Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil disposed as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuatable switching element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the primary winding and to the control input of the switching element. After charging the ignition coil, building up an ignition spark through non-conductive switching of the switching element, and after renewed conductive switching of the switching element for operating the ignition coil in transformer operation, the supply voltage of the control unit is detected and if a pre-determined value, representing the presence of a surface gap, is exceeded, the switching element is once more switched non-conductive.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil designed as a transformer, the secondary winding thereof being designed to connect to a spark plug, an actuatable switch element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a controller connected to the primary winding of the ignition coil and the control input of the switching element. The controller has a voltage converter which provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil at the output thereof and which can be connected to a motor vehicle electrical system voltage, a controllable changeover switch for applying the supply voltage at either positive or negative polarity to the series circuit of the primary winding of the ignition coil and the switching element, depending on a control signal, and a control circuit which generates the control signal based on a phase of the ignition process.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, said device having an ignition coil designed as a transformer, an igniter plug connected to the ignition coil secondary winding, a controllable switching element connected in series to the ignition coil primary winding and a control unit connected to the ignition coil primary winding and the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil and a control signal for the switching element depending upon the flows through the ignition coil primary and secondary winding and the voltage between the connection point of the ignition coil primary winding to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, to provide an adjustable alternating current for the igniter plug, to provide a targeted supply of power distributed over the ignition time interval.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, which ignition device includes an ignition coil configured as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuable switching element connected in series to the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides an adjustable supply voltage for the ignition coil and an actuating signal for the switching element as a function of the currents through the primary and the secondary windings of the ignition coil and the voltage between the connecting point of the primary winding of the ignition coil to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, as a result of which firstly operation of the spark plug by way of alternating current is possible and secondly regulation of said current is possible, which leads to more reliable ignition with a lower wear of the spark

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil disposed as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuatable switching element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the primary winding and to the control input of the switching element. After charging the ignition coil, building up an ignition spark through non-conductive switching of the switching element, and after renewed conductive switching of the switching element for operating the ignition coil in transformer operation, the supply voltage of the control unit is detected and if a pre-determined value, representing the presence of a surface gap, is exceeded, the switching element is once more switched non-conductive.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, said device having an ignition coil designed as a transformer, an igniter plug connected to the ignition coil secondary winding, a controllable switching element connected in series to the ignition coil primary winding and a control unit connected to the ignition coil primary winding and the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil and a control signal for the switching element depending upon the flows through the ignition coil primary and secondary winding and the voltage between the connection point of the ignition coil primary winding to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, to provide an adjustable alternating current for the igniter plug, to provide a targeted supply of power distributed over the ignition time interval.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil designed as a transformer, the secondary winding thereof being designed to connect to a spark plug, an actuatable switch element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a controller connected to the primary winding of the ignition coil and the control input of the switching element. The controller has a voltage converter which provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil at the output thereof and which can be connected to a motor vehicle electrical system voltage, a controllable changeover switch for applying the supply voltage at either positive or negative polarity to the series circuit of the primary winding of the ignition coil and the switching element, depending on a control signal, and a control circuit which generates the control signal based on a phase of the ignition process.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, which ignition device includes an ignition coil configured as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuable switching element connected in series to the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides an adjustable supply voltage for the ignition coil and an actuating signal for the switching element as a function of the currents through the primary and the secondary windings of the ignition coil and the voltage between the connecting point of the primary winding of the ignition coil to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, as a result of which firstly operation of the spark plug by way of alternating current is possible and secondly regulation of said current is possible, which leads to more reliable ignition with a lower wear of the spark