Electronic Ignition System in Automobiles: Design, Working, Types, Components & Applications

The electronic ignition system in automobile history began with Delco-Remy in 1948, by testing a cold cathode type. The first commercial solid-state capacitive discharge ignition was developed in 1963 by Hyland Electronics. After that, Ford started offering electronic ignition in 1965 on some models. This system was invented to create performance, fuel efficiency, and engine reliability by decreasing emissions and maintenance as compared to older mechanical systems. This can be accomplished by replacing mechanical components with electronic controls by enabling more accurate ignition timing & spark delivery. This article elaborates on the electronic ignition system, its working, and its applications.

What is an Electronic Ignition System?

An electronic ignition system is a type of ignition system in an internal combustion engine that uses an electronic component to produce the required high-voltage spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture. This system in the engine works to create a spark within the spark plug. So it replaces mechanical parts with electronic switches and sensors to improve mileage, reliability, and decrease emissions.

How Electronic Ignition System Work?

An electronic ignition system works by precisely controlling the timing and spark generation in the cylinders of an engine using sensors and electronic components. This system uses an engine control unit, an electronic ignition module & an ignition coil. So the ECU receives data from different types of sensors about engine conditions, and then signals the electronic module to turn on and off the primary coil current at the best time to create a high-voltage spark above the secondary coil.

Electronic Ignition System Design

The electronic ignition system is designed with different components like the battery, electronic ignition module, ignition switch, ignition coil, distributor, armature, and spark plug, which are explained below.

Battery

The battery is a significant component in a system that provides the required power to start a vehicle. So it supplies the power to turn the internal combustion process of the engine to run your vehicle. If your battery doesn’t work properly, then some difficulties may occur. So maintaining a battery in good condition is very significant,

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch connects the battery & the starter motor by allowing power to them once the key is turned on, thus it starts a car. Whenever the key is turned ON then it sends a signal to the starter relay by informing the starter motor to connect and turn the engine on to turn on the internal combustion process of a car. There is no method to connect or disconnect the power supply from the battery without an ignition switch.

Electronic Control Module

An electronic control module is a significant component in a system. This module has already preprogrammed instructions that monitor or control the intensity and timing of the spark. So this is one of the significant parts of the entire system.

Armature

An armature is a rotating part in an electronic ignition system that has a reluctor, including a tooth, which generates a voltage signal to break or make the circuit. Whenever the armature turns, its teeth pass close to a pickup coil to induce a voltage signal used by the electronic module, thus it decides when to ignite the ignition coil. After that, this signal efficiently changes the contact breaker points of older mechanical systems.

Ignition Coil

The ignition coil is the main energy source that enhances the voltage from low to high to induce an electric spark within the spark plug. Generally, this coil includes a magnetic soft iron core & two insulated conductive coils, like primary winding and secondary winding.

The primary winding has 200 to 300 turns, where the two ends are connected to the outside terminals. So the secondary winding consists of 21,000 turns. One end is connected to the higher voltage wire to the primary distributor, whereas the other end is connected to the main coil.

Distributor

A distributor in an electronic ignition system distributes the ignition pulses to separate spark plugs in the right order. It includes the rotor in the center & the metal electrode above the circumference. These metal electrodes are connected directly to the spark plugs, known as the ignition harness. So the rotor of this distributor is connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil and is driven through the camshaft. Whenever the rotor turns then it passes the higher voltage current to the ignition harness, which is accepted by higher tension currents through spark plugs.

Spark Plugs

A spark plug is used to ignite combustible fuel & air within the engine cylinders. It has a metal tip that is connected to an electrode. Once electricity reaches it, then a spark can be created and ignites the fuel and & air mixture, which allows combustion to happen. So, spark plugs are very significant to any car to maintain clean spark plugs, because they can become clogged with oil and dirt. A worn-out or dirty spark plug will not generate sufficient sparks or heat required to ignite the fuel in your engine.

Types of Electronic Ignition Systems

Electronic ignition systems are categorized into three types: distributor-based, next distributor-less & COP (coil-on-plug) systems.

Distributor-based Systems

Distributor-based systems use a mechanical distributor at the right time to deliver spark. So these systems were the earliest systems, which used a rotary distributor to allocate the high voltage spark to the proper spark plug at the correct time. These depend on breaker points and a mechanical distributor, which could malfunction and wear out.

Distributor-less Systems

Distributor-less systems are known as direct ignition systems and high-energy ignition, which use an ignition module & a coil pack to produce & control the spark to deliver directly to each spark plug. These systems eliminate the need for a mechanical distributor.

Coil-on-Plug Systems

The coil-on-plug system positions a separate ignition coil on top of every spark plug. So it eliminates the need for high-voltage cables to improve spark delivery precision. These systems are well known for their performance and reliability.

Maintenance

The steps involved in electronic ignition system maintenance are discussed below.

• Spark plugs must be replaced regularly.
• Check ignition coils.
• Need to check wiring & connections frequently.
• Maintain the battery in excellent condition.
• Utilize quality fuel & additives.
• Warning signs must be addressed promptly.

FAQs

What are the advantages of an Electronic Ignition System in cars?

The advantages of the electronic ignition system in cars are: better fuel economy, increased reliability, better performance, and less maintenance. In addition, they remove the need for mechanical contact points, which provides a more consistent and durable spark, and frequently improve fuel efficiency and decrease emissions.

Is electronic ignition more fuel-efficient than traditional ignition?

This system is generally more fuel-efficient than a traditional ignition system. They provide more accurate spark timing & a stronger spark, which leads to superior combustion & fuel economy.

Can I install the Electronic Ignition System myself?

It is feasible to install an electronic ignition system physically; however, it needs careful concentration for a good understanding of the system and its specific components.

What is the role of the ECU in an electronic ignition system?

The ECU in an electronic ignition system controls different engine operations like fuel injection, air-fuel mixture, and ignition timing to optimize fuel efficiency, emissions and engine performance. In addition, it uses data from a variety of sensors to make real-time adjustments by ensuring efficient and smooth engine operation.

Advantages & Disadvantages

The advantages of an electronic ignition system include the following.

• This system needs less maintenance, which leads to cost savings & decreased downtime.
• The electronic control unit controls the electronic ignition system to remove the requirement of moving parts to improve its durability and reliability.
• This is environmentally friendly, which results in lower emissions, which contribute to cleaner air & decreased environmental impact.
• This electronic ignition system improves the engine efficiency, which leads to superior fuel efficiency and overall performance, to reduces the cost of the vehicle.
• An electronic ignition system provides accuracy to control the ignition procedure by optimizing engine combustion and performance.

The disadvantages of the electronic ignition system include the following.

• It is more complex.
• Its installation and repair are more expensive.
• These are vulnerable to electrical problems.
• The whole ignition system may become non-functional in the vehicle when failures or malfunctions occur.
• DIY repairs can be challenging for owners because of the intricate electronic system nature so professional assistance is required for complex issues.
• Some classic or older vehicles may not be well-matched with electronic ignition systems, which need replacements or modifications that could change the original vehicle design.
• Its replacement cost is higher.
• These are sensitive fluctuations in voltage.

Electronic Ignition System Applications

The applications of the electronic ignition system include the following.

• The electronic ignition system is used widely in engine-powered equipment and vehicles to constantly generate the required spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
• They are beneficial in high-performance vehicles, modern vehicles, and aircraft engines.
• These are common in motorcycles, trucks, and cars.
• It is used in aircraft engines for their improved performance and reliability.
• These are used in different machines like lawnmowers, agricultural machinery, generators, chainsaws, etc.
• These are used in some industrial applications, like gas burners, to provide precise and reliable ignition control.
• This is beneficial in modern cars and high-performance vehicles, so they offer better control over energy output and spark timing.

Thus, electronic ignition systems represent a major progress over usual mechanical systems by providing improved engine performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency. So they reduce the requirement of maintenance and improve lifespan. In addition, these systems allow more flexible and accurate spark timing by optimizing combustion & enhancing overall engine efficiency. With the rise in automotive technology, these systems have become a cornerstone for improving vehicle efficiency and reducing emissions. Want to know how it compares to a hydraulic clutch