DE102009047050A1 - Method for operating system, particularly starting system for internal combustion engine of motor vehicle, involves controlling actuator in retaining phase with holding current - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves controlling the actuator in a retaining phase (31) with a holding current (35), and controlling the actuator corresponding to the operating condition of the system. The actuator in the pull-in phase (30) is controlled with a pull-in current (34). The standard operating condition of the actuator in the retaining phase is controlled with a holding current. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a controller for a system, particularly a starting system for an internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle; and (2) a computer program product for operating a system.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a method for operating a system, in particular a starting system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical energy source and an actuator, in particular a relay, with a coil and a movable element, in particular an armature, wherein the actuator in a pull-in phase is driven with a pull-in current to move the movable member to a target position, and the actuator is driven in a holding phase with a holding current to hold the movable member with at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position. The invention further relates to such a system, to a controller for such a system and to a computer program product.

It is known to form an actuator with a coil, namely a magnetic coil with an electrical winding, and a movable element, in particular an armature, and to actuate the actuator via a control of the coil. For actuation, the coil is supplied with a current from an electrical energy source to generate a magnetic force in the coil, resulting in a mechanical movement of the movable member. With the mechanical movement of the movable element, a desired reaction is then achieved, for example a pulling or pushing movement or a switching operation, in particular a closing or opening of a contact realized.

Further, it is known to distinguish a tightening and a holding phase in the operation of the actuator, wherein during the tightening phase, the movable member is moved from an initial position to a target position and during the holding phase, the movable member having at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position is held. To energize the movable member, the coil is energized with a pull-in current, and for holding the movable member at the target position, the coil is energized with a holding current, in particular to hold the movable member against a restoring force at the target position.

The DE 10 2005 021 227 A1 describes a starting system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with a controller and a starter relay, wherein the starter relay is controlled with the controller in two stages, each with a suit phase and a holding phase. In a first stage, an anchor is advanced to a first position during a first tightening phase and held there in a first holding phase. Subsequently, in a second stage, the armature is advanced further during a second tightening phase to a second position for closing a contact and held there in a second holding phase.

It is an object of the invention, a system, a control system for the system, a method for operating the system and a computer program product of the type mentioned in such a way that a design and dimensioning of the system is improved.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention the object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1, 7, 8 and 9. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

It is an idea of the invention that a drive of an actuator is varied depending on an operating state of the system.

It is a further concept of the invention that a controller is designed with a device for determining an operating state and with a drive device for the actuator, wherein the drive of the actuator is variable depending on the operating state, in particular after a previously or subsequently described Method.

The object is also achieved by a system that is designed for operation according to a method described above or below, in particular with the controller.

One advantage of the invention is that the activation of the actuator can be adapted to the operating state of the system. Conventionally, a dimensioning and design of the actuator, in particular the coil and / or the armature required, which are suitable for predetermined operating conditions. In this case, the system, in particular the actuator, must be dimensioned and designed so that the desired movement of the movable element is ensured in the operating phase in the operating phase and the holding force in the holding phase is at least sufficient to the movable element, in particular against the restoring force to hold at the target position. In contrast, the invention offers the advantage that by varying the drive the desired movement of the movable element in the tightening phase and the holding in the holding phase can be ensured even for an enlarged operating range. Incidentally, the actuator, in particular the coil and / or the movable element, in its design and dimensioning over the prior art also optimized. Furthermore, the system, the controller and / or the control device with respect to design and dimensioning, in particular a circuit complexity of the same, over the prior art also be optimized.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive for the holding phase is varied, so that the actuator is controlled differently in the holding phase. In the holding phase, the movable element is to be held at the target position in order to ensure a desired mechanical actuation, for example a switching operation, with the actuator. The holding phase can be of a significantly longer period of time than the tightening phase, so that in the holding phase more or even stronger influences can affect the system, which in particular influence the operating state. Furthermore, it is preferred that the activation is varied only in the holding phase, that is to say preferably not in the starting phase, so that varying the activation can be realized in a simplified manner.

The operating state can be determined on the basis of at least one operating parameter, in particular a temperature, an electrical voltage, an electrical current and / or an electrical resistance of the system, in particular the coil, the electrical energy source and / or a supply line, in particular by measuring and evaluate. This allows the operating status to be determined simply, cost-effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, unforeseen and / or extended operating states can be accurately detected by an operating parameter, in particular if they are due to external and / or difficult or inaccurately describable influences on the system, for example an ambient temperature.

The operating parameter may include, for example, an electrical voltage applied to the coil, an electrical current through which the coil flows, an electrical resistance of the coil, an electrical resistance of the power source, and / or an electrical resistance of the supply line between the power source and the coil be. The operating parameter "electrical voltage" can be defined by a, in particular changeable, output voltage of the energy source. The output voltage may be variable, for example, as a function of a load, a temperature, an aging and / or an internal resistance of the energy source. Furthermore, the operating parameter "electrical resistance of the coil" can be variable, for example, as a function of a temperature of the coil, wherein the temperature of the coil is influenced by the ambient temperature or by an electrical load or an electrical power loss in the coil. The operating parameter "electrical resistance of the supply line", as well as the electrical resistance of the coil, for example, be variable by a temperature. These operating parameters are advantageous for determining the operating state, since they can be measured easily, for example using commercially available sensors. Incidentally, the current through the coil of the actuator is directly dependent on these operating parameters in each case, wherein the current significantly affects the magnetic force, including the holding force.

At least one standard operating state and one border region operating state can be distinguished, wherein the border region operating state designates an operating state in which at least one operating parameter exceeds or falls below a specific limit value, so that the limit operating state is defined as a function of the operating parameter. The limit range operating state preferably designates an operating state in which the limit-value operating parameter is in an operative relationship with the magnetic force of the coil, in particular the holding force. In particular, the electrical voltage, the electrical resistance of the coil and / or the electrical resistance of the supply line can change, that is also be such an operating value exceeding the limit value.

It is preferred that the actuator in the hold phase is reduced in the standard operating state as a standard drive, and in the limit operating state is amplified in relation to the standard drive as limit drive. Thus, an undesirable influence, which reduces the holding force in the boundary-region operating state, can be compensated for, without the actuator being actuated oversized in the standard operating state or being oversized. Controlling increased or reduced means that the activation is varied in such a way that an influence which would not insignificantly reduce or increase the magnetic force of the coil with unchanged activation is counteracted. In particular, the gain or reduction of the drive is designed such that the holding force in the limit range operating state is indeed not applied by the limit control but not by the standard control. As a result, the system, in particular the actuator, can be further optimized with respect to the state of the art in terms of design and dimensioning.

According to the prior art, a dimensioning and design of the actuator, in particular the coil, for a whole range of operating conditions is required. Since the magnetic force, in particular the holding force for holding the movable member at the target position to be ensured, conventionally, over-dimensioning for the standard operating condition is realized, or conventionally, the boundary-band operating condition is avoided. As a result of said varying of the control, the system, the control, that is to say in particular the control and / or a drive circuit, and / or the actuator can be designed without this overdimensioning, that is, in particular with respect to the magnetic force, in design and dimensioning over the previous state technology. In addition or as an alternative, the system, in particular the actuator, can be operated in an enlarged operating range, in particular also in the limit operating mode, while also ensuring a sufficient magnetic force.

Incidentally, the control can be varied by, for example, a voltage, an internal resistance of the supply line or the voltage source and / or a number of windings, ie in particular also of turns, the coil can be changed. This makes it possible to influence the current through the coil and thus its magnetic force. Increased or reduced driven does not necessarily mean that the coil is operated with a stronger or weaker electrical power, in particular a higher or lower current. For example, the coil can be energized to a greater extent by applying a higher voltage to the coil for a substantially constant current in order to compensate for the influence of a higher internal resistance of the coil due to a temperature increase in the boundary-region operating state compared to the standard operating state to maintain the holding force substantially unchanged.

However, it is preferred that in the standard operating state, the actuator is driven in the holding phase with a holding current which is lower than the starting current. Thus, when the actuator is actuated, an electrical leakage line, in particular of the coil and / or the control device, can be reduced and, in particular, a heating of the actuator can be reduced. As a result, the design and dimensioning of the actuator and / or the drive device can be further optimized. Incidentally, by increasing the starting current against the holding current, the magnetic force of the coil can be increased to more reliably move a mass, at least that of the movable element, to the target position against the restoring force. At the target position, only the holding force must be applied and no longer the force to move the mass, so that there the magnetic force, so the holding current can be reduced.

Incidentally, it is preferable that the actuator is driven in the boundary-region operating state with a higher holding current than in the standard operating state. In the limit range operating state, the magnetic force of the coil, as explained above, would be reduced due to an operating parameter with unchanged activation. Due to the higher holding current, the holding force for safe operation of the actuator can be additionally increased and also, as a precaution, a power reserve can be achieved against a further increasing reduction of the holding force in the boundary-region operating state.

Furthermore, it is preferred that in the limit operating state of the actuator in the holding phase is controlled with a holding current, which substantially corresponds to the starting current. The pull-in current both overcomes the restoring force and at least accelerates the mass of the movable element. In the holding phase, the movable element essentially does not have to be accelerated any more, so that the retaining current can be increased by the holding current corresponding to the starting current. This improves the operational safety of the actuator.

For a low circuit complexity and / or to easily realize the control, the coil can be subjected to a constant current for generating a substantially constant magnetic force. Furthermore, the coil can be subjected to a defined current shape, that is to say with a specific time profile of the current intensity, in particular in order to control the movement of the movable element and / or the holding force in a targeted manner. Incidentally, the starting current and / or the holding current, in particular independently of one another, can each be realized as a constant current and / or with a defined current form.

According to a preferred embodiment, the coil is designed as a double coil, in particular with a pull-in winding and with a holding winding. Thus, the control of the actuator can be particularly easily varied, for example, only the attraction winding, only the holding winding or the tightening and the holding winding are driven simultaneously. Incidentally, the number of windings, in particular a number of turns, and / or an internal resistance of the coil can be varied so as to vary the control.

It is preferred that during the holding phase in the standard operating state, only the holding winding and in the boundary-region operating state, the holding winding and the attraction winding are energized with the holding current. This will reduced in the standard operating state of the actuator controlled, namely only the holding winding, and increasingly driven in the limit operating mode, namely the holding and attraction winding. Thus, in the limit operating state, the magnetic force, in particular the holding force, can be increased with little effort, by energizing the two windings mentioned. Furthermore, the actuation of the actuator can be varied particularly easily, namely merely by switching the windings to be energized. Incidentally, the drive device can then be designed with low component expenditure, and in particular no current shaping must be realized. The advantages of an optimized design and dimensioning of the system, the actuator and / or the controller, in particular the drive device, are therefore also achieved.

The object is also achieved by a computer program product loadable in a program memory with program instructions of a microcomputer to perform all the steps of a previously or subsequently described method, in particular when the computer program product is executed in the controller. In this case, the microcomputer is preferably part of the controller, wherein the controller, in particular in a plurality of control devices of the controller or the system, also a plurality of microcomputers and memory, such as a plurality of computer program products or distributed to the plurality of control devices realized computer program product may have , The computer program product requires little or no additional components in the controller and may preferably be implemented as a module in an already existing controller. The computer program product has the further advantage that it is easier and more customizable to specific customer needs, and an improvement or optimization of individual process steps with little effort are possible cost.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 a start system,

2 a method for operating the starting system and

3a . 3b . 3c schematically different controls.

Embodiments of the invention

The 1 shows a start system 1 for an internal combustion engine 2 a motor vehicle, not shown, wherein the starting system 1 a battery 5 , a starter relay 3 , a starter motor 4 and a controller 6 includes. The start system 1 is designed as a start-stop system to the internal combustion engine 2 in particular, in the case of a short stop of the motor vehicle, for example at a red traffic light, switch off and turn it on again for further travel of the motor vehicle, for example to reduce fuel consumption.

The starter relay 3 is considered an actuator with a coil 17 holding a holding winding 14 and a suit winding 15 includes, and with an anchor 16 designed as a movable element. The anchor 16 can in one in the 3a . 3b . 3c shown suit phase 30 from a resting position 32 in non-energized state of the coil 17 with a starting current 34 to a target position 33 be moved, the anchor 16 mechanically on a coupling device 10 with a pinion 13 the starter motor 4 and a sprocket 12 the internal combustion engine 2 acts. This is due to the movement of the anchor 16 the pinion 13 in the sprocket 12 and at the latest when reaching the target position 33 of the anchor 16 create a secure coupling. In addition, the starter relay 3 with a further actuator function, namely as a switching relay with an electrical contact 18 , designed to be the starter motor 4 from the battery 5 to energize. This is the electrical contact 18 also through the anchor 16 operated, at the target position 33 closed.

The control 6 is with a microcomputer 7 and a memory 8th in which a computer program product with program instructions for the microcomputer 7 is loaded to perform the above and following steps. Further, the controller 6 for controlling the starter relay 3 trained, in such a way that the starter relay 3 in the suit phase 30 with the starting current 34 is driven to the anchor 16 to the target position 33 to move, and that the starter relay 3 in one in the 3a . 3b . 3c shown holding phase 31 with a holding current 35 is driven to the anchor 16 with at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position 33 to hold so during the holding phase 31 in particular the electrical contact 18 closed and the mechanical coupling of the starter motor 4 and the internal combustion engine 2 by means of the coupling device 10 is ensured.

Furthermore, the controller includes 6 a measuring device 9 for detecting two operating parameters of the starting system 1 , namely a temperature of the starter relay 3 , in particular a temperature of the coil 17 , and a condition of the battery 5 , in particular a battery voltage. Alternatively or additionally, according to a preferred embodiment, the measuring device 9 also for detecting a current through the holding winding 14 and / or the suit winding 15 trained .... So it's through the microcomputer 7 , the memory 8th and the measuring device 9 a device for determining the operating state of the starting system 1 realized to the starter relay 3 with a drive device 11 , For example, with semiconductor switches, depending on the operating state variably to control, by means of a computer program product.

Besides, the controller is 6 with an interface 19 formed over the further operating parameters, in particular of other control devices of the motor vehicle, are detected. Further, over the interface 19 Signals or commands for starting or stopping the internal combustion engine 2 transferred, for example, when operating an ignition switch or a start-stop control of the motor vehicle.

The 2 shows a method for operating the starting system 1 according to the 1 Alternatively, a step S1 can also be executed after a step S2 and / or overlapping in time with the step S2 and / or a step S3.

In step S1, the operating state of the starting system 1 by measuring and evaluating the temperature of the starter relay 3 and the battery voltage of the battery 5 determined, wherein alternatively also only one or more, in particular other operating parameters, such as an electrical resistance of the battery 5 or a supply line or a current through the holding winding 14 and / or the suit winding 15 , measured and evaluated. Alternatively, the operating parameter temperature of the starter relay and / or temperature of the coil 17 instead of a direct measurement from other system parameters can be calculated or determined. In the evaluation, a standard operating state is determined if all operating parameters are in a certain range of values, otherwise, if at least one operating parameter exceeds or falls below a certain threshold, a limit operating state is determined.

In step S2, the starter relay 3 with a starting current 34 energized, essentially by the battery voltage, an internal resistance of the battery 5 , Line resistance and an internal resistance of the coil is determined. The energization of the suit winding 15 and / or the holding winding 14 can be done depending on the coil sizing, so that the pull winding 15 alone or the suit winding 15 and the holding winding 14 along with the pull-in current 34 are energized. The step S2 thus corresponds to the suit phase 30 of the starter relay 3 in which the anchor 16 due to the pull-in current 34 with a magnetic force of the coil 17 to the target position 33 is moved. In this embodiment, the controller 6 for the largest possible magnetic force of the coil 17 both the suit winding 15 as well as the holding winding 14 with the starting current 34 energized to the anchor 16 safely to the target position 33 to move, so the starter relay 3 to switch and the starter motor 4 with the internal combustion engine 2 to pair.

In step S3, the starter relay 3 from the controller 6 with a holding current 35 driven, in the holding phase 31 that after a defined time, namely when the anchor 16 sure the target position 33 has reached the suit phase 34 follows. Otherwise, the drive can be varied as a function of the operating state determined in step S1, with only the holding winding in the standard operating state 14 and in the boundary region operating state, both the holding winding 14 as well as the suit winding 15 with the holding current 35 be energized. Thus, in the standard operating state, an electrical power consumption of the coil 17 and thus reduce their heat loss by a reduced drive, but it is ensured that the holding force is not exceeded.

In the limit operating mode, the holding current would 35 , So also reduce the magnetic force for the holding force, for example by a line resistance or internal resistance of the coil by a temperature increase 17 or by the battery voltage due to a low temperature, a state of charge or an aging process of the battery 5 is reduced. As a result, the magnetic force could no longer be enough to anchor 16 at the target position 33 to hold, so that this again in the rest position 32 would fall behind. To counteract this will be the starter relay 3 increasingly activated in the limit operating mode, in that both windings, namely the tightening 15 and the holding winding 14 , with the holding current 35 be energized so that the magnetic force increases by a larger number of windings, including turns, with the holding current 35 be energized and the entire energization 5 the coil 17 increases. As mentioned above, also becomes a current of the holding winding 14 and / or the suit winding 15 measured and depending on the Electricity be amplified accordingly or weaker controlled. In the limit operating state, for example, it is possible to counteract a disturbing influence on the magnetic force by varying the activation. In this way, in the limit operating state, despite a limit-exceeding operating parameter, a sufficient magnetic force is achieved, which is the armature 16 , as required, at the target position 33 holds securely. Incidentally, alternatively or additionally, the voltage during the current supply, for example with a DC / DC converter, could be increased.

The 3a . 3b . 3c schematically show different controls, wherein in each case over a time axis t a movement position s of the armature 16 and an energization I of the coil 17 namely, the pull-in current 34 in the suit phase 30 and the holding current 35 the holding phase 31 , are applied. The suit phase 30 follows in each case the holding phase 31 , where the starter relay 3 outside of these phases 30 . 31 is off.

The 3a shows a standard control in the standard operating state. In the suit phase 30 become the holding winding 14 and the suit winding 15 energized, namely by the starter relay 3 with the battery voltage of the battery 5 through the controller 6 is charged. This results in a substantially constant starting current 34 a, by operating parameters, in particular by the battery voltage and internal resistance of the coil 17 , the supply line and the battery 5 , is determined. The actual current flow decreases, especially due to an inductance of the coil 17 , a certain time course, in the 3a . 3b . 3c is shown simplified in each case by sloping. In the holding phase 31 becomes the suit winding 15 switched off, so the starter relay 3 reduced driven, and only the holding winding 14 the coil 17 with the holding current 35 energized, namely by the starter relay 3 , as well as in the suit phase 30 , with the battery voltage of the battery 5 through the controller 6 with a substantially constant holding current 35 is controlled. Because in the hold phase 31 only the holding winding 14 and not the suit winding 15 is energized, reduces the total current I of the coil 17 , but it is ensured that the holding force is not exceeded. Accordingly, the anchor becomes 16 in the suit phase 30 from the resting position 32 to the target position 33 moved and during the holding phase 31 held there with the holding force. After the holding phase 31 becomes the holding current 35 switched off so that the current I of the coil 17 , as explained above, with a time course drops to 0 A. Due to the sinking current I, the holding force of the armature 16 falls below, so that he due to a restoring spring force, in particular due to a spring in the starter relay 3 , in the resting position 32 is moved.

The 3b shows the standard control according to the 3a but in the limit operating condition, as well as a resulting movement of the armature 16 , In the limit operating condition has an operating parameter of the starting system 1 For example, the battery voltage, the resistance of the coil 17 and / or the line resistance of a supply line, a certain limit below or exceeded, so that the holding current 35 So also the magnetic force of the coil 17 , is significantly weakened. Consequently, the holding force can not be applied, so that the anchor 16 already in the holding phase 31 at a time t ₁ in the target position 33 in the resting position 32 falls off. This unwanted movement of the anchor 16 can be effectively prevented by a Grenzbereichsansteuerung described below to the starter relay 3 in an extended operating state range, in particular in the limit operating state, to operate reliably.

According to the 3c becomes the starter relay 3 operated with the Grenzbereichsansteuerung in the limit range operating state, wherein in the holding phase 31 each the suit winding 15 and the holding winding 14 with the holding current 35 be energized, so the coil 17 is increasingly controlled. As a result, the entire current I of the coil 17 so that increases the holding current 35 essentially equal to the starting current 34 is and because of the resulting increased magnetic force of the armature 16 especially during the entire holding phase 31 , reliable at the target position 33 is held.

Another, not shown embodiment differs from the aforementioned in that the coil 17 is designed as a single coil, ie with only one winding. The coil can do this 17 For example, by means of resistors, in particular switchable series resistors, and / or are variably controlled by a variable voltage. In particular, the single coil with a current I according to the 3 depending on an operating state.

Further, not shown embodiments differ from the aforementioned by the fact that the starting system 1 is not designed for a start-stop operation.

Further, not shown embodiments differ from the aforementioned by the fact that the actuator is not part of the switching relay 3 , in particular not part of the starting system 1 is, but for example, designed as a commercially available switching relay. Such Actuators and / or switching relays can be implemented, for example, in a motor control, a brake control or a transmission control, in particular also only for switching an electrical contact or only for the mechanical actuation of a further device.

Incidentally, other embodiments, not shown, differ from those shown above in that the energization I of the coil, in particular the attraction current 34 and / or the holding current 35 , is realized with an electrical control for a defined current shape, wherein the current I is driven with a certain time profile. This allows you to control the magnetic force in a targeted and direct manner. All figures show only schematic not to scale representations. Moreover, reference is made in particular to the drawings for the invention as essential.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• DE 102005021227 A1 [0004]

Claims (9)

Method for operating a system ( 1 ), in particular a starting system ( 1 ) for an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) of a motor vehicle, with an electrical energy source ( 5 ) and an actuator ( 3 ), in particular a relay ( 3 ), with a coil ( 17 ) and a movable element ( 16 ), in particular an anchor ( 16 ), in which the actuator ( 3 ) in a suit phase ( 30 ) with a starting current ( 34 ) is moved to the movable element ( 16 ) to a target position ( 33 ), and the actuator ( 3 ) in a holding phase ( 31 ) with a holding current ( 35 ) is moved to the movable element ( 16 ) having at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position ( 33 ), characterized in that the activation of the actuator ( 3 ) depending on an operating state of the system ( 1 ) is varied. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating state based on at least one operating parameter, in particular a temperature, an electrical voltage, an electrical current and / or an electrical resistance of the system ( 1 ), in particular the coil ( 17 ) and / or the electrical energy source ( 5 ), in particular by measuring and evaluating. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control, in particular only, in the holding phase ( 31 ), in particular by the actuator ( 3 ) in the holding phase ( 31 ) is reduced in the standard operating state as a standard control and in the boundary-region operating state is amplified compared to the standard control is driven as Grenzbereichsansteuerung. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the standard operating state of the actuator ( 3 ) in the holding phase ( 31 ) with a holding current ( 35 ), which is lower than the starting current ( 34 ). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the boundary-region operating state of the actuator ( 3 ) in the holding phase ( 31 ) with a holding current ( 35 ), which essentially corresponds to the starting current ( 34 ) corresponds. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coil ( 17 ) with a suit winding ( 15 ) and with a holding winding ( 14 ) and that during the holding phase ( 31 ) in the standard operating state, only the holding winding ( 14 ) and in the limit operating state, the holding winding ( 14 ) and the suit winding ( 15 ) are energized. Control ( 6 ) for a system ( 1 ), in particular a starting system ( 1 ) for an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) of a motor vehicle, with an electrical energy source ( 5 ) and an actuator ( 3 ), in particular a relay ( 3 ), with a coil ( 17 ) and a movable element ( 16 ), in particular an anchor ( 16 ), whereas in the system ( 1 ) the actuator ( 3 ) in a suit phase ( 30 ) with a starting current ( 34 ) is controllable to the movable element ( 16 ) to a target position ( 33 ), and the actuator ( 3 ) in a holding phase ( 31 ) with a holding current ( 35 ) is controllable to the movable element ( 16 ) having at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position ( 33 ), characterized in that the controller ( 6 ) with a device for determining an operating state and with a drive device ( 11 ) for the actuator ( 3 ), wherein the activation of the actuator ( 3 ) is variable as a function of the operating state, in particular according to a method of claims 1 to 7. System ( 1 ), in particular a starting system ( 1 ) for an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) of a motor vehicle, with an electrical energy source ( 5 ) and an actuator ( 3 ), in particular a relay ( 3 ), with a coil ( 17 ) and a movable element ( 16 ), in particular an anchor ( 16 ), in which the actuator ( 3 ) in a suit phase ( 30 ) with a starting current ( 34 ) is controllable to the movable element ( 16 ) to a target position ( 33 ), and the actuator ( 3 ) in a holding phase ( 31 ) with a holding current ( 35 ) is controllable to the movable element ( 16 ) having at least a certain holding force substantially at the target position ( 33 ), characterized in that the system ( 1 ) for operating according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, in particular with a controller ( 6 ) according to claim 7, is formed. Computer program product stored in a program memory with program instructions of a microcomputer ( 7 ) in order to carry out all the steps of a method according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, in particular if the computer program product is used in a controller ( 6 ) according to claim 7 and / or a system ( 1 ) is carried out according to claim 8.

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