The evolution of engine and ignition technology

EVOLUTION

As standard, a car battery delivers 12 Volts. To produce an ignition spark on the spark plug, however, up to 40,000 Volts are required.

Therefore, ignition coils are needed: they transform the small voltage from the car battery into a voltage pulse in the double-digit Kilovolt range. Over the years, ignition coils have had to adapt to rising technical demands through new engine concepts. Today’s designs combine maximum reliability with top performance – even under the extreme operating conditions of a downsizing engine.

Downsizing demands high-performance from every individual component:

• There is less space available in the engine bay – smaller spark plugs and ignition coils are required
• Weight reduction demands lighter construction design while maintaining the same quality
• High temperatures in a tight space increase wear and tear
• Higher cylinder pressures and twin charging lead to extreme ignition voltages

Delphi is a leading development partner for vehicle manufacturers, and one of the few players on the market with the technical expertise to meet all of these requirements today and in the future.

RELIABILITY

1967
Classic can-type coil

The can-type ignition coil is one of the oldest types of ignition coil and belongs to the category of distributor ignition coils. It can generate 25 – 30 kV and will supply several spark plugs via a mechanical distributor. Vintage and older cars often have classic can-type coils filled with oil or asphalt, which tend to run out. 

1991
Distributor block ignition coil

This ignition coil is also in the distributor ignition coil class. It was developed to guarantee increased reliability and output compared with the can-type ignition coil.

1998
Complete ignition coil systems

This design is used by some vehicle manufacturers. It combines several single-spark and dual-spark ignition coils into one unit, also known as a ≫rail≪. It is mounted on several spark plugs simultaneously. One benefit: such systems can be equipped with an ion flow gauge, which can be used to monitor the combustion quality in the engine control unit.

DOWNSIZING

1999
Block ignition coils

With the increase in engine performance, ignition coils have had to produce higher ignition voltages, while simultaneously withstanding higher temperatures. Block ignition coils were developed to meet these demands. This type of coil can generate up to 36 kV and is available with single-spark and dual-spark technology. In the single-spark design, each ignition cable provides one cylinder with high voltage. In the dual-spark variation, the high-voltage pulse is delivered to two spark plugs simultaneously. One of these spark plugs produces a spark that sets combustion in motion. The second only produces a support spark. The exception: engines with two spark plugs per cylinder.

2013
Pencil coils

Modern downsizing engines are more compact, but boast turbochargers, and sometimes even compressors. Due to the higher pressures and fast mixture movements in the combustion zone, high ignition voltages of up to 40 kV are needed, and the risk of disruptive discharge or interference increases. Therefore, this type of ignition coil is installed directly onto the spark plug, where it also generates the high-voltage pulse, decreasing the risk of power loss or voltage flashover. In addition, this construction type takes up very little space in the engine bay.