Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100033066 | Starting device for engines - An electromagnetic switch unit comprises a solenoid device that pushes out a pinion gear to a ring gear side of an engine, and an electromagnetic switch that opens and closes a main point of contact of a motor circuit. The solenoid device and the electromagnetic switch are arranged in series in an axial direction, while a magnetic plate that forms a part of magnetic circuit between a first coil used for the solenoid device and a second coil used for the electromagnetic switch is shared by the solenoid device and the electromagnetic switch. | 02-11-2010 |
20100050970 | System for restarting internal combustion engine when engine restart request occurs - In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft. | 03-04-2010 |
20100059007 | Engine start system for use in idle stop system for automotive vehicle - An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. The engine start system includes a pinion gear to be pushed to a ring gear coupled to an engine for achieving meshing engagement with the ring gear. After the pinion gear engages the ring gear, the engine start system starts to rotate the pinion gear using a starter motor to crank the engine. Specifically, when an engine restart request is made following an engine stop request, the engine start system waits until after the speed of the engine drops below a preselected gear engageble speed and then moves the pinion gear toward the ring gear without rotating the pinion gear. This minimizes the consumption of fuel in the vehicle in supplying electric power to the starter motor and a maximum level of mechanical noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear. | 03-11-2010 |
20100083926 | System for restarting internal combustion engine when engine restart request occurs - In a system for cranking a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a starter is provided with a motor working to, when energized, rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator working to, when energized, shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and operative to output electrical power. A first mechanical relay is electrically connected between the power supply and the motor, and works to turn on and off a supply of a current based on the electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion. A switching element is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay, and works to turn on and off the supply of the current to the motor for rotating the pinion. | 04-08-2010 |
20100180849 | SYSTEM FOR RESTARTING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHEN ENGINE RESTART CONDITION IS MET - In a system, an angle sensor outputs a pulse each time an output shaft of an internal combustion engine rotates by a preset angle, and a calculator calculates speed-change information indicative of a change in a speed of rotation of the output shaft based on the pulses outputted from the angle sensor. A determiner determines, based on the speed-change information, whether at least one of the pulses outputted from the angle sensor represents a proper timing for a preset of a pinion of a starter with a ring gear mounted on the output shaft. A pinion engaging unit shifts the pinion toward the ring gear so that the pinion is engaged with the ring gear when it is determined that the at least one of the pulses outputted from the angle sensor represents the proper timing for the preset of the pinion with the ring gear. | 07-22-2010 |
20100251851 | STARTER ADAPTED TO ABSORB ENGINE-OSCILLATION - A starter to start an engine mounted on a vehicle provides an electromagnetic solenoid to push a pinion gear towards a ring gear side, an electromagnetic switch to open and close a motor contact point. The electromagnetic solenoid and the electromagnetic switch are individually controlled by an Electronic Control Unit i.e., ECU. When an idle-stop is triggered, the ECU controls a starter relay to be closed during the ring gear is rotating whereby the pinion gear together with a clutch are pushed out to counter-motor direction by the electromagnetic solenoid. As a result, the pinion gear meshes with the ring gear that is rotating at lower rotational speed. Therefore, the inertial mass of the starter is added to the ring gear so that swinging of the engine can be suppressed. | 10-07-2010 |
20100251852 | ENGINE START SYSTEM MINIMIZING MECHANICAL IMPACT OR NOISE - An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system. | 10-07-2010 |
20100251853 | STARTER MOUNTED ON VEHICLE HAVING IDLE-STOP APPARATUS - A starter includes an electromagnetic solenoid that generates force for pushing a pinion gear | 10-07-2010 |
20100257975 | STARTER HAVING NOISE REDUCTION STRUCTURE - The present invention provides a starter, including a motor generating torque; a shaft rotating by the torque; a clutch fitting an outer periphery of the shaft; a pinion gear receiving the torque; a pinion control means configured to allow the pinion gear integrally with the clutch to be pushed out; a motor control means for controlling current supplied to the motor; and an inner tube that is arranged to be extended from the inner and in the direction opposite to the motor, supports the pinion gear so as to inhibit rotation thereof with respect to the periphery of the inner tube, and supports the pinion gear to be slidable; wherein a gear-side face and a tube-side face are formed in the pinion gear and the inner tube, respectively, in which the faces are facing each other, and a cushioning member is disposed between the gear-side face and the tube-side face. | 10-14-2010 |
20100264670 | STARTER FOR STARTING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - In a starter for starting an internal combustion engine with a first output shaft to which a ring gear is coupled, a motor has a second output shaft to which a movable pinion member is coupled and is operative to, when energized, rotate the second output shaft. A solenoid device includes a solenoid actuator linked to the movable pinion member. The solenoid actuator is configured to, when activated, shift the movable pinion member toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The solenoid device includes a solenoid switch configure to, when activated, energize the motor. The solenoid actuator and the solenoid switch are integrated with each other to provide the solenoid device. A controller module is configured to individually control an activation of the solenoid actuator and an activation of the solenoid switch. The controller module is mounted on the solenoid device. | 10-21-2010 |
20100264764 | STARTER FOR VEHICLES - A solenoid for pushing out a pinion pushes out a pinion gear to a ring gear side and a switch for motor energization that opens and closes a motor point of contact have a solenoid coil and a switch coil that form an electromagnet by energization, respectively. A fixed iron core used commonly by both coils is arranged between the solenoid coil and the switch coil. A solenoid yoke that covers a perimeter of the solenoid and a switch yoke that covers a perimeter of the switch are formed integrally as a whole yoke in an axial direction. | 10-21-2010 |
20100264765 | APPARATUS FOR STARTING ENGINE MOUNTED ON-VEHICLE - In a starter for starting an on-vehicle engine, a solenoid is provided to push a pinion gear. The solenoid has an electromagnetic coil composed of a single coil and electrically separated from a motor circuit, a fixed core, and a plunger. Supply of excitation current to the electromagnetic coil allows the fixed core to be magnetized to attract the plunger. Hence, a movement of the plunger results in a push of the movable member toward the ring gear. A switch is provided in the circuit and has a contact, a movable core, and a switch coil functioning as an electromagnet attracting the movable core in response to supply of current to the switch coil. A movement of the movable core results in on/off switching operations of the switch. The switch is allowed to operate independently of the solenoid when both the switch and solenoid are controlled. | 10-21-2010 |
20100269630 | ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS - In an engine starting apparatus, together with a one-way clutch, a pinion is pushed toward a ring gear of an engine mounted in a vehicle, The one-way clutch has an idling torque smaller than a torque of the ring gear that tries to turn the pinion when the pinion is pushed to the ring gear. By a control device, a pinion pushing device is enabled to operate when i) the revolution speed of the ring gear is larger than a revolution speed of the pinion and ii) a relative revolution speed between the revolution speed of the ring gear and the revolution speed of the pinion is a desired value. | 10-28-2010 |
20100269631 | STARTER FOR VEHICLES - A starter for starting an engine in a vehicle is disclosed. The starter includes a motor and an output shaft that rotates by receiving torque from the motor. The starter also includes a pinion movable body that includes a pinion for transmitting the torque of the motor to a ring gear of the engine. The pinion movable body is provided on an outer circumference of the output shaft integrally with the pinion in a manner allowing movement along an axial direction thereof. The pinion is pushed towards the ring gear by a pinion-pushing means. A motor current-supply means turns ON and OFF energizing current flowing to the motor. A shock absorbing device is disposed on a torque transmitting path transmitting the torque of the motor to the pinion. | 10-28-2010 |
20100326389 | SYSTEM FOR RESTARTING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHEN ENGINE RESTART REQUEST OCCURS - In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft. | 12-30-2010 |
20110001589 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY FOR STARTERS - Terminal-bolts and a fixed contact are formed with different kinds of metals, and fixed to a fixing hole formed in the fixed contact by press fitting one end of the terminal-bolts. A plurality of concavo-convex parts is provided on a surface of the fixed contact that faces the movable contact. A plurality of concavo-convex portions is provided on another surface of the fixed contact that faces an anti movable-contact side. The concavo-convex portions are arranged so that positions of concave parts of the concavo-convex portions match positions of convex parts of the concavo-convex portions provided in the opposite surface of the fixed contact. The concavo-convex parts are at least partly curved, and have the same height and project in a height direction from the fixed contact. | 01-06-2011 |
20110140813 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH WITH ENHANCED STABILITY IN OPERATION - A normally-closed electromagnetic relay which may be used in controlling a supply of electric current to an automotive engine starter. The electromagnetic relay is equipped with a resistor and a shirt circuit. The short circuit is created by closing of relay contacts when a relay coil is energized to establish an electric connection between ends of the resistor to supply the current from a battery to an electric motor without flowing through the resistor and opened by opening of the relay contacts when the relay coil is deenergized to supply the electric current from the battery to the electric motor through the resistor. If a motor drive signal line leading to the electromagnetic relay is disconnected when the relay coil is kept energized, it will cause the short circuit to be established to ensure the supply of current to the motor, which also avoids the melting down of the resistor. | 06-16-2011 |
20110187127 | SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR STARTER - There is disclosed a switching apparatus for a starter comprising a resistor for suppressing a startup current of a motor when an engine is started, an electromagnetic relay for bypassing the resistor to energize the motor after the motor is started, a function for pushing a pinion of the starter toward a ring gear, an electromagnetic switch for opening and closing a main contact of the motor circuit. The resistor, the electromagnetic relay, and the electromagnetic switch are integrally accommodated inside a housing formed of a metallic bottomed frame and a contact cover, and are connected to the motor circuit via two external connection terminals fixed to the contact cover. The apparatus can facilitate connectivity to the vehicle side by reducing the number of cables and can enhance an installation property. | 08-04-2011 |
20110304947 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH - An electromagnetic switch is provided which includes: a coil generating magnetomotive force; a frame accommodating the coil and generating a flux path; a resin cover covering an opening of the frame; and a current-supply terminal member energizing the coil. The current-supply terminal member includes: a blade-shaped terminal whose end is connected to the coil and whose another end is drawn out of the resin cover in the axial direction of the electromagnetic switch; and a plate-shaped external connection terminal whose end is joined to an end of the blade-shaped terminal and whose another end is drawn out in the direction intersecting the axial direction. A portion between the ends of the external connection terminal is insert-molded in a terminal anchor block provided with the resin cover. A female terminal of a power supply connector provided at an electric supply line is fitted and electrically connected to the external connection terminal. | 12-15-2011 |
20120035837 | SYSTEM FOR RESTARTING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHEN ENGINE RESTART REQUEST OCCURS - In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft. | 02-09-2012 |
20120119497 | Starting Device for Engines - An electromagnetic switch unit comprises a solenoid device that pushes out a pinion gear to a ring gear side of an engine, and an electromagnetic switch that opens and closes a main point of contact of a motor circuit. The solenoid device and the electromagnetic switch are arranged in series in an axial direction, while a magnetic plate that forms a part of magnetic circuit between a first coil used for the solenoid device and a second coil used for the electromagnetic switch is shared by the solenoid device and the electromagnetic switch. | 05-17-2012 |
20120162847 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY - An electromagnetic relay for starting a motor of a starter includes a resistor to reduce an activation current that flows through the motor from a battery for activation of the motor, a relay contact that causes the starting current to flow while bypassing the resistor, a relay coil that forms an electromagnet when excited by energization, and a control circuit that controls an excited state of the relay coil for activation of the motor to open or close the relay contact, thus controlling energization of the motor from the battery via the resistor. The electromagnetic relay incorporates therein the control circuit. | 06-28-2012 |
20120206220 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH DEVICE - In an electromagnetic switch, a magnetic plate, which forms a part of a magnetic circuit, and a bobbin of a second coil are assembled as one body by insert molding. An outer circumferential surface of the magnetic plate is adhered to an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical frame made of metal. Because a large amount of heat energy generated in the second coil is transmitted to the magnetic plate, this can discharge the heat energy through the magnetic plate to the cylindrical flame. Because a mounting surface of the cylindrical frame is fixed to an end part of a starter housing case, it is possible to easily discharge the heat energy generated in the second coil through the cylindrical frame to the starter housing case. This structure prevents a temperature rise of the second coil and contributes entire-size reduction of the electromagnetic switch. | 08-16-2012 |
20120218063 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH WITH TWO ELECTROMAGNETS - There is an electromagnetic switch for a starter includes a first and second electromagnet and a frame and a cover. The first and second electromagnets are set alongside in the frame. The first and second electromagnets are configured to change a position with respect to the cover by rotating about the axis with respect to the frame. | 08-30-2012 |
20120293284 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH - An electromagnetic switch operative to close and open an electrical contact arrangement to thereby turn on and off an electrical current flowing through an electrical circuit. A movable iron core includes a shaft insertion hole that extends in an axial direction of the movable iron core and has an opening in an end face of the movable iron core axially opposing a movable contact of the electrical contact arrangement. The hole includes a step disposed at a position along the depth, a shaft fixture section on a bottom side of the step, and a shaft guide section on an opening side of the step. An inside diameter of the shaft fixture section is smaller than an inside diameter of the shaft guide section. One axial end side portion of the shaft is press fit in the shaft fixture section. | 11-22-2012 |
20130027157 | STARTER-USE ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH - The starter-use electromagnetic switch has an electrical contact interposed in a power supply line for supplying power from a battery to a starter motor, the main contact being turned on and off in interlock with energization of an electromagnet implemented by an excitation coil. The electromagnetic switch includes a connection fitting connected to the excitation coil at one end thereof and drawn outside through a resin cover of the electromagnetic switch at the other end thereof, and a terminal fitting electrically and mechanically connected to the other end of the connection fitting at one end thereof, the other end of the terminal fitting being branched into first and second terminal pieces. The first terminal piece serves as an excitation terminal supplied with power from the battery. The second terminal piece serves as a connection terminal connected to an excitation terminal of an external electromagnetic switch through a cable. | 01-31-2013 |
20130321106 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH - An electromagnetic switch is provided which includes: a coil generating magnetomotive force; a frame accommodating the coil and generating a flux path; a resin cover covering an opening of the frame; and a current-supply terminal member energizing the coil. The current-supply terminal member includes: a blade-shaped terminal whose end is connected to the coil and whose another end is drawn out of the resin cover in the axial direction of the electromagnetic switch; and a plate-shaped external connection terminal whose end is joined to an end of the blade-shaped terminal and whose another end is drawn out in the direction intersecting the axial direction. A portion between the ends of the external connection terminal is insert-molded in a terminal anchor block provided with the resin cover. A female terminal of a power supply connector provided at an electric supply line is fitted and electrically connected to the external connection terminal. | 12-05-2013 |
20140041613 | ENGINE START SYSTEM MINIMIZING MECHANICAL IMPACT OR NOISE - An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system. | 02-13-2014 |
20140239641 | APPARATUS FOR STARTING ENGINE MOUNTED ON-VEHICLE - In a starter for starting an on-vehicle engine, a solenoid is provided to push a pinion gear. The solenoid has an electromagnetic coil composed of a single coil and electrically separated from a motor circuit, a fixed core, and a plunger. Supply of excitation current to the electromagnetic coil allows the fixed core to be magnetized to attract the plunger. Hence, a movement of the plunger results in a push of the movable member toward the ring gear. A switch is provided in the circuit and has a contact, a movable core, and a switch coil functioning as an electromagnet attracting the movable core in response to supply of current to the switch coil. A movement of the movable core results in on/off switching operations of the switch. The switch is allowed to operate independently of the solenoid when both the switch and solenoid are controlled. | 08-28-2014 |
20140285040 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH - An electromagnetic switch is provided which includes: a coil generating magnetomotive force; a frame accommodating the coil and generating a flux path; a resin cover covering an opening of the frame; and a current-supply terminal member energizing the coil. The current-supply terminal member includes: a blade-shaped terminal whose end is connected to the coil and whose another end is drawn out of the resin cover in the axial direction of the electromagnetic switch; and a plate-shaped external connection terminal whose end is joined to an end of the blade-shaped terminal and whose another end is drawn out in the direction intersecting the axial direction. A portion between the ends of the external connection terminal is insert-molded in a terminal anchor block provided with the resin cover. A female terminal of a power supply connector provided at an electric supply line is fitted and electrically connected to the external connection terminal. | 09-25-2014 |
20150028599 | ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY - An electromagnetic relay for starting a motor of a starter includes a resistor to reduce an activation current that flows through the motor from a battery for activation of the motor, a relay contact that causes the starting current to flow while bypassing the resistor, a relay coil that forms an electromagnet when excited by energization, and a control circuit that controls an excited state of the relay coil for activation of the motor to open or close the relay contact, thus controlling energization of the motor from the battery via the resistor. The electromagnetic relay incorporates therein the control circuit. | 01-29-2015 |