JP2017227180A - Starter relay protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a starter relay protection device capable of appropriately reducing damage to a starter relay.SOLUTION: A starter relay protection device 1 includes a starter 10 which includes a motor 31, a movable contact 26 capable of electrically opening/closing the communication of a fixed contact 21 and a fixed contact 22, a suction coil 24 to which a current is supplied from a starter relay 50, and a plunger 23 using a magnetic field generated by the suction coil 24 to move the movable contact 26 in the direction of closing the communication of the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22 and also move a pinion gear 39 in the direction of a ring gear 4. It further includes a variable resistor 60 arranged between a battery 5 and the starter relay 50, an operation confirmation part 81 for detecting that the start of the starter 10 begins, and determining whether a crankshaft 3 is rotated exceeding a predetermined angle or not when continuing it for a predetermined time, and a resistance control part 82 for, when the determination is made that it is not rotated exceeding the predetermined angle, increasing a resistance value of the variable resistor 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a starter relay protection device that protects a starter relay that supplies power to a starter used to start an engine.

  Conventionally, when a starter used for starting an engine is operated, supply of electric power from a battery is started using a starter relay.

  For example, as a technique for determining the deterioration of the starter itself, a technique for determining the deterioration state of the starter in consideration of the difference between the load at the time of manual engine start of the driver and the load at the time of automatic engine start is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-65440 A

  For example, there are known starters that use a current supplied via a starter relay to move the pinion gear to mesh with a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the engine, but the pinion gear and the ring gear work well. There is a possibility that non-engagement, that is, disengagement will occur.

  If disengagement occurs, the pinion gear and ring gear may be caught, causing the pinion gear not to rotate and the starter motor not to rotate. Depending on the starter configuration, such disengagement may occur. When this occurs, there is a possibility that only the current supplied from the starter relay is supplied to the motor of the starter.

  Thus, when only the current supplied from the starter relay is supplied to the motor, a large current flows through the contact of the starter relay due to an increase in load due to the motor not rotating. It becomes.

  Under such circumstances, when the starter relay contact is opened by turning off the key switch or the like, the supply of current from the starter relay to the starter is interrupted, but a large current flows. If the contact of the starter relay is opened in this state, an arc is generated due to the influence of a large current, causing damage to the contact, and possibly causing the contact to be welded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of reducing damage to a starter relay.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a starter relay protection device according to an aspect of the present invention is a starter relay protection device including a starter that starts an engine and a starter relay that supplies current to the starter. A motor that generates power for rotating a pinion gear that can mesh with a ring gear connected to an engine crankshaft, a first fixed contact connected to a battery, a second fixed contact connected to the motor, and a first fixed A movable contact that can be electrically opened and closed between the contact and the second fixed contact, one end is connected to the starter relay, the other end is connected to the motor, and current is supplied from the starter relay when starting the starter A movable contact is attached to one end of the coil, and the movable contact is moved between the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact by a magnetic field generated by the coil. A plunger that is movable in the direction to close the air and that can move the pinion gear in a direction to mesh with the ring gear, and includes a variable resistor disposed on the electric wire from the battery to the motor via the starter relay. .

  In the starter relay protection device, when the starter is continuously started for a predetermined time and the starter detecting means for detecting the start of the starter, the starter rotates the crankshaft of the engine beyond a predetermined angle. A starter operation determining means for determining whether or not the crankshaft is not rotated beyond a predetermined angle by the starter operation determining means, and a resistance control means for increasing the resistance value of the variable resistor, You may make it provide.

  In the starter relay protection device, the starter is electrically connected to the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact by the movable contact when the plunger moves the pinion gear to a position where the engagement with the ring gear is started. It does not have to be connected to.

  The starter relay protection device may further include current supply control means for stopping supply of current from the starter relay to the coil after the resistance value of the variable resistor is increased by the resistance control means.

  In the starter relay protection device, the variable resistor may be disposed between the battery and a fixed contact on the battery side of the starter relay.

  In the starter relay protection device, the variable resistor may be disposed between the battery and a fixed contact on the battery side of the starter relay.

  In the starter relay protection device, the variable resistor has a state in which a current is supplied from the starter relay to the coil, but the movable contact, the first fixed contact, and the second fixed contact are not electrically closed. When a predetermined time or more elapses, the resistance value of itself may be changed so that the current value supplied from the starter relay to the coil becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  According to the present invention, damage to the starter relay can be appropriately reduced.

It is a typical lineblock diagram showing a starter relay protection device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state just before the meshing | engagement with the pinion gear of the starter and ring gear in the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which meshing | engagement with the pinion gear of the starter and ring gear in the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was successful. It is a flowchart of the starter relay protection process in the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which increased the resistance value of the variable resistor in the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which made the starter cut relay in the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention open. It is a typical block diagram which shows the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the property of the heating resistor of the starter relay protection apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, based on an accompanying drawing, a starter relay protection device concerning one embodiment of the present invention is explained. The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a starter relay protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The starter relay protection device 1 includes an engine 2, a crankshaft 3, a ring gear 4 connected to the crankshaft 3 so as to be integrally rotatable, a battery 5 capable of supplying a direct current, a key switch 6, and a crank of the engine 2. The starter 10 for starting the engine 2 by rotating the shaft 3, the starter relay 50 for connecting / disconnecting the current for starting the starter 10, the variable resistor 60, and the connection / disconnection of the contact of the starter relay 50 are connected. A starter cut relay 70 to be controlled, an ECU (control unit) 80, and an engine rotation angle sensor 91 are provided.

  The key switch 6 is a switch that is set to on (starter on) when the starter 10 is started. For example, the key switch 6 is turned on (starter on) when the driver turns the ignition key to the start position. When the key switch 6 is turned on, the current supplied from the battery 5 is supplied to the starter relay 50. Instead of the key switch 6, a starter start switch (start switch) that is turned on when pressed by the driver may be provided.

  The starter relay 50 includes a coil 51, one end connected to one terminal of the key switch 6, and the other end connected to one fixed contact 72 of a starter cut relay 70 described later, the battery 5, and the variable resistor 60. The fixed contact 52 is connected to the S terminal 12 (described later) of the starter 10, and the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53 are arranged so as to face each other. A movable contact 54 that can be electrically opened / closed with 53 and a plunger 55 connected to one end of the movable contact 54 and disposed on the inner peripheral side of the coil 51 are provided.

  In the starter relay 50, when the contact of the starter cut relay 70 is closed, the key switch 6 is set to ON, and when the current from the battery 5 is supplied to one end side of the coil 51, Flows to generate a magnetic field that attempts to move the plunger 55 in the left direction of the drawing. As a result, when the plunger 55 is moved in the left direction, the movable contact 54 connected to the plunger 55 comes into contact with the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53, and an electrical connection is made between the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53. Connect to. As a result, the current from the battery 5 is supplied to the S terminal 12 of the starter 10 via the fixed contact 52, the movable contact 54, and the fixed contact 53.

  On the other hand, when the contact of the starter cut relay 70 is open, in the starter relay 50, even if the key switch 6 is set to ON, the current from the battery 5 is not supplied to one end side of the coil 51, and the coil 51 prevents a magnetic field from moving the plunger 55 leftward in the drawing. Thereby, the plunger 55 (not shown) is moved in the right direction, the movable contact 54 connected to the plunger 55 is separated from the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53, and the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53 are electrically connected. Disconnected. As a result, the current from the battery 5 is not supplied to the S terminal 12 of the starter 10 via the fixed contact 52, the movable contact 54, and the fixed contact 53.

  The starter cut relay 70 has one end connected to the ECU 80 and the other end connected to the battery 5, a fixed contact 72 connected to one end of the coil 51 of the starter relay 50, and a stationary fixed. The movable contact 74 is disposed so as to face the contact 73, the fixed contact 72, and the fixed contact 73, and can be electrically opened and closed between the fixed contact 72 and the fixed contact 73, and the movable contact 74 is connected to one end. And a plunger 75 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the coil 71.

  In the starter cut relay 70, when one end side of the coil 71 is grounded by the ECU 80 connected to one end side of the coil 71, the current from the battery 5 is supplied to one end side of the coil 71, and the current flows through the coil 71. A magnetic field is generated to move the plunger 75 leftward in the drawing. As a result, when the plunger 75 is moved in the left direction, the movable contact 74 connected to the plunger 75 moves away from the fixed contact 72 and the fixed contact 73 and is in an open state, that is, between the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53. The space is electrically disconnected. As a result, the fixed contact 72 is not grounded via the movable contact 74 and the fixed contact 73.

  The variable resistor 60 is disposed after the portion where the electric wire from the battery 5 branches to the fixed contact 52 side of the starter relay 50. The variable resistor 60 can change the resistance value under the control of the ECU 80. When the resistance value of the variable resistor 60 increases, the current supplied from the battery 5 to the fixed contact 52 of the starter relay 50 decreases.

  The starter 10 includes a magnet switch 20 and a rotation drive unit 30. The starter 10 includes a B terminal 11, an S terminal 12, and an M terminal 13. The B terminal 11 is connected to the battery 5 via an electric wire. The S terminal 12 is connected to the fixed contact 53 of the starter relay 50 via an electric wire. The M terminal 13 electrically connects the magnet switch 20 and the rotation drive unit 30.

  The magnet switch 20 makes an electrical connection / disconnection between the B terminal 11 and the M terminal 13 and moves the pinion gear 39. The magnet switch 20 includes a fixed contact 21 (first fixed contact) connected to the B terminal 11, a fixed contact 22 (second fixed contact) connected to the M terminal 13, a fixed contact 21 and a fixed contact 22. And a movable contact 26 that can be electrically opened and closed between the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 2, a movable contact 26 connected to one end, and a shift lever 27 described later on the other end. A plunger 23 having one end connected and movable in a predetermined direction; a suction coil 24 having one end connected to the S terminal 12 and the other end connected to the M terminal 13 and wound around the outer periphery of the plunger 23; A holding coil 25 having one end connected to the S terminal 12 and the other end grounded, and wound around the outer periphery of the plunger 23.

  The suction coil 24 is wound in a direction to generate a magnetic field that moves the plunger 23 to the left side of the drawing when a current flows from the S terminal 12 side to the M terminal 13 side. On the other hand, the holding coil 25 is wound in a direction to generate a magnetic field that moves the plunger 23 to the left side of the drawing when a current flows from the S terminal 12 side.

  According to the magnet switch 20, when a current is supplied to the S terminal 12 from the starter relay 50, a current flows through the suction coil 24 and the holding coil 25, and the magnetic field that moves the plunger 23 leftward in the drawing by the respective coils. Will occur. As a result, the plunger 23 is moved to the left side of the drawing.

  When the plunger 23 is moved to the left side, a pinion gear 39 to be described later is moved via the shift lever 27 in a direction to mesh with the ring gear 4. In addition, when the plunger 23 is moved to the leftmost side, the movable contact 26 connected to the plunger 23 comes into contact with the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22, and electrically between the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22. Connecting. As a result, the current supplied from the battery 5 to the B terminal 11 is supplied to the M terminal 13 via the fixed contact 21, the movable contact 26, and the fixed contact 22.

  The rotation drive unit 30 includes a motor 31 that outputs a rotation driving force, an output gear 37 that is connected to one end of an output shaft 36 of the motor 31 so as to be integrally rotatable, a pinion gear 39 that can mesh with the ring gear 4, and one end. A pinion shaft 38 to which a pinion gear 39 is connected so as to rotate integrally, a one-way clutch 40 capable of transmitting power in one direction from the output shaft 36 to the pinion shaft 38, one end connected to the plunger 23, and the other end to the pinion A shift lever 27 disposed opposite to the end of the shaft 38 opposite to the pinion gear 39, and a torsion spring 29 that urges the shift lever 27 to rotate clockwise are provided.

  The shift lever 27 is rotatably arranged with the intermediate portion 28 as a fulcrum. When the plunger 23 moves to the left side, the shift lever 27 rotates counterclockwise and pushes the pinion shaft 38 to the right side of the drawing, that is, the direction in which the pinion gear 39 is engaged with the ring gear 4. In the starter 10 of the present embodiment, when the plunger 23 is in a position where the movable contact 26 attached to the plunger 23 is not in contact with the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22, the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are engaged with each other. The configuration to be started is a so-called auxiliary biting configuration.

  The motor 31 is, for example, a direct current motor, and includes a field coil 32, brushes 34 and 35, an armature coil 33, and an output shaft 36. The field coil 32 has one end connected to the M terminal 13 and the other end connected to the brush 34. The armature coil 33 is attached to the output shaft 36. The armature coil 33 is electrically connected to the brush 34 and the brush 35, and current is supplied from the brush 34. One end of the brush 35 is grounded.

  In the motor 31, when current is supplied from the M terminal 13 to the field coil 32, a plurality of different magnetic poles are alternately formed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 36 by the field coil 32. Further, the current flowing through the field coil 32 flows to the armature coil 33 via the brush 34. Since the armature coil 33 is formed with a plurality of magnetic poles, the armature coil 33 rotates together with the output shaft 36 in a predetermined direction according to the relationship with the magnetic poles formed by the field coil 32.

  The one-way clutch 40 includes an inner race 41, an outer race 42 formed on the outer peripheral side of the inner race 41, and a roller 43 provided between the inner race 41 and the outer race 42.

  The inner race 41 is engaged with the outer periphery of the pinion shaft 38 on the inner peripheral side, for example, by a helical spline. With such a configuration, the pinion shaft 38 can move in a predetermined direction (the left-right direction in the drawing) and can transmit the rotational driving force from the inner race 41.

  The outer race 42 has a gear that meshes with the output gear 37 on the outer periphery. Therefore, the rotational driving force from the output gear 37 can be transmitted to the outer race 42. Known components including a roller 43 are provided between the inner race 41 and the outer race 42, and these components allow transmission of driving force in only one direction from the outer race 42 to the inner race 41. It is possible.

  The engine rotation angle sensor 91 detects the rotation angle and rotation speed of the crankshaft 3 of the engine 2 and outputs the detection result to the ECU 80. In the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp that the engagement between the pinion gear 39 of the starter 10 and the ring gear 4 has been successful and the crankshaft 3 has been rotated by the starter 10 based on the rotation angle and the rotation speed of the engine rotation angle sensor 91. it can.

  The ECU 80 is a device that performs control for protecting the starter relay 50, and includes a known CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, and the like. The ECU 80 also includes an operation confirmation unit 81 as an example of a start start detection unit and a starter operation determination unit, a resistance control unit 82 as an example of a resistance control unit, and a current supply control unit 83 as an example of a current supply control unit. And as a part of functional elements. Each of these functional elements will be described as being included in the ECU 80 which is an integral hardware, but any one of them can be provided in separate hardware.

  The operation confirmation unit 81 detects that the key switch 6 is turned on (for example, the ignition key is at the start position) (starter start start). When the starter 10 has been started for a predetermined time or more from the starter start start, the operation check unit 81 determines the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 (rotation angle from the starter start start) detected by the engine rotation angle sensor 91. It is determined whether or not a predetermined angle (for example, 0 degree) has been exceeded. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 does not exceed the predetermined angle, the operation check unit 81 does not properly rotate the crankshaft 3 and the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are disengaged. Therefore, the resistance control unit 82 is notified that the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 does not exceed the predetermined angle.

  When receiving a notification from the operation confirmation unit 81 that the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 does not exceed the predetermined angle, the resistance control unit 82 controls the resistance value of the variable resistor 60 to be increased.

  The current supply control unit 83 controls the starter cut relay 70 after the resistance value of the variable resistor 60 is increased by the resistance control unit 82, and interrupts the supply of current to the starter 10 by the starter relay 50. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the current supply control unit 83 causes the current from the battery 5 to flow through the coil 71 of the starter cut relay 70 by grounding one end of the coil 75 of the starter cut relay 70. . As a result, the contact of the starter cut relay 70 is opened, and one end of the coil 51 of the starter relay 50 is not grounded. Thereby, in the starter relay 50, no current flows through the coil 51, the contact is opened, and the supply of current from the battery 5 to the starter 10 is interrupted via the starter relay 50.

  Next, operation | movement of the starter 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state immediately before the starter meshes with the pinion gear of the starter and the ring gear in the starter protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state where the engagement between the starter pinion gear and the ring gear in the starter relay protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is successful. In FIGS. 2 and 3, wirings, coils, and the like are indicated by thicker lines as the current flowing through the portion increases.

  First, the operation from the start of the starter 10 until immediately before the engagement between the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 is started will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the key switch 6 is turned on by the driver, in the initial state, the starter cut relay 70 is in the closed state, so that the current from the battery 5 flows to the coil 51 of the starter relay 50. As a result, the plunger 55 moves to the left in the drawing under the magnetic force generated by the magnetic field of the coil 51, and the movable contact 54 closes between the fixed contact 52 and the fixed contact 53 (this state is referred to as the starter relay 50). The contact point is closed).

  When the contact of the starter relay 50 is closed, the current from the battery 5 is supplied to the S terminal 12 via the variable resistor 60, the fixed contact 52, the movable contact 54, and the fixed contact 53. Note that the resistance value of the variable resistor 60 is zero or a relatively low value in the initial state. As a result, current is supplied to one end of the suction coil 24 and one end of the holding coil 25 connected to the S terminal 12. In the suction coil 24, current flows to the M terminal 13 side, while in the holding coil 25, current flows to the ground side. As a result, a magnetic field for moving the plunger 23 to the left side of the drawing is generated by the suction coil 24 and the holding coil 25.

  As a result, the plunger 23 starts to move to the left side of the drawing. As a result, the shift lever 27 connected to the plunger 23 rotates counterclockwise about the intermediate portion 28 and pushes the pinion shaft 38 so that the pinion gear 39 approaches the ring gear 4. As a result, the pinion gear 39 reaches the position immediately before meshing with the ring gear 4. At this time, the movable contact 26 is not in contact with the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22.

  In this state, the current flowing through the suction coil 24 to the M terminal 13 flows through the field coil 32, the brush 34, the armature coil 33, and the brush 35. Thereby, the armature coil 33, the output shaft 36, and the output gear 37 of the motor 31 start rotating. In this state, if the motor 31 is rotating, the current supplied to the motor is relatively small.

  Next, an operation related to the starter 10 after reaching the position immediately before the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 mesh with each other will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, after reaching the position immediately before the pinion gear 39 meshes with the ring gear 4, the plunger 23 tries to move further leftward. As a result, the pinion gear 39 moves in the direction meshing with the ring gear 4. It will be pushed out further.

  Here, when the engagement between the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 is successfully performed, as shown in FIG. 3, the plunger 23 is moved to the leftmost position, and the movable contact 26 connected to the plunger 23 is connected to the fixed contact 21 and In contact with the fixed contact 22, the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22 are electrically connected.

  As a result, the current flowing from the B terminal 11 to the M terminal 13 is supplied to the motor 31, and no current flows from the S terminal 12 to the M terminal 13 via the suction coil 24. As a result, current from the battery 5 is supplied to the motor 31 via the B terminal 11, and the rotational driving force of the motor 31 is transmitted to the crankshaft 3 of the engine 2 via the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4. Will be started.

  On the other hand, if disengagement occurs in a state where the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are not properly meshed with each other, for example, the side surfaces of the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are caught, and the pinion gear 39 cannot be rotated. 31 cannot be rotated. For this reason, the rotational driving force of the motor 31 cannot be transmitted to the crankshaft 3 of the engine 2 and the engine 2 cannot be started.

  In this case, the load of the motor 31 rises and a large current tends to flow, but the fixed contacts 21 and 22 and the movable contact 26 are not in contact with each other as shown in FIG. Therefore, as compared with the case shown in FIG. 3, the current supplied to the S terminal 12 through the fixed contact 52, the movable contact 54, and the fixed contact 53 of the starter relay 50 becomes very large. If the key switch 6 is turned off in this state, an arc is generated between the fixed contact of the starter relay 50 and the movable contact, which may damage the contact and cause welding between the contacts. .

  The starter relay protection device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to reduce damage that occurs at the contact of the starter relay 50 by executing a starter relay protection process as described below.

  A starter relay protection process according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of starter relay protection processing by the starter relay protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the resistance value of the variable resistor in the starter relay protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is increased. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the starter cut relay in the starter relay protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is in an open state. In FIGS. 5 and 6, wirings, coils, and the like are indicated by thicker lines as the current flowing through the portion increases.

  The starter relay protection process is started after the key switch 6 is normally turned on (the ignition key is in the on position), for example.

  The operation confirmation unit 81 determines whether or not the key switch 6 is turned on (starter on), that is, whether or not the starter start is started (step S11). As a result, when the starter start is not started (step S11: NO), the operation check unit 81 executes step S11 again.

On the other hand, when the starter start is started (step S11: YES), the operation check unit 81 determines whether or not the key switch 6 is turned off (in this case, whether the ignition key is changed from the start position to the normal on position). No), that is, it is determined whether or not the starter start has been completed (step S12).

  As a result, when the starter start is finished (step S12: YES), the operation check unit 81 advances the process to step S11. On the other hand, when the starter start has not been completed (step S12: NO), the operation check unit 81 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the starter start (step S13).

  As a result, when the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the starter start (step S13: NO), the operation check unit 81 advances the process to step S12. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the starter start (step S13: YES), the operation check unit 81 detects the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 detected by the engine rotation angle sensor 91 (the rotation from the start of the starter start). It is determined whether or not (angle) exceeds a predetermined angle (step S14).

  As a result, when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 exceeds a predetermined angle (step S14: YES), the crankshaft 3 is rotated by the starter 10, and the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are not in mesh. Since it means that there is no, the operation check unit 81 advances the process to step S11.

  On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 3 does not exceed the predetermined angle (step S14: NO), there is a high possibility that the pinion gear 39 and the ring gear 4 are disengaged, and the contact of the starter relay 50 is Since there is a high possibility that a large current is flowing, the resistance control unit 82 increases the resistance value of the variable resistor 60 (step S15). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the value of the current flowing through the contact of starter relay 50 can be reduced as compared with the state shown in FIG.

  Next, the current supply control unit 83 blocks (opens) the contact of the starter cut relay 70 (step S16). Specifically, the current supply control unit 83 causes the current from the battery 5 to flow through the coil 71 of the starter cut relay 70 by grounding one end of the coil 71. As a result, the contact of the starter cut relay 70 is opened, and one end of the coil 51 of the starter relay 50 is not grounded. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, in the starter relay 50, no current flows through the coil 51, the contact is opened, and the supply of current from the battery 5 to the starter 10 is cut off via the starter relay 50. The In addition, after the process of step S16, the electric current supply control part 83 advances a process to step S11.

  As described above, according to the starter relay protection device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the start of the starter 10 is detected by the operation check unit 81 and the starter 10 is continuously started for a predetermined time. Then, it is determined whether or not the crankshaft 3 has been rotated beyond a predetermined angle, and when it is determined that the crankshaft 3 has not been rotated beyond the predetermined angle, the resistance controller 82 causes the variable resistor 60 to be rotated. Therefore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the fixed contact 52, the movable contact 54, and the fixed contact 53 of the starter relay 50 can be reduced. For this reason, after that, when the contact of the starter relay 50 is opened, the generation of arc can be reduced, and the damage of the contact and the occurrence of welding of the contact can be reduced.

  Next, a starter relay protection device according to a modification of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a starter relay protection device according to a modification of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same site | part as the starter relay protection apparatus shown in FIG.

  The starter relay protection device according to the modified example includes a heating resistor 61 as an example of a variable resistor in place of the variable resistor 60 in the starter relay protection device of the above embodiment, and includes a resistance control unit 82. It is something that is not.

  The heating resistor 61 has the property of generating heat as the flowing current value increases and increasing the resistance value.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the properties of the heating resistor of the starter relay protection device according to the modification of the present invention.

  The heating resistor 61 is supplied to the starter 10 from the starter relay 50 when it is normal, that is, when the movable contact 26 and the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22 are electrically closed. Since the generated current is relatively small, the amount of heat generation is suppressed and the resistance value of the current is relatively small, so that the supplied current value does not change much. On the other hand, when disengagement occurs, that is, when the movable contact 26 and the fixed contact 21 and the fixed contact 22 are not electrically closed, the heating resistor 61 compares the current flowing through itself. Therefore, the amount of heat generation increases and its own resistance value gradually increases. As a result, the supplied current value is greatly reduced. For example, when the current supply controller 83 cuts off the supply of current to the starter 10 by the starter relay 50 (for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the starter 10 was started). In addition, it is configured to change to a predetermined current value or less that is assumed to suppress the influence on the contact of the starter relay 50 when shut off. For example, when the disengagement occurs, the heating resistor 61 reduces the current value to about 1/10 in several seconds. When the engagement occurs, the position of the plunger 23 is maintained even for several tens of seconds. It may be configured to ensure a current value sufficient to do so.

  According to the starter relay protection device according to the modification, the ECU 80 controls the starter relay 50 before the supply of current by the starter relay 50 is interrupted when the meshing occurs without performing control for changing the resistance value. The value of the current flowing through the contact can be appropriately reduced, and damage to the contact at the time of interruption can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably and can implement.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the key switch 6 is turned on and the starter 10 is started by the driver's operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the start of the starter 10 is started by starting the supply of current to the starter 10 by the control signal, or the case where both the case of operation by the driver and the case of control by the ECU are present.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the variable resistor 60 is arranged at the portion of the electric wire from the battery 5 that branches to the fixed contact 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the fixed contact 53 and the suction It may be arranged between the coil 24 or between the suction coil 24 and the motor 31. In short, if it is arranged at an arbitrary position of the electric wire from the battery 5 to the motor 31 via the starter relay 50. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the starter cut relay 70 is connected to the side (downstream side) of the coil 51 of the starter relay 50 far from the battery 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil of the starter relay 50 is not limited thereto. You may make it arrange | position to the side (upstream side) of the battery 5 of 51.

  In the above embodiment, the starter relay 50 is a relay in which the plunger 55 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the coil 51 and the contact is opened and closed by moving the plunger 55. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil is not limited to this. Any configuration may be used as long as the supply of current to the S terminal 12 can be controlled by controlling the electrical connection between the fixed contact and the movable contact in accordance with the supplied current.

1 Starter Relay Protection Device 2 Engine 3 Crankshaft 4 Ring Gear 5 Battery 6 Key Switch 10 Starter 11 B Terminal 12 S Terminal 13 M Terminal 20 Magnet Switch 21, 22 Fixed Contact 23 Plunger 24 Suction Coil 25 Holding Coil 26 Movable Contact 27 Shift Lever 28 Intermediate part 29 Torsion spring 30 Rotation drive part 31 Motor 32 Field coil 33 Armature coil 34 Brush 35 Brush 36 Output shaft 37 Output gear 38 Pinion shaft 39 Pinion gear 40 One-way clutch 41 Inner race 42 Outer race 43 Roller 50 Starter relay 51 Coil 52 , 53 Fixed contact 54 Movable contact 55 Plunger 60 Variable resistor 61 Heating resistor 70 Starter cut relay 71 Le 72, 73 fixed contacts 74 movable contact 75 plunger 80 ECU
81 Operation Confirming Unit 82 Resistance Control Unit 83 Current Supply Control Unit 91 Engine Rotation Angle Sensor

Claims (6)

A starter relay protection device comprising a starter for starting an engine and a starter relay for supplying current to the starter,
The starter is
A motor for generating power for rotating a pinion gear meshable with a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the engine;
A first fixed contact connected to the battery;
A second fixed contact connected to the motor;
A movable contact that can be electrically opened and closed between the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact;
A coil having one end connected to the starter relay, the other end connected to the motor, and a current supplied from the starter relay when starting the starter;
The movable contact is attached to one end, and the movable contact can be moved in a direction to electrically close between the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact by a magnetic field generated by the coil, and the pinion gear is A plunger movable in a direction to mesh with the ring gear,
A starter relay protection device comprising a variable resistor disposed on an electric wire extending from the battery to the motor via the starter relay. Start-start detecting means for detecting the start of the starter;
Starter operation determination means for determining whether or not the crankshaft of the engine has been rotated beyond a predetermined angle by the starter when the starter is continuously started for a predetermined time;
2. The resistance control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a resistance control unit configured to increase a resistance value of the variable resistor when it is determined by the starter operation determination unit that the crankshaft is not rotated beyond a predetermined angle. Starter relay protection device. The starter is
In a state where the plunger moves the pinion gear to a position where the engagement with the ring gear is started, the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are electrically connected by the movable contact. The starter relay protection device according to claim 2 which is not present. 4. The starter according to claim 2, further comprising a current supply control unit that stops supply of current from the starter relay to the coil after the resistance value of the variable resistor is increased by the resistance control unit. 5. Relay protection device. The starter relay protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the variable resistor is disposed between the battery and a fixed contact on the battery side of the starter relay. The variable resistor is supplied with current from the starter relay to the coil, but the movable contact, the first fixed contact, and the second fixed contact are not electrically closed for a predetermined time or more. 2. The starter relay protection device according to claim 1, wherein when the current value elapses, the resistance value of the starter relay changes such that a current value supplied from the starter relay to the coil becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

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