders in tandem rather than one. The power stroke is fired as usual, however, the other cylinder in the pair is at the end of the exhaust stroke at the time the pair fire which simply does not contribute to the production of engine power. For this reason, this method of engine ignition is well known as the “wasted spark” method to those skilled in the art. 
     The prior art of  FIG. 5  has another disadvantage which are avoided by the present invention. A notable disadvantage of the prior art is the need to eliminate two of the ignition coils and use of the “wasted spark” method. The wasted spark method is functional but is not benign to engine operation especially during engine starting. The wasted spark firing in the cylinder on its exhaust stroke may in fact fire when at the beginning of the next intake cycle depending upon engine timing. Air and fuel may have already begun to enter cylinder if engine timing is retarded causing a puff back or back fire into the carburetor making it difficult to start. This is of particular disadvantage on a early automobile which relies upon hand cranking to start which can become exhausting. The starting procedure of early hand cranked automobiles requires retarding ignition timing to avoid personal injury from engine kick back which helps guarantee air/fuel mixture has already begun to enter the non-firing cylinder when the “wasted” spark occurs in that cylinder. Another disadvantage of the prior art of  FIG. 5  is the need to significantly alter the components of the original system. Coil box  6  of  FIG. 5  must be either completely rewired or a pre re-wired module must be installed in place of the original coils  13  to implement the wiring and component swaps. This is undesirable on vintage automobiles which are prized for their original appearance and function. Coil box  6  is often easily accessible and inspected to reveal significant modifications have been made to the automobile and it is non-original. Furthermore, substitution of original coils  13  may be necessary to fit all components into coil box  6  result in coil operation that does not mimic original coil operation in which a characteristic “buzz” of the coil primary associated points is heard further diminishing originality. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Collection and operation of early automobiles is a popular pursuit that depends upon components that ware with use such as the coil points, roller and commutator of the ignition system. Replacement components are becoming increasingly more difficult to find, can be expensive and often are time consuming to replace and align; requiring expensive special tools and the knowledge of how to properly use them. Parts reproductions are often easily identifiable or alter the performance of the original ignition system degrading the antique value or costing points awarded for originality during automobile shows. 
     It is the objective of the present invention to offer a solution to this problem by providing a maintenance free, programmable electronic ignition module for early automobiles that utilizes all the existing components and wiring to retain the appearance and operation of the original system but with superior performance. The invention replaces the original roller/commutator contacts of the original vintage system and actuates the original coils that fire the original spark plugs using the original wiring in a similar manor. Electronic ignition module operation is user programmable to emulate the original roller/commutator performance or provide automatic spark advance similar to modern automobile operation for optimum power and efficiency while freeing the operator of the burden of manual adjustment of spark timing. Ignition module programming is accomplished without any external switches, jumpers or modification to the vintage automobile by simply sensing the presence or absence of ignition coils when power is applied. The electronic ignition module resides fully contained within the confines of the original timer housing without any modifications what so ever, rendering it completely undetectable by visual inspection. 
    
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, where in like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various drawings, and within: 
         FIG. 1 : Illustrates the fundamental components of the early automobile ignition system. 
         FIG. 2 : Illustrates interconnectivity of the prior art and facilitates the description of its operation. 
         FIG. 3 : Illustrates the inner workings of commutator  5  of  FIG. 2  and is used to facilitate the description of its operation. 
         FIG. 4 : Illustrates another example of prior art that provides a means of electronic actuation rather than physical mechanical actuation. 
         FIG. 5 : Illustrates how prior art of  FIG. 4  is integrated within in the original system of prior art of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6 : Illustrates one embodiment of the present invention that utilizes four sensors and one sensor actuator. 
         FIG. 7 : Illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that utilizes two sensors and two sensor actuators 
         FIG. 8 : Illustrates a detailed schematic diagram of the present invention 
         FIG. 9 : is a detailed schematic diagram showing a modified form of the present invention useful in automobiles that operate on a wider battery voltage range. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , which shows one embodiment of the present invention, commutator housing  5  employs electrical terminals  2  that are normally isolated from commutator housing  5 . Ignition module  28  is physically mounted within housing  5 . Electronic sensors  10  located on ignition module  28  are actuated by sensor activator  9  located on rotor  20  that is physically mounted to engine CAM shaft  8 . Operation is as follows: Rotor  20  rotates with engine CAM shaft  8 . Sensor activator  9  functions to activate a particular sensor  10  when it moves within close proximity to it. Microcontroller  19  located on ignition module  28  detects actuation of the particular sensor  10  and functions activate a corresponding electronic switch  16  that electrically connects its corresponding terminal  2  to commutator housing  5  which is also normally electrically connected to engine ground. Microcontroller  19  determines the mapping between sensor  10  activation and which electronic switch  16  is activated. The present invention just described contained within commutator  5  is a drop in replacement for the prior art commutator  5  of  FIG. 2  where coil actuation with respect to CAM shaft position is identical to that described for  FIG. 2  with the exception that electronic switching is used as opposed to mechanical switching to activate the ignition coils connected to terminals  2 . The coil points on coils  13  are typically electrically shorted so as to bypass their ability to independently open and fire spark at the inappropriate time. 
     The burden of actuating the ignition coils to produce a continuous series of high voltage sparks when actuated in response to proper alignment of CAM shaft sensor  10  and sensor activator  9  now falls on the electronic ignition module  28  instead of the ignition coils  13 . This is yet another benefit of the present invention as the ignition coils  13  require careful skilled adjustment and ware out with usage. An internal component of coils  13  commonly fails in a short circuit rendering the ignition coils useless in the original system. An ignition coil with this shorted internal component is still usable in the electronic ignition system described in the present invention since the ignition coil points in which this component is connected are typically shorted (electrically connected) anyway. It should also be noted that the electronic ignition module  28  has the ability to adjust the duration and duty cycle of the pulses generated by the electronic ignition module to optimize the efficiency and performance of respective ignition coil  13  operation by microcontroller  19  measuring the voltage applied to the system and applying the appropriate value for ignition coil on (charge) time and off (discharge) time and firing frequency. 
     It should be understood that the order of activation of electronic switches  16  as rotor  20  turns as well as the mapping of a particular electronic switch  16  to a particular terminal  2  may be changed to any order to facilitate optimal engine operation. It should also be understood that only two CAM sensors  10  may be employed located 90 degrees with respect to one another with the addition of a second sensor actuator  9  on rotor  20  located 180 degrees in opposition in position as illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 7 . 
     In either embodiment of  FIG. 6  or  7 , the locations of the sensors on ignition module  28  and location of sensor actuators on rotor  20  are orientated to CAM shaft  8  to synchronize rotation and operation with the associated engine to which the CAM shaft is attached. 
     Note that both embodiments of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  employ multiple CAM sensors  10  and CAM sensor activators  9  as had some prior art, however, the present invention utilizes microcontroller  19  that is responsive to CAM sensor  10  activation and has the capability of utilizing internally stored sensor calibration information to equalize differences in sensor to sensor activation delay to prevent differences between sensors from translating to variations in ignition timing thereby maintaining precision ignition timing. 
       FIG. 8  shows a detailed schematic diagram for one embodiment of the present invention. Microcontroller  19  monitors inputs connected to sensors  10  responsible for detecting the position of engine CAM shaft  8  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Microcontroller  19  is also responsible for actuating electronic switches  16  in the proper sequence for a particular duration. Electronic switches  16  are electrically connected between their respective commutator terminal  2  and commutator ground  17  which is electrically connected to commutator housing  5  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     A unique and novel aspect of the present invention is the method in which it is powered. Commutator terminals  2  are each connected to the positive terminal of battery  11  via their associated ignition coil  13  primary winding, wire  12  and ignition switch  18 . Although each coil  13  primary winding is periodically switched to commutator ground  17  via corresponding electronic switch  16  to actuate corresponding spark plug  14 , they are never all simultaneously switched to ground at the same instance of time. In this way, power from battery  11  is always available from at least one other of commutator terminals  2 . The circuit is also designed to be immune to the resulting high voltage transients produced by actuating associated ignition coils  13  in the generation of spark and capable of passing the resulting high voltage return spark current safely to engine ground via commutator ground without impact or damage to ignition module  28 . 
     Powering the electronic ignition circuitry in this way preserves the original automobile wiring, interconnectivity and function without modification, by completely eliminating the need for an independent connection to uninterrupted power source as necessary with the prior art. Diodes  22  and resistor  23  prevent loading from commutator terminals  2  when a terminal is switched to ground to fire its corresponding ignition coil  13 . Diodes  22  also provide a source of DC power from commutator terminals  2  when they are not being switched to ground for the purpose of actuating their associated ignition coils  13  to generate spark from their respective spark plug  14 . Together, diodes  22  provide an uninterrupted source of DC power for circuit operation since more than one commutator terminal is never switched to ground simultaneously. Resistor  23  limits the current to Zener diode  24  which provides a source of regulated voltage to operate microcontroller  19  and all other electronic components. Zener diode  24  also protects the power supply from high positive voltage and negative voltage spikes generated by its associated ignition coil  13  activation. Capacitor  25  filters out any voltage variation caused when switching between voltage sources supplied from commutator terminals  2 . 
     Another unique and novel aspect of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  is the way microcontroller  19  can communicate and be programmed by the user using the same commutator terminals  2  used to actuate ignition coils  13 , when commutator terminals  2  are not being used to actuate ignition coils  13 , causing microcontroller  19  to function in different modes without the need for any external switches, buttons, jumpers or modification to the original automobile wiring preserving its originality. Programming is accomplished by sensing the presence or absence of ignition coils during power up, that is: closure of ignition switch  18 . Commutator terminals  2  connected to their respective ignition coil  13  primary provide a source of power via battery wire  12  connected to the positive terminal of battery  11  via ignition switch  18 . Microcontroller  19  can check if a coil is present or absent by checking the voltage level on its respective commutator terminal  2 . In this way, microcontroller  19  can use the presence or absence of ignition coils during power up when terminals  2  are not being used to actuate ignition coils  13  to determine which program options are to be used when the program runs the next time the microcontroller is powered by storing the programming information in non-volatile memory to remember which programming option is to be programmed whenever it is powered again in the future with all ignition coils  13  installed as is normally the case. 
     Using this example involving the presence of absence of two coils, four programming scenarios are distinctly possible. Isolation resistors  38  prevent loading of terminals  2  when terminals  2  are used to actuate ignition coils  13  so as not to affect normal ignition coil actuation. Zener diodes  39  limit the voltages presented to microcontroller  19  to safe levels at all times including during the actuation of ignition coils  13 . 
     Microcontroller  19  can execute a default program upon initial power up that mimics the original ignition system of the early automobile by actuating ignition coils  13  of  FIG. 8  as long as sensor actuator  9  of  FIG. 6  remains in close proximity of its corresponding sensor  10  of  FIG. 6 . Microcontroller  19  can also execute an alternative program that delays actuation of coils  13  when sensor actuator  9  of  FIG. 6  remains in close proximity of its corresponding sensor  10  of  FIG. 6 . The delayed activation can be varied depending upon the CAM shaft rotational velocity to provide less delay as the revolutions per minute (RPM) increase effectively advancing the spark timing with engine speed as is well known and commonly done in modern automobile ignition systems. 
     Microcontroller  19  can also communicate with terminals  2  during engine operation, when terminals  2  are not being used to actuate coils  13  via isolation resistors  38 , to acquire the present operating voltage applied to terminals  2 . Microcontroller  19  can use this information of operating voltage to determine if changes are necessary to the way microcontroller  19  actuates ignition coils  13  to obtain optimal engine performance. 
       FIG. 9  shows a detailed schematic diagram for an alternate embodiment of the present invention useful in operating over a broad operating voltage range. Microcontroller  19  monitors inputs connected to sensors  10  responsible for detecting the position of engine CAM shaft  8  of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . Microcontroller  19  is also responsible for actuating electronic switches  16  in the proper sequence for a particular duration to actuate corresponding ignition coil  13  and corresponding spark plug  14 . Electronic switches  16  connect their respective commutator terminals  2  to commutator ground  17  which is electrically connected to commutator housing  5  of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  as was described previously. 
     The way the circuit of  FIG. 9  is powered is again unique and novel as it receives power exclusively from the same terminals used to actuate the primary windings of ignition coils  13  yet the circuit is designed to be immune to the resulting high voltage transients associated with actuating associated coil  13  in the generation of spark and the ability to safely pass the resulting high voltage spark current to commutator ground  17 . Commutator terminals  2  are connected to the positive terminal of battery  11  via their associated ignition coil  13  primary winding via wire  12  and ignition switch  18 . Although each coil  13  primary winding is periodically switched to commutator ground  17  via corresponding electronic switch  16 , they are never all simultaneously switched to ground at the same instance of time. In this way, power from battery  11  is always available from another commutator terminal  2  and at times may be available from more than one commutator terminal  2 . Microcontroller  19  of this embodiment of the invention controls from which commutator terminal  2  power is to be supplied since microcontroller  19  also controls which commutator terminals  2  are switched to ground via corresponding electronic switch  16  to actuate their associated ignition coil  13  to generate spark from its associated spark plug  14 . Microcontroller  19  selects power from the terminal or terminals not being used to actuate its associated coil  13  by turning on its associated electronic switch  29  which in turn turns on its corresponding electronic switch  30  to provide power to voltage regulator  37  which then provides conditioned power to microcontroller  19  via schottky diode  26 . Capacitor  25  filters out any voltage ripple present and associated resistor  31  limits the current flow through electronic switch  30  to a safe value. Microcontroller  19  functions to turn off the source of power from commutator terminal  2  which is switched to ground via its associated electronic switch  16  by turning off the terminals associated electronic switch  29  and its associated electronic switch  30  cutting off the supply of power from that particular coil terminal effectively isolating it from the input of voltage regulator  37  when it is activating its associated ignition coil  13 . This operation functions to protect voltage regulator  37  from the high voltage transients resulting from the actuation of the terminal&#39;s associated coil  13  and prevents voltage regulator  37  from loading down the associated terminal being used to actuate its associated ignition coil  13  which would otherwise compromise the generation of sufficiently high voltage necessary to operate its associated spark plug  14 . 
     An initial source of power must be provided to microcontroller  19  before it can take over managing control of its power source as just described. This is accomplished from a select commutator terminal  2  by resistor  35  and Zener diode  34  as was similarly done in the embodiment of  FIG. 8  to provide a regulated source of power while the current draw requirement is low. Electronic switch  33  is added to automatically disconnect this temporary source of power once microcontroller takes over managing control of its power source when power becomes available at the output of voltage regulator  37  as was described previously. Schottky diode  26  isolates temporary power source provided by resistor  35 , Zener diode  34  and electronic switch  33  from being loaded down from microcontroller operated voltage regulator  37  before it becomes operational. Electronic switches  30  are capable of withstanding high voltages that effectively isolate their associated commutator terminals  2  that are subjected to high voltage and negative spikes when they are used to actuate their respective ignition coil  13 . Powering the electronic ignition circuitry in this way also preserves the original automobile wiring, interconnectivity and function without modification. The embodiment of  FIG. 9  can also be programmed by the presence or absence of ignition coils  13  during power up; closure of ignition switch  18  as was described in detail for the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
     Another unique feature of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  is the ability of microcontroller  19  to sense the value of battery voltage applied to the system via select commutator terminals  2  by the voltage divider formed by series resistor  27  and shunt resistor  36  utilizing the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) input feature of microcontroller  19 . This is a critical need if the battery voltage deviates from the nominal value, typically 12V. This is because the time needed to charge the associated ignition coils  13  changes as the battery voltage is varies. Early automobiles operated from battery voltages from 6 volts to 12 volts typically in 2 volt increments (6, 8, 10 or 12V). The software program operating microcontroller  19  utilizes knowledge of the supply voltage to select the proper coil charge time and discharge time for optimal ignition system performance without any input from the operator. 
     It should be understood that in either embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9 , microcontroller  19  can be programmed to map actuation from camshaft sensors  10  to actuation of associated ignition coil  13  in different ways. One desirable way to map actuation is to commence of ignition coil  13  actuation as soon as the associated camshaft sensor  10  is activated and continue ignition coil  13  actuation until the associated camshaft sensor  10  ceases activation. This method of activation mimics the original operation of ignition system employed by early automobiles by the roller/contact. This example of mapping camshaft sensor activation to associated ignition coil actuation may be the default program executed by microcontroller  19  when power is applied and is not changed by the absence of any ignition coils  13  upon initial power up. Another desirable method to map actuation of camshaft sensors  10  to associated ignition coils  13  is to acknowledge activation of camshaft sensor  10  and delay actuation of its associated ignition coil  13  for a predefined interval that is dependant upon the frequency of activation of camshaft sensors  10  which is indicative of engine speed measured in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). This method of mapping camshaft sensor  10  to associated ignition coil  13  can be used to advance ignition timing as engine RPM increases to obtain optimum engine power and efficiency. This automatic timing advancement method of mapping camshaft sensor  10  to associated ignition coil  13  may be the non-default, alternate, program executed by microprocessor  19  when one ignition coil  13  is removed from the circuit when power is first applied to signal a change in the default method of timing advancement.