An electronic device for controlling an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine includes a high voltage switch, a driving unit and a control unit. The driving unit controls the closure of the switch during charging energy in the primary winding and the opening of the switch during transferring energy from the primary winding to a secondary winding. A current measuring circuit is connected in series to a second terminal of the secondary winding to detect current generated on the secondary winding during the charging step and generate a signal representative of the detected current. The control unit receives the signal representative of the current detected by the measuring circuit, compares a relevant value of such signal with a predefined first reference value and activates a mode for detecting a soiling of the spark plug when the relevant value of the signal exceeds said predefined first reference value.

A switch control circuit controls a switch element connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil in accordance with an ignition signal. The switch element includes a transistor and a protection element connected between a collector and gate of the transistor. The switch control circuit uses a voltage at a gate terminal controlling the transistor or a voltage corresponding to a collector current of the transistor as a detection voltage and generates a status detection signal corresponding to a change in the detection voltage.

A switch control circuit controls a switch element connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil in accordance with an ignition signal. The switch element includes a transistor and a protection element connected between a collector and gate of the transistor. The switch control circuit uses a voltage at a gate terminal controlling the transistor or a voltage corresponding to a collector current of the transistor as a detection voltage and generates a status detection signal corresponding to a change in the detection voltage.

Provided is an electronic control unit capable of performing a high-accurate failure diagnosis in a short time as an electronic control unit having a failure diagnosis function. A load drive circuit that drives a load, a control circuit that controls the load drive circuit, and a diagnosis circuit that diagnoses an output state of the load drive circuit and outputs a diagnostic result to the control circuit are provided. The diagnosis circuit outputs a diagnosis completion flag indicating whether or not there is a diagnosis opportunity to the control circuit.

Methods and systems are provided for a visual indicator of engine performance. In one example, a method may include generating an adaptive knock control parameter and adjusting a display to an operator. The display may be adjusted based on the adaptive knock control parameter and may allow the operator to be notified of changes in available engine power.

A control system and method for a multi-fuel generator engine are mainly applied to multi-fuel generator products. The control system comprises a controller, a first signal input terminal, a second signal input terminal, a third signal input terminal, and an output terminal connected to an ignition device of a generator engine. When the third signal input terminal of the controller receives a generator engine start signal and either the first signal input terminal or the second signal input terminal receives a signal corresponding to an on state of the corresponding valve assembly, the controller controls the ignition device to ignite. According to control system and method, the controller detects signals corresponding to the states of the two fuel valve assemblies to determine whether or not fuels are normally supplied, so that operating instabilities or faults caused by synchronous supply of two fuels to the generator engine are avoided.

A vehicle kill switch assembly includes a switch that is coupled to a vehicle. The switch is positioned beneath a driver's seat of the vehicle and the switch is electrically coupled to the ignition system of the vehicle. The ignition system is turned off when the switch is disengaged. A biasing unit is coupled to the vehicle and the driver's seat is coupled to the biasing unit. The biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly in the vehicle and the biasing unit is compressed when the driver sits in the driver's seat. The switch is engaged when the biasing unit is compressed to facilitate the vehicle to be driven. Conversely, the switch is disengaged when the biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly to inhibit the vehicle from being driven.

A vehicle kill switch assembly includes a switch that is coupled to a vehicle. The switch is positioned beneath a driver's seat of the vehicle and the switch is electrically coupled to the ignition system of the vehicle. The ignition system is turned off when the switch is disengaged. A biasing unit is coupled to the vehicle and the driver's seat is coupled to the biasing unit. The biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly in the vehicle and the biasing unit is compressed when the driver sits in the driver's seat. The switch is engaged when the biasing unit is compressed to facilitate the vehicle to be driven. Conversely, the switch is disengaged when the biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly to inhibit the vehicle from being driven.

A control device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine and of an electrical machine in a hybrid drive assembly, which permits a mechanical coupling of the engine and the machine in a drive train. An engine control part controls the internal combustion engine and an electrical machine control part controls the electrical machine. A monitoring part monitors proper operation of the control parts and, in the event of a malfunction, takes over a control function within a reaction time span. An engine false-start prevention part detects a transition of the internal combustion engine from stopped to running and, in the event of such a transition, checks if a proper start of the internal combustion engine was requested within a predefined past time span in order to prevent a fuel supply release and/or an ignition release if such a start was not requested.

A control system and method for a multi-fuel generator engine are mainly applied to multi-fuel generator products. The control system comprises a controller, a first signal input terminal, a second signal input terminal, a third signal input terminal, and an output terminal connected to an ignition device of a generator engine. When the third signal input terminal of the controller receives a generator engine start signal and either the first signal input terminal or the second signal input terminal receives a signal corresponding to an on state of the corresponding valve assembly, the controller controls the ignition device to ignite. According to control system and method, the controller detects signals corresponding to the states of the two fuel valve assemblies to determine whether or not fuels are normally supplied, so that operating instabilities or faults caused by synchronous supply of two fuels to the generator engine are avoided.