WO2016093779A1

WO2016093779A1 - Starter protection system

Info

Publication number: WO2016093779A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/050120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ertunc ENVEROGLU; Murat Gundogdu
Original assignee: Turk Traktor Ve Ziraat Makineleri AS
Current assignee: Turk Traktor Ve Ziraat Makineleri AS
Priority date: 2014-12-08
Filing date: 2015-10-01
Publication date: 2016-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-08
Also published as: EP3230581A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a starter mechanism (10) which comprises an accumulator (11); an ignition switch (20) which is in contact with the accumulator (11); an ignition line (22) which is provided following the ignition switch (20); a starter motor (30) which is in contact with the ignition line (22); and a flywheel ring gear (50) to which the starter motor (30) can be clamped when driven. The starter mechanism (10) is characterized by comprising a protection circuit (40) which is provided to be parallel with the ignition line (22) so as to prevent deformation that may occur between the starter motor (30) and the flywheel ring gear (50).

Description

STARTER PROTECTION SYSTEM

DESCRI PTI ON Technical Field of the I nvention

The present invention relates to a protection system which prevents a deformation that will occur between a starter pinion and a flywheel ring gear during the initial starting off of vehicles, particularly tractors.

State of the Art (Prior Art)

Nowadays, firstly the vehicle contact is moved to start position stage in order to activate the vehicle engine. While the contact is at the start stage, a starter solenoid triggers a starter pinion and the starter pinion moves towards a flywheel ring gear. The starter pinion provides rotation of the flywheel ring gear by clutching it and this provides the first motion to the motor vehicle. However, sometimes vehicle engines do not get the first drive according to above mentioned procedure and are not started . Even if the engine is not started, it keeps rotating for a certain time with the effect of moment of inertia it has on the starter pinion . I f the user makes the second starting activity in order to make the engine start again, the starter pinion rotates and gets close to the flywheel ring gear; as a result deformation occurs on the starter pinion and flywheel ring gear during coupling. Since the starter pinion gets closer by rotating, it cannot settle directly inside a gap of the flywheel ring gear. The starter pinion rubs against the flywheel ring gear for a certain amount of time. The friction continues until the starter pinion coincides with the gap on the flywheel ring gear. When the starter pinion coincides with the gap, it continues moving forward and tries to rotate the flywheel ring gear. Another deformation reason that will occur between the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear is the fact that the user may try to have an already operating vehicle started for the second time due to ambient conditions. I n this case, deformation on said starter pinion and flywheel ring gear can occur since the system is already active. Thanks to some electronic systems in the market, present problem has been aimed to be avoided. A starter protection relay and a circuit which has a timer which waits for six seconds after a starting activity. After the vehicle is started , when an alternator steps in , it perceives that the vehicle is active and does not allow a second starting activity. Disadvantage of this system is that the alternator steps in after the engine is activated and does not allow the second starting process. However it does not provide any solution to the failure of starting off of the engine.

I n other applications, when a first starting off by the aid of a thread inside the ignition switch is carried out , the thread locks the switch and prevents a second ignition of the engine. I n order to repeat the starting off process, the ignition switch must be brought back to the 0 position. However in sad solution while the starter pinion continues to rotate due to moment of inertia, the contact can be returned back to the 0 position and an ignition can be carried out ; therefore the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear may get damaged .

The patent application no US201 2060786 relates to a contact circuit structure. I n this patent application, there a part which is integrated on a contact circuit and cuts electromagnetic relay is provided . By means of this circuit, the user is prevented to carry out the second starting for a certain time following the first starting off process.

BRI EF DESCRI PTI ON AND THE OBJECT OF THE I NVENTI ON

The present invention relates to a starting protection system used in vehicle engines in order to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages and to provide new advantages to the related technical field .

An object of the invention is to introduce a protection system which provides prevention of deformation that will occur between a starter pinion and a flywheel ring gear. Another object of the invention is to introduce a protection system which provides prevention of the second starting of the engine while it is already active.

The present invention, which is to realize the above mentioned obj ects and the objects to be obtained from following detailed description , relates to a starter mechanism which has an accum ulator; an ignition switch which is in contact with the accum ulator; an ignition line which is provided, following the ignition switch ; a starter motor which is in contact with the ignition line; and a flywheel ring gear to which the starter motor can be clamped when driven . The starter mechanism is characterized by comprising a protection circuit that is provided to be parallel with the ignition line so as to prevent deformation which may occur between the starter motor and the flywheel ring gear.

I n a preferred embodiment of the invention , a protection circuit comprises a relay which is provided on an ignition line; an information line which is provided following an ignition switch ; and a m icroprocessor which is provided at the end of the information line so as to check and be in contact with the relay.

I n another preferred embodiment of the invention, a relay comprises a resistor in contact with a microprocessor and a key provided on an ignition line. Accordingly, when a current passes through the resistor, it gains magnetic characteristic, and affects the switch and ensures cutting of an activation circuit.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a relay line which is provided between a microprocessor and a resistor. Accordingly, a second point is defined in order to ensure that the protection circuit is able to make parallel connection on a starter mechanism .

Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a chassis which is provided following a resistor. Accordingly, in the event that energy above normal values is received in the resistor, excessive energy is transm itted to the chassis. Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a processor line which is provided between an accum ulator and a microprocessor. Accordingly, continuous energy is provided to a m icroprocessor for it to be able to operate.

A starter mechanism according to previous embodiments relates to an operating method. Said starter mechanism operates according to the following steps:

a) The user locates the vehicle key in an ignition switch and to turns the vehicle key from the start position to the first stage, and directs the energy com ing from an accumulator to an information line,

b) The user continues to apply force on the vehicle key and directs the energy received from the accumulator to an ignition line, c) The user stops applying force on the vehicle key and returns the vehicle key to the first stage inside the ignition switch, and transm its the energy received by the accumulator to the information line,

d) The microprocessor transmits, the energy received from the accumulator to the resistor through a relay line,

e) The resistor gains magnetic characteristics for a certain period of time and the key is brought to the open position thereby cutting off the ignition line.

Another preferred embodiment of the method is that the certain time period mentioned in paragraph e is at least 8 seconds after the energy leading to the resistor is cut off .

Thus, even if the user turns the vehicle key inside the ignition switch to the start position, it keeps its magnetic state with the energy on the resistor. The user cannot start the engine for the second time before said 8 seconds passes even though he tries to. Within the time mentioned, a pinion on the starter motor returns to fixed position .

Description of the Figures I llustrating the I nvention

Figure 1 shows a general view of a starting system . Figure 2 shows a general view of a starter circuit .

Figure 3 shows the algorithm of the system .

Description of the Elements/ Components/ Parts Forming the I nvention

1 0 Starter mechanism

1 1 Accum ulator

1 2 Contact Line

13 Processor Line

20 I gnition Switch

21 I nformation Line

22 I gnition line

30 Starter Motor

40 Protection Circuit

41 Microprocessor 41 1 First Position

412 Second Position

42 Relay

421 Resistor

422 Key

43 Chassis

44 Relay Line

50 Flywheel ring gear DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF TH E I NVENTI ON

I n this detailed description, innovation of the invention is described by examples, which will not create any limited effect, in order to ensure better understanding of the subject. Accordingly, the invention relates to a protection circuit (40) which is developed for preventing deformation to occur particularly between a starter motor (30) and a flywheel ring gear (50) and relates to structural elements that form the protection circuit (40) in a starter mechanism (10) of a vehicle.

With reference to Figure 1 , a general view of a starter mechanism (10) is shown. The starter mechanism (10) has an accumulator (1 1 ) which supplies the first energy to the system . An ignition switch (20) in contact with the accumulator (1 1 ) and a starter motor (30) in contact with the ignition switch (20) is provided. A protection circuit (40) which is provided between the ignition switch (20) and the starter motor (30) is provided. A flywheel ring gear (50) which is positioned around the starter motor (30) and can be in contact with the starter motor (30) provisionally when driven is provided. Contact of the starter motor (30) with the flywheel ring gear (50) occurs through a starter pinion (not shown) .

With reference to Figure 2, a circuit diagram which will form a starter mechanism (10) is shown. A contact line (12) which leads from the accumulator (1 1 ) to an ignition switch

(20) is provided. Similarly, a processor line (13) leading from the accumulator (1 1 ) to a protection circuit (40) is present. The contact and processor lines (12, 13) ensure that energy necessary for operation of the ignition switch (20) and the protection circuit (40) is transmitted. A protection circuit (40) has a microprocessor (41) and a relay (42) in contact with the microprocessor (41). The relay (42) consists of a resistor (421) and a key (422). When a current passes via the resistor (421), the relay (42) gains magnetic characteristic. A processor line (13) extending from an accumulator (11) is in contact with the microprocessor (41) inside the protection circuit (40). A relay line (44) is provided between the microprocessor (41) and the resistor (421). The relay line (44) can be coupled to the resistor (421) from its ends. The relay line (44) consists of two separate arms each one of which leads to an end of the resistor (421). The second arm of the relay line (44) is in contact with a chassis (43) departing from the resistor (421). There are two lines provided between an ignition switch (20) and the microprocessor (41). One of them is an information line (21) and the other one is an ignition line (22). The information line (21) corresponds to the first position (411) on the microprocessor (41) while the ignition line (22) corresponds to the second position (412). The ignition line (22) departs from the microprocessor (41) and is coupled with the key (422) and following said coupling it extends and reaches the starter motor (30).

The operation of an ignition switch (20) is as follows. A user inserts the vehicle key in the ignition switch (20) and turns it to the first stage. At this point, energy coming from an accumulator (11) is transmitted to an information line (21). Then, the user continues the movement and turns the vehicle key. Thus, the user ensures that energy coming from the accumulator (11) is transmitted to an ignition line (22). When the user stops the turning force he applies on the vehicle key, the key returns to the first position. Therefore, it is ensured that energy coming from the accumulator (11) is retransmitted to the information line (21).

The operation of a starter mechanism (10) and a protection circuit (40) integrated with the starter mechanism (10) is as follows. A user inserts a vehicle key into an ignition switch (20) and turns it to the first stage. Energy coming from an accumulator (11) is directed to an information line (21). A microprocessor (41) senses that energy is at the first position (411), the vehicle is prepared for being operated, and the first energy is given to the system. When the user applies force for turning the vehicle key, energy coming from the accumulator (11) is transmitted to an ignition line (22). The microprocessor (41) senses that the second position (412) is reached. Energy received from the accumulator (11) reaches a starter motor (30) passing through a key (422). When the user stops the force he has been applying on the vehicle key, the m icroprocessor (41 ) is returned to the first position (41 1 ) .

After this point , two alternative states related to the activity of a starter mechanism ( 1 0) occur. The first one is that a starter motor (30) transm its the first drive sufficiently to a flywheel ring gear (50) and the vehicle becomes active. I n this situation , when a m icroprocessor (41 ) switches into the first position (41 1 ) , energy leading to the m icroprocessor (41 ) is transm itted to a resistor (421 ) through a relay line (44) . With the resistor (421 ) gaining magnetic characteristic, a key (422) switches into open position. Therefore, a circuit defining an ignition line (22) is cut. Transm ission of the energy from an accumulator ( 1 1 ) to a starter motor (30) is prevented . I n the event that the user tries to start the engine again while the vehicle is active, since no energy can be transmitted from the accumulator ( 1 1 ) to the starter motor (30) , no deformation between the starter motor (30) pinion and the flywheel ring gear (50) can occur.

The second alternative situation is that a starter motor (30) cannot transm it sufficient drive to a flywheel ring gear (50) and a vehicle does not operate. I n this case, when a user stops the force he as been applying on a vehicle key, the vehicle key returns to the first position (41 1 ) inside an ignition switch (20) . During this time, the energy received from an accum ulator (1 1 ) is transmitted to a microprocessor (41 1 ) through an information line (21 ) . This transmitted energy is transferred to a resistor (421 ) through a relay line (44) . The resistor (421 ) gains magnetic characteristic by said energy for a certain amount of time. During said time, the resistor (421 ) brings the key (422) to an open position. Accordingly, if the user tries to start the engine again during the mentioned time, energy is not transmitted to the starter motor (30) since the key (422) located on the ignition line (22) is open. Therefore, the user waits for said time to pass and for the resistor (421 ) to lose its magnetic characteristic.

As long as the user brings back the vehicle key to the initial in an ignition switch (20) and cuts the energy leading to an information line (21 ) , the above mentioned condition continues. Even if the user returns the vehicle key on the ignition switch (20) to the start position immediately, a resistor (421 ) can protect its magnetic characteristic for a certain time with the energy transmitted to it. The time period is approximately eight seconds. Thus, successive starting operation by the user is prevented. Magnetic characteristic time of the resistor (421 ) includes rotation and stop time of a starter pinion with the effect of moment of inertia. When the user desired to carry out a second starting operation, the starter pinion is at a standstill. Therefore, the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear (50) can be coupled appropriately.

A microprocessor (41) decides to transmit the energy between the first position (411) and the second position (412). Accordingly, it provides energy transmission to a resistor (421) and a relay (42) is activated. For example, when a user sets a vehicle key from the start position to the first position (411), the microprocessor (41) does not transmit any energy to the resistor (421). Since the resistor (421) does not gain magnetic characteristic, it cannot get a key (422) opened and no disconnection occurs on an ignition line (22). When the user continues to turn the vehicle key, the microprocessor (41) senses that the second position (412) is reached. After this point, when the vehicle key turns to the first position (411), the microprocessor (41) transmits the energy coming from an accumulator (11) to the resistor (421). As long as the user does not set the vehicle key to the starting position on the ignition switch, the microprocessor (41) continues transmitting the received energy to the resistor (421).

Claims

CLAI MS

1 . A starter mechanism (10) comprising an accumulator ( 1 1 ) ; an ignition switch (20) which is in contact with the accumulator (1 1 ) ; an ignition line (22) which is provided following the ignition switch (20) ; a starter motor (30) which is in contact with the ignition line (22) ; and a flywheel ring gear (50) to which the starter motor (30) can be clamped when driven, characterized in that it comprises a protection circuit (40) which is provided to be parallel with the ignition line (22) so as to prevent deformation which may occur between the a starter mechanism's (10) starter motor (30) and the flywheel ring gear (50) .

2. A starter mechanism (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a protection circuit (40) comprises a relay (42) which is provided on an ignition line (22) ; an information line (21 ) which is provided following an ignition switch (20) ; and a microprocessor (41 ) which is provided at the end of the information line (21 ) so as to check and be in contact with the relay (42) .

3. A starter mechanism (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that a relay (42) comprises a resistor (421 ) in contact with a microprocessor (41 ) and a key (422) provided on an ignition line (22) .

4. A starter mechanism (1 0) according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a relay line (44) which is provided between a microprocessor (41 ) and a resistor (421 ) .

5. A starter mechanism (10) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a chassis (43) which is provided following a resistor (421 ) .

6. A starter mechanism (1 0) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a processor line ( 13) which is provided between an accumulator ( 1 1 ) and a microprocessor (41 ) .

7. An operating method for a starter mechanism (10) according to claims 1 -6, characterized in that it comprises the following steps for actuation of the starter mechanism ( 10) : a) The user locates the vehicle key in an ignition switch and to turns the vehicle key from the start position to the first stage, and directs the energy coming from an accumulator to an information line,

b) The user continues to apply force on the vehicle key and directs the energy received from the accumulator to an ignition line,

c) The user stops applying force on the vehicle key and returns the vehicle key to the first stage inside the ignition switch, and transmits the energy received by the accumulator to the information line,

8. An operating method of a starter mechanism (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the certain amount of time mentioned in paragraph "e" is at least 8 seconds following the cutting off of the energy received by the resistor (421 ) .