Denso Corporation

Masato Hanai

Masahiko Osada

Mikio Saito

Masanori Ohmi

Hideto Hanada

Masahiro Katoh

Ken Kuretake

Takeshi Tachibana

Shuuichi Nagata

An engine starter system includes a current switching device for controlling an armature current, a shorting relay for electrically shorting the current switching device, and an electronic control circuit. In a normal starting mode, the electronic control circuit gradually increases the armature current by varying a duty ratio of the current switching device. When the armature current becomes larger than an allowable current value of the current switching device, an armature is energized through the shorting relay. In an economy-running starting mode, the armature current is controlled through the current switching device until the engine is completely started.

Engine starter system having duty-controlled switching device

The present invention provides an engine starting method from an idling stop condition wherein a preliminary step pushes a pinion to abut with a ring gear when a vehicle operating condition is in an idling stop condition, a starting step rotates the pinion into mesh with the ring gear by a motor upon receiving an engine start signal and thereafter an engine is started, and a restoring step is carried out after engine startup where the pinion is restored to an original position thereof. Also provided, when the engine is stopped, a pinion is meshed with a ring gear. Upon engine start-up, a pinion actuator disengages the pinion from the ring gear and a cutout portion engages an engaging piece to maintain the pinion disengaged. When the engine stops, a releasing actuator disengages the cutout portion and the engaging piece and the pinion is reset.

Engine starting method in idling stop condition

A starter control system is comprised of a starter motor, a control circuit for controlling the starter motor to rotate at a preliminary rotation speed that is high enough to engage a pinion with an engine for a predetermined time and low enough to suppress a harsh noise caused when the pinion engages the engine and, thereafter, at a normal rotation speed that is high enough to start the engine, and a control circuit for changing the preliminary rotation speed according to an engine temperature. The starter control system is effective to reduce noises that are caused when the engine is started by an economy-run system.

Starter control system for automotive vehicle

In the case of an engine automatic stop and start system in which an engine is stopped while a vehicle is stopped and the engine is started when the vehicle is started, it is necessary to shorten an engine starting time when a driver desires to move the vehicle. Further, it is desirable to efficiently compensate the electric power consumed by the starter. The vehicle contains an existing low voltage power source and a high voltage power source with an excellent charging efficiency. When the engine switches from a running condition to a stopped condition while the vehicle is stopped, a change-over switch switches and applies the voltage of the high voltage power source to a starter motor. This causes the starter motor to rotate at high speeds, thereby starting the engine very quickly. Therefore, it is possible to reduce overall energy losses and improve vehicle fuel consumption.

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Atsumi-gun, Japan

Masato Hanai