CA1267956A - Motor vehicle starting system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The system includes an additional battery, a relay normally connecting a normal car battery and the additional battery in parallel for warm weather operation, said relay, when actuated, connecting the two batteries in series for cold weather operation to impart a boost to the motor vehicle starter. The switch controlling the relay is either a push-button switch mounted on the vehicle dash for manual operation, or a thermostatic switch controlled by the engine temperature. Preferably, the two batteries are located in a common casing.

Description

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E'I¢LD OF Tlll~ INVl:N'rlON
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle star-ting sys-tem effective for cold weather as well as warm weather operation.
_~CT~GROUND OF TLI~ INV~NTIO
In cold weather, say minus 10C and below, most motor vehicles fail to start when their star-ter is actuated.
Tlle vehicle-equipped battery fails because the lubricating oil is too viscous and because of -the reduced power output of the bat-tery. It is a conven-tional procedure to connect in parallel an additional ba-ttery to the vehicle ba-ttery to thus start the engine. Such a solution requires an extra battery, WhiCIl has -to be kept in a warm environment.
It requires also openincJ the veh:icle hood and to manually connect the two batteries wi-th the risk oE damaging the bat-teries when improperly connec-ted.
OBJ~CTS OE` Tll~ INV~NTION
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I-t is the main object of the presen-t invention to provide a motor vehicle starting system which can be used to effectively s-tart the vehicle engine in cold as well as warm weather.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system oE the character described, wherein two ba-tteries are provided which can be connected either in parallel for warm weather operation, or in series for cold weather operation.
~nother object of the present invention is to provide a system oE the character described, in which the two batteries are housed in a common casingt such that the system can be positioned wi-thin the available space under the hood oE a vehicle.

~nother object of the presen-t invention is to provide a systelll WhiCIl iS automatic`ally operated.

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`~SUMMARY OF 'I'IIL INVENTION
The s-tarting system of -the inven-tion includes two batteries, a relay which, in a normal non-energized position, connec-ts the two batteries in parallel to feed the engille star-ter and which, in an energized position, connects the two ba-tteries in series -to feed the engine s-tar-ter at an increased voltage during the star-ting operation. ~ switch ac-tuates this relay; this switch can be manually operated by the vehicle conductor when the engine~ails to start when the batteries are parallel con-nected. Preferably, the switch is a thermostatic switch responsive to the tempera-ture of the engine to actuate the relay below a present engine -temperature.
l~RI~F D~SCRIPTION Oli rl'll~ DR~ING
rl'l~esincJle figure is an electric diagram of the star-ting sy-tem of -the ln~7ention.
DET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF TH~ DR~WING
The circuit includes -two wet-cell batteries 10 and 12, for instance each of 12-volt output but -the second battery 12 could be of a lesser voltage. The system also includes a relay 14, which comprises an operating solenoid 16 for opera-ting in UlliSOIl first and second contact plates 18 and 20. Ti`irs-t contact plate 18 is adapted to make con-tac-t and close the circuit between a pair of terminals 22, while second contact plate 20 is adapted to close the circuit between one or the other of the pairs of -terminals 24 and 26. When solenoid 16 is not energized, contact plate 18 closes the circuit be-tween terminals 22 and contact pla-te 20 closes the circui-t between terminals 24. When the solenoid 16 is energized, the circuit between terminals 22 is open and -the circuit between lower ~2~7956 ~erminals 24 is opell, while the circui-t be-tween the upper terminals 26 is closed. Contact plate 18, with its terminals 22, form a single pole single throw~switch, while contact plate 22 and i-ts associated terminals 24, 26 form a single pole double--throw swi-tch. The negative of the first battery is connec-ted to tlle ground at 28, while i-ts positive terminal is connected by wire 30 to the terminals 22 and 26 on one side of relay 14. The negative of the second battery 12 is connected by wire 32 to terminals 24 and 26 on the other side of relay lg. The positive oE battery 12 is connected by wire 34 -to the other terminal 22 of relay 14.
The solenoid 16 is controlled by a switch 36. This switch can be a m.anually-operated push-button switch mounted on the dashboard of -the motor veilicle. Preferably, as shown in the drawing, it is a thermostatic switch which is responsive to the temperature of the manifold A of the vehicle enyine. For instance, a thermocouple 38, applied to said manifold, senses -the temperature thereof. This thermocouple closes the thermostatic switch 36 when the ~0 temperature of the manifold is, for instance, below minus 10C.
Relay 14 preferably fwrther includes a third contac-t plate 21 adapted -to interconnect a pair o~ terminals 27 when the solenoid 16 is not energized. Elemen-ts 21, 27 define an additional single pole, single-throw switch.
The conventional key-operated control switch 40 o~ the vehicle includes a contact arm 42, which, in a runnin~ position, only contacts terminal 44 to feed the accessories 46, and in the other pos.i~o~ makes contact not 0 only with terminal 44 but also with terminal 48 of -the solenoid 50 of the starter relay contac-t arm 52,.which closes the circuit ~rom -the batter:ies through wire 54 to the starter motor 56. 'l'he vehicle is also normally ~L2~i~9~

provided with an alternator or generator, indicated at 5~, to rechar~e the batteries 10,~2 in parallel tllrougl wires 60,61, relay switch portion 27, 21, wires 61,62, 63 and through wire 34, contacts 22 and wire 30. Swiich 40 is connected to battery 10 through wire 68. The accessories terminal 44 is also connected through wire 70 to the swi-tch 36 and ~elay 16.
The sys-tem operates as follows:
Whenever the engine is warm enough to start without dif-~iculty, -the relay 14 is in the normal position, shown in full line in the drawing, whereby the batteries 10, 12 are connected in parallel. The ignition switch is Eed in parallel by the two batteries and the alternator can recharc3e -the two batteries in parallel through the relay swi-tch por-tions 21, 27, and 22, 18. Whenever the engine fails to start due to the engine being exposed to too low a temperature, the thermostatic switch 36 automatically closes and, upon operating the key-operated switch 40 to the starting position, the circuit comprising terminal 44, wire 70, closed switch 36 and rélay solenoid 16 is closed, whereby the -two batteries 10 and 12 are con-nected in series to feed the s-tarter 56. However, the ac-cessories 46 are fed by only a 12-volt current from the single battery 10, because switch 40 is only connected to battery 10 Thus, damage to the accessories 46 is prevented. The accessories comprise the ignition system, the lighting system of the vehicle, -toge-ther with any other electric circuits functioning normally at 12 vol-ts. I-t is understood that the al-ternator is provided with its associated vol-tage regulator. This alternator is protected because relay switcll portion 21, 27 opens when the two batteries are series connected.

1~ 356 In cold weather, the vol-tage of each battery is much decreased, so -that series-connecting the same will not apply excessive voltage -to the starter 56. 'rhermo-s-tatic switch 36 is pre~erred, because it ensures that battery series connecting is effected only in cold weather.
It also has the advantage of automa-tic opera-tion.
The two ba-tteries 10, 12 more specifically the two groups of cells, each forming one battery, can be arranged in one ~attery casing of the same size as a conventional ba-ttery, by reducing the number of plates or thickness thereoE, so tha-t the whole system can be located within -the availahle space of any rno-tor vehicle. Obviously, the two batteries can be separate uni-ts. The relay 14 can be mounted directly on top o the battery casing.

Claims (3)

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege is sought, are defined as follows:

1. In a motor vehicle having a first wet-cell battery, a motor-operated recharging generator, a motor starter, a starter relay, an ignition system, and a key-operated switch having a starting position for operating the starter relay and the ignition system, and a running position for operating the ignition system exclusive of the starter relay, and first circuit means connecting said starter relay, ignition system and key-operated switch to said first battery, a cold weather starting system including a second wet-cell battery, second circuit means connecting said first and second batteries in parallel, and third circuit means for connecting said first and second batteries to said motor starter through said starter relay, the batteries being either in series for cold weather starting or in parallel for warm weather starting, said third circuit means including a switching relay which, in normal non-energized position, connects the first and second batteries in parallel, and which in an energized position, connects said first and second batteries in series, and a switch to energize said switching relay, series connected between the solenoid of said switching relay and said ignition system and being an automatic switch responsive to the ambient temperature and taking an open and a closed position above and below a predetermined ambient temperature.

2. In a motor vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the last-named switch is a thermostatic switch with a temperature responsive sensor exposed to the temperature existing in the manifold of the engine of said motor vehicle.

3. In a motor vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said switching relay includes a switching element connected between said generator and the positive side of said batteries and opening the circuit between said generator and said batteries when said switching relay is in its energized position,