An engine control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to perform a spark discharge with an ignition plug for each cylinder by cutting off energization after elapse of a predetermined period from start of energization to an ignition coil for each cylinder of the engine, to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug for each cylinder after supply of fuel to the engine is stopped when operation of the engine is stopped, and to control an ignition plug so as to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug from a cylinder after a rotation speed of a crankshaft decreases gradually and the rotation speed of the crankshaft reaches a preset threshold value or less, after the stop of the supply of fuel to the engine.

A handheld work apparatus has a combustion engine, a pull-rope starter, and a stop button for switching off the combustion engine. A throttle element is arranged in an intake channel of the combustion engine. The work apparatus has a control device for activating a spark plug and a fuel valve. The control device has a starting mode wherein the combustion engine can be started via the pull-rope starter, and an operating mode wherein the operator can adjust the throttle to vary the rotational speed (n) of the combustion engine. The operating and starting mode differ in terms of the control of ignition time and fuel quantity to be supplied. When the combustion engine is started from the switched-off state, the control device is automatically in starting mode, such that after the combustion engine is switched off, the work apparatus is immediately ready for restarting via the pull-rope starter.

A lawn care device may include an engine to selectively power the lawn care device, a frame supporting the engine of the lawn care device, an ignition system for selectively powering the lawn care device based at least in part on operation of an ignition interface controlled by a processor (310), an optical isolator (320) which detect the operational presence of the processor (310) and a shutdown circuit (300) which is able to ground out the ignition coil (360) as a function of the conductive state of the optical isolator (320); the shutdown circuit being powered by an ignition coil (360) of the ignition system to generate a failsafe condition in response to failure or loss of the processor (310).

An engine control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to perform a spark discharge with an ignition plug for each cylinder by cutting off energization after elapse of a predetermined period from start of energization to an ignition coil for each cylinder of the engine, to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug for each cylinder after supply of fuel to the engine is stopped when operation of the engine is stopped, and to control an ignition plug so as to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug from a cylinder after a rotation speed of a crankshaft decreases gradually and the rotation speed of the crankshaft reaches a preset threshold value or less, after the stop of the supply of fuel to the engine.

Provided are an ignition apparatus and an ignition control method capable of suppressing occurrence of a defect caused by a charge unit, which may occur when ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine needs to be stopped. When a stop condition for stopping ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber (2) of an internal combustion engine (1) is satisfied, supply of plasma generation energy to an ignition plug (3) is stopped, and DC energy charged in a charge unit (42) is discharged.

Provided are an ignition apparatus and an ignition control method capable of suppressing occurrence of a defect caused by a charge unit, which may occur when ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine needs to be stopped. When a stop condition for stopping ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber (2) of an internal combustion engine (1) is satisfied, supply of plasma generation energy to an ignition plug (3) is stopped, and DC energy charged in a charge unit (42) is discharged.

An engine ignition shutdown module includes a voltage regulator circuit connected to a key switch, and a pair of isolated MOSFET driver circuits connected to the voltage regulator circuit. Each MOSFET driver circuit charges a capacitor while the key switch is in a run position and the interlock switches are closed, and each capacitor discharges through a resistor for a time delay period once the key switch is moved from the run position to an off position or at least one of the interlock switches are opened. A pair of high voltage output MOSFET transistors are switched on while the capacitors discharge and provide an output to a magneto ignition for the time delay period.