GB2313628A

GB2313628A - Starting engines remotely or automatically

Info

Publication number: GB2313628A
Application number: GB9707105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lorington Emanuel Mich Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-09
Filing date: 1997-04-08
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-08
Also published as: GB9707105D0; GB2313628B; GB9607303D0

Abstract

The engine of a vehicle may be started remotely or automatically to warm up the engine and/or interior prior to user's entry. If the engine fails to start, a further, predetermined number of attempts may be made. If the atmospheric temperature falls to a predetermined low level, the engine may be started automatically and switched off again when a set upper temperature is reached. Various safety checks may be made e.g. gear lever position, clutch depression, low fuel level, before starting the engine and while it is running under control of the device.

Description

Relating to figure 1: The operation of the device starts with a +volt to the base of TR1 line 38 providing +volts through R31 and diode 2 to the gate of thyristor 1 line 11 which switches +12 volts to line 4 terminal 12, to heater plug timing unit and logic high, to input of iC3c and IC2b line 8 through R14. Output from timing unit, the pre-heat warning lamp or from any of supply terminals of heater plugs is fed to terminal 7 through R7 line 19 to IC3c. When this input falls due to the supply of +12 volts from timing unit switching off, output of iC3c line 15 goes high causing the output of IC3d line 16 to go high to the input of IC1b. The output of IClb, line 18, goes high, which causes IC2c's output to go low supplying switch-on voltage to the gate of TR4 line 13 throughR16 to switch +12 volts to line 6 terminal 13, to starter motor solenoid. When engine starts alternator puts out +12 volts to the battery and another to the dashboard to cancel out battery warning lamp. The voltage from the alternator is fed to terminal 8 through R6, line 20. Inputs of IC2b and IC3d which makes the output of IC3d line 16 go low and the output of IClb line 17 to go low, and the output of iC2c to go high switching TR4 off, disengaging starter motor solonoid.

To ensure that then engine does not start if the engine is in gear, two switches arranged in front and behind gear stick under the rubber housing wired in series and normally closed. The two switches are connected in front and behind the gearstick one connected to terminal 36 and the other.

to terminal 4 through R4, line 27 input of IC3a. If switch opens which represents the gear stick being moved from the neutral position, it makes the output of iC3c line 32 low, output of ICle low at line 38 and IC3b output at line 10 through R29 to be held high, holding TR2 off and withholding +12 volts to line 40, source voltage for TR3, THY1 and TR4.

To prevent engine from running on indefinitely, a thermal sensor/switch is used rated at a suitable temperature - when the switch opens a high is produced at the inputs of lC2a Ile 26 through R1B. The output cf IC2a, line 34 goes low, is fed to IClc, the output line 38 goes to IC3b to provide off voltage to the gate of TR2 line 10 switching power off from line 40, supply to THY1, TR3 and TR4. When thermal switch is closed, it correspoding to engine cold, a logic low is produced at the gate of Tor2, holding supply transistor for TR3, THY1 and TR4 on. Inputs terminal 1, 2 and 3 are used to prevent TR2 from switching on and for switching TR2 off, depending on the state of the sensors/switches. Output from ICla line 24 if low, and if line 38 from IC1c is high, causes the output of IC3b to be high, holding TR3 off, withholding +12 volts from line 40. An array of diodes can be added to any of inputs 1, 2 end 3 to expand the number of inputs as required. These inputs can be used in conjunction with other safety/security devices.

When triggered automatically by extreme cold, frost sensor 1 increases in resistence as it gets colder. One terminal is connected to line 36, the other to terminal 17, line 39, one side of VR1. Wiper goes to base of TR1 through R24, providing switch-on voltage. When thermistor rises to pre-set level, it allows +voltage to flow to the base of TR1 line 41 . Remote trigger is achieved by applying switch-on voltage to terminal 16, through R25, line 36, the base of TR1 providing trigger volts to the gate of THY1 line 11, to start the start-up sequence. IC4 is used to limit the running time of the starter motor. When solonoid is off the positive terminal is at zero potential. C1 through R34 holds line 9 low, the o out cf I24 is high. When +12 volts is applied to starter motor solonoid t R4, IC4 is triggered to start. C3 rises to positive potential, time approxi ely 4 seconds the output of LC4 line 21 goes low, causing IClc's output t go low line 38, causing IC3L's output to go high switching TR2 off for a second.

Continued on page 2.

Since frost sensor is still causing TR1 to stay on, start-up sequence is triggered.

The output of IC4 also clocks Ices. After 3 cycles of IC4, due to failure of engine to start, IC5, the output is used to latch IC5, by holding the enable high output W3 line 33 goes to the inputs of IC2d. The output goes high line 22, to input of IC3a causing the output of IC3a line 32 to go low, changing the logic state of ICle and IC3b and switching TR2 off. LED1 is used to indicate this. To unlatch IC5 +12 volts is applied through terminal 9 through R9 to the re-set of IC5 line 30. It is taken from a line from the ignition switch to the dashboard illumination. The heater fan is switched on by TR3 through terminal 11 line 5. TR3 is switched on by TRS. A +volt is taken from line 4 through R32 to the base of TR5 supplying negative volts to the gate of TR3.

Means for indicating that engine has started is achieved by THY2, TR6 providing +12 volts to line 44 terminal 14. The base of TR1 is held low holding TR1 on.

THY2 is switched on by a +12 volts from alternator's output to terminal 8, through R41 to line 42 and the gate of THY2 to latch it on and transistor may also be used insto of THY2 since the thyristor latches when DC current is passed through it.

Claims

1 A device for starting a combustion engine automatically and/or remotely comprising a circuit in which are arranged various electronic components, the means for opening a fuel line in the case of diesel and switching ignition on in the case of petrol 1) Automatically in response to a fall in atmospheric temperature in the vicinity ofthe engine housing to a pre-set low level, or 2) Remotely to trigger starting procedure of the device Starter motor is activated for a limited time responsive to attainment of output from alternator corresponding to engine running To stop the starter motor while still maintain ing power to the solenoid or ignition coils to engine to keep engine running Device responds to a rise in engine block temperature to a pre-set level to de-activate the solenoid or ignition coils thereby stopping the engine If engine stalls before pre-set high level is reached, starter motor is activated for pre-determined time The device provides several outputs to electrical lines which go to the solenoid or ignition of the engine, to an alarm unit, inputs for switches and sensors for safety and security which interfere with the starting of the engine for safety and secutity The device being designed to start the engine will make several attempts to start Number of times may be pre-selected depending on the owner's knowledge of the engine If it fails to start after pre-set number of attempts the device will latch in a 'switch off' mode The ignition key in the 'run' position will override all above safety and security switches and sensors.

2 Device according to claim 1 including means responsive to pre-set period of time for cancelling start motor if engine fails to start.

3 Device according to claims 1 and 2 if engine stalls to re-activate start motor and continue to operate according to claims 1 and 2 ifengine fails to start.

Device according to claims 1,2 and 3 to prevent engine from starting and stco engine if put in gear, if clutch is depressed if engine is hot.

3 Device according to claims 1 and 2 including means responsive to pre-set period of time for cancelling start motor if engine fails to start after a pre-set number of attempts.

4 Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3 If engine stalls to re-åctuate start motor and continue to operate according to claims 1,. 2 and 3 if engine fails to start.

5 Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 to prevent engine from starting and to stop engine if in gear If attempt is made to put engine in gear, if clutch is depressed, if engine is at 70'C or above.

6 Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 means responsive to the atmospheric tempeature under the bonnet in the vicinity of the engine, fuel pump, carburettor falling to a pre-determined low level and the means to raise engine block temperature to a pre-determined high level comprises electronic means to actuate the starter and fuel supply or ignition in its' running condition until engine block temperature reaches pre-determined level, whereby the engine switches off.

7 Device according to claims 1-6 to prevent engine from switching on if fuel is at pre-set low level.

8 Device according to claims 1-7 above is readily adaptable to inter-phase with computer-aided vehicle systems, as it is mainly logic-ccntrolled.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A device for starting a combution engine automaicaliy and/or remotely comprising a circuit in which are arranged various electronic component, the means for opening a fuel line in the case of diesel and switching on in the ase of petrol, automatically in response to a fall in atmospheric temperature in the vicinity of the engine housing to apre-set low level, or remotely to trigger starting procedure of the device by switching on starter motor to activate for a limited time responsive to attainment o output rem alternator corresponding to engine running; and stoping starter motor while still maintaining power to the solenoid or ignition coils of the engine keeping engine running to raise engine block temperature to a pre-set level to de-activate the solenoid or ignition coils thereby stops ng the engine, stalling of engine before pre-set high level is rea- cited, automatically switches on starter motor to activate for a pre-determined time said, device incluing means to respond to pre-set period of time for cancelling start motor if.engine fails to start 2 Device according to claim 1 including, means responsive to pre-set period cf time for cancelling starting sequence if engine fails to start after a pre-set number of attempts.