JP4457485B2 - Three-position engine starter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an engine starter for an engine that is started by being rotationally driven like an internal combustion engine in an automobile or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Engine starting devices such as those described above are well known and are widely used for engines such as automobiles. Such an engine starter generally includes a starter motor and a pinion that is rotationally driven by the starter motor, and the battery is connected to the starter motor in a state where the pinion is meshed with a gear connected to the rotation shaft of the engine. By supplying more current, the engine is rotationally driven to start it.
[0003]
The pinion of such an engine starter is engaged with a gear connected to the engine rotation shaft only when the engine rotation shaft is driven to start the engine, and must be disengaged quickly from the engagement with the gear when the engine is started. In addition, this type of engine rotation shaft is supported with some play in the axial direction to cope with thermal expansion due to temperature changes, and in particular, engines such as automobiles are generally piston type engines. During the operation, not only the entire engine vibrates violently, but also a bending stress that repeatedly reverses acts on the crankshaft, which is the rotating shaft. Of the engine rotation shaft side gear that is provided along the periphery of the wheel and meshes with the pinion of the engine starter Since this part vibrates over a considerable amplitude as the engine rotates, the engine starter pinion is not only disengaged from the meshing with the engine rotation shaft side gear after the engine starts, It must be retracted far enough away so as not to interfere with axial play and vibration.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional automobile, the engine is started by the engine starting device only at the initial start when the automobile is normally started. The driver turns the key switch to operate the starter. Then, there was no particular problem with regard to the speed with which the pinion of the engine starter meshes with the engine rotation shaft side gear. However, in the fuel resource saving / environmental conservation type automobiles that are becoming increasingly popular in recent years in response to the conservation of fuel resources and environmental conservation, the engine may be temporarily stopped when the vehicle is paused due to traffic lights or traffic jams. In addition, in a hybrid type vehicle in which a vehicle is driven by a motor instead of an engine at any time according to the driving situation of the vehicle, the engine is stopped at any time during the driving of the vehicle. Or when shifting from motor drive to engine drive, the engine must be restarted as soon as possible. At this time, if the pinion of the engine starter is in a state of being retracted far away from the engine rotation shaft side gear as in the conventional starter, the quickness in restarting the engine is reduced accordingly.
[0005]
The present invention has the above-mentioned problems in applying the conventional engine starter as it is when the quick start of the engine is important, such as a new fuel resource saving / environmental conservation type or hybrid type engine. In view of this, it is an object to provide an engine starter improved in this regard.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a starter motor and a pinion that is rotationally driven by the starter motor, and the starter is engaged with a gear that is connected to a rotation shaft of an engine. An engine starter configured to start the engine by rotating and driving the engine when electric current is supplied from the power storage device, and a first position where the position of the pinion with respect to the gear is sufficiently separated from the gear A pinion position setting means for stably setting the position, the second position close to the gear but not yet engaged with the gear, and the third position engaged with the gear. A characteristic engine starter is proposed.
[0007]
In the engine starting device as described above, the pinion position setting means includes: an armature integrally connected to the pinion; and a connection body of the pinion and the armature, wherein the pinion is in the first position from the third position. Elastic biasing means that biases the armature toward the head, a solenoid that electromagnetically drives the armature so that the pinion moves from the first position to the third position, and a controlled current supplied to the solenoid And the pinion has the second position by a balance between an elastic biasing force of the elastic biasing unit and an electromagnetic driving force generated by the solenoid in accordance with control of a current supplied to the solenoid. Each of the third positions may be set stably.
[0008]
In this case, the current supply to the solenoid that sets the pinion to the second position may be performed by a current pulse with a controlled duty ratio.
[0009]
Alternatively, the pinion position setting means includes a first solenoid that is energized when the starter motor is energized and a second solenoid that is energized during rotation after the engine is started. The third and first positions are set by the electromagnetic forces generated by the first and second solenoids, respectively, and the pinion position setting means is configured so that both the first and second solenoids are used. There may be an intermediate position setting means for setting the pinion to the second position when no electromagnetic force is generated.
[0010]
Further, in this case, the pinion position setting means may include means for energizing the first solenoid in a direction opposite to the energization when the starter motor is energized.
[0011]
Further, the intermediate position setting means may be a means using a magnetic attraction force by a permanent magnet or a means using an elastic force by a spring.
[0012]
[Action and effect of the invention]
As described above, the pinion of the engine starting device not only takes the isolation position and the meshing position with respect to the gear connected to the engine rotation shaft as usual, but the pinion is in the middle and close to the gear. By being configured so as to be able to stably take a position that does not yet mesh with this, it is based on the vibration of the entire engine, the axial rotation movement of the engine rotation shaft (crankshaft) and the bending vibration generated during engine operation. In response to irregular gear displacement, the pinion must be fully retracted at all times, and then the pinion can be meshed more quickly with the gear during automatic start after the engine is automatically stopped while the vehicle is running. Can be done.
[0013]
In this case, the pinion position setting means biases the armature integrally connected to the pinion, and the elastic force biasing means for biasing the connection body of the pinion and the armature from the third position to the first position. And a solenoid that electromagnetically drives the armature so that the pinion moves from the first position to the third position, and means for supplying a controlled current to the solenoid, the pinion being supplied to the solenoid According to the control of the current, the second position and the third position are stably set by balancing the elastic biasing force of the elastic biasing means and the electromagnetic driving force generated by the solenoid. If so, a solenoid / armature that drives the pinion from the first position that is the retracted position to the third position that is the meshing operation position, and its current control means As used simply can be achieved only by the second position of the pinion to add a control mode of the current control means software manner.
[0014]
In particular, if the current supply to the solenoid that sets the pinion to the second position is performed by a current pulse whose duty ratio is controlled, the duty ratio of the current pulse is adjusted while checking the pinion position with an arbitrary sensor. Accordingly, the setting of the pinion to the second position is easily and reliably performed.
[0015]
Alternatively, the pinion position setting means includes a first solenoid that is energized when the starter motor is energized and a second solenoid that is energized during rotation after the engine is started. The second and second solenoids are set to the third and first positions, respectively, and the pinion position setting means is configured so that both the first and second solenoids are electromagnetic. If the pinion has intermediate position setting means for setting the pinion to the second position when no force is generated, the pinion is a device in which neither the first solenoid nor the second solenoid is energized. In this resting state, without being required any energy, the state is always close to the gear and waits for meshing to start the engine.
[0016]
In addition, when the pinion position setting means energizes the second solenoid, the first solenoid includes means for energizing in the opposite direction to the energization when the starter motor is energized. When the pinion is moved from the third position to the first position by the magnetic attraction force by energizing the second solenoid, the pinion is simultaneously moved by the magnetic repulsion force by the reverse energization of the first solenoid. The pinion can be moved from the position to the first position, and the pinion can be moved more quickly from the meshing position to the retracted position.
[0017]
As described above, the means for setting the pinion to the return position is a means that operates when the engine is not in operation. Therefore, by using a means that exerts a self-acting operating force such as a permanent magnet or a spring, the engine is operated. It can be operated stably without the need to supply energy based on.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the engine starter according to the present invention in a semi-resolved manner in three operating states that it can stably take. In these drawings, 10 is a starter motor, 12 is a pinion that is rotationally driven by the starter motor, and 14 is a peripheral portion of a flywheel connected to a rotating shaft of an engine (not shown). It is a formed gear. The pinion 12 is provided from the starter motor 10 by a pinion 18 provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 16, a gear 20 that meshes with the pinion 12, a gear 22 that meshes with the pinion 12, a one-way clutch 24 provided at the center thereof, and the inside of the one-way clutch. It is driven to rotate in the engine starting direction via a pinion shaft 26 engaged with the portion. The pinion shaft 26 is rotationally supported by a pair of bearings 28 and 30 to support the one-way clutch 24 and the gear 22 in a rotational manner, and at the same time, the bearing 28 and 30 maintain the torque transmission relationship with the inner member of the one-way clutch 24. It is also guided in the direction so that it can move left and right in the figure. An armature 32 is provided at the other end of the pinion shaft 26. The armature 32 is elastically urged to the left in the drawing by a tension coil spring 34 whose left end is fixedly supported by a housing structure not shown in the drawing.
[0020]
Reference numeral 36 denotes a solenoid, and an exciting current is selectively supplied from a power storage device A (not shown) through a transistor 40 that is controlled to be turned on and off by a control signal generated from a control device 38 incorporating a computer. ing. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the solenoid 36 is not energized, and the pinion 12 abuts the armature 32 and the stopper 42 supported by the housing structure by the action of the tension coil spring 34. It is pulled to the left in the figure until it is far from the gear 14.
[0021]
The starter motor 10 is selectively supplied with drive current from the power storage device A via the contacts 46 and 48 that are electrically connected to each other by the flange portion 44 of the armature when the pinion / armature reaches the position shown in FIG. It has become so.
[0022]
In the configuration of the engine starting device as described above, when the key switch (not shown) is turned to the starter operating position when starting the engine, the control device 38 turns on the transistor 40 to the solenoid 36. The armature 32 is driven from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 3 to engage the pinion 12 with the gear 14, the pinion 12 is completely engaged with the gear 14, and the contacts 46 and 48 are connected by the flange portion 44 of the armature. When energized, the starter motor 10 is energized to drive it. When the engine is started and the key switch is removed from the starter operating position, both the solenoid 36 and starter motor 10 are de-energized and the pinion / armature returns to the position shown in FIG.
[0023]
While driving the vehicle, the vehicle operation control unit determines that the engine should be temporarily stopped due to a signal waiting, traffic jams, etc., and when the engine is stopped under automatic control by the vehicle operation control unit, the engine is automatically restarted. In addition, the control device 38 controls the on / off of the transistor 40 with a pulse current having a variable duty ratio, and controls the duty of the magnitude of the current supplied to the solenoid 36 so that the pinion 12 is turned on as shown in FIG. The position is set close to the gear 14 but not engaged. The intermediate pinion setting position may be achieved by feedback control of the duty control for the current of the solenoid 36 based on the output of an arbitrary sensor 50 that detects the position of the flange portion 44 of the armature. The intermediate pinion position is set by the duty control of the current of the solenoid 36. An arbitrary notch-type fitting or a flexible positioning means by magnetic attraction force not shown in the figure is used as a pinion shaft. 26 or armature 32 may be assisted by acting on it.
[0024]
When in the proximity standby state, when a command for restarting the engine is issued from the vehicle operation control device, the control device 38 immediately instructs the transistor 40 to increase the duty ratio of the duty control with respect to the current of the solenoid 36 to 100%. The pinion 12 can be instantaneously engaged with the gear 14 and the starter motor can be driven to restart the engine.
[0025]
FIGS. 4 to 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1 to 3, showing a second embodiment of the engine starter according to the invention in half-open view in three operating states that it can stably take. . 4-6, the part corresponding to the part shown in FIGS. 1-3 is shown with the same code | symbol as the code | symbol in FIGS. 1-3.
[0026]
In this second embodiment, the armature 32 is permanently magnetized so as to exhibit an N pole and an S pole as shown. 1-3, in place of the solenoid 36 in the embodiment, an annular permanent magnet 52 having a polarity as shown in the figure and two solenoids 54 and 56 disposed adjacent to both sides in the axial direction are provided. ing. Solenoids 54 and 56 are selectively energized with current from power storage device A through transistors 58 to 66 that are switched between on and off by a control signal generated by control device 38. Similarly, the starter motor 10 is selectively energized with a current from the power storage device A through a solenoid switch 68 that is controlled to be turned on and off by a control signal generated from the control device 38.
[0027]
FIG. 4 shows a state where the key switch is turned on and the engine is operating, or when the key switch is turned on at the start of the engine but has not yet been turned to the starter operating position. . At this time, the transistor 66 is turned on under the control of the control device 38, and the solenoid 56 is energized so as to exhibit a magnetic pole as shown. Due to the excitation of the solenoid 56, the armature 32 is moved to the left position as shown in the figure by the electromagnetic force and is stably held at this position. In this way, before cranking at the time of engine start and during engine operation after start-up, the pinion 12 is disengaged from the meshing with the gear 14 and is moved away from this position.
[0028]
The state shown in FIG. 5 is a state in which the pinion 12 is close to the gear 14 but is not yet engaged therewith. At this time, neither of the solenoids 54 and 56 is energized. Of course, the starter motor 10 is not energized. This state occurs when the key switch is opened and the vehicle is not being driven, and when the engine is temporarily stopped during the vehicle operation as determined by the vehicle operation control device. The armature 32 is stably held at an intermediate position as shown by the magnetic attraction force of the permanent magnet 52.
[0029]
When the engine is to be restarted under automatic control by the vehicle operation control device after the engine has been temporarily stopped by the vehicle operation control device during vehicle operation, the transistors 58 and 64 are switched from the state of FIG. By turning on and turning off 60 and 62, the solenoid 54 is energized so as to exhibit a magnetic pole as shown, and the armature 32 is attracted to the position shown in FIG. Thus, the pinion 12 is meshed with the gear 14. Further, at the same time when the pinion 12 is meshed with the gear 14, the relay switch 68 is closed by a control signal from the control device 38, the current from the power storage device A is supplied to the starter motor 10, and the gear 12 turns the gear 14. After that, the engine rotation shaft is driven to rotate in the starting direction.
[0030]
In this embodiment, when the pinion 12 is moved from the meshing position shown in FIG. 6 to the isolated position shown in FIG. 4 after the engine is started, the transistors 62 and 60 are temporarily turned on, Turning off 58 and 64 energizes to present a magnetic pole opposite to that shown in FIG. 6 so that armature 32 is attracted by solenoid 56 to the position of FIG. It is played toward the position of FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the third embodiment in the same state as in FIG. 5 except for only a part of the engine starting device described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 7, portions corresponding to the portions shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.
[0032]
In this third embodiment, the permanent magnet 52 in the previous second embodiment is eliminated, and instead the armature 32 is placed in the middle when neither solenoid 54 or 56 is energized. A pair of compression coil springs 70 and 72 are used as means for stably holding the position. It will be apparent that in such an embodiment, substantially the same operation as described above with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to three embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the invention described in the claims. I will.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of an engine starter according to the present invention in a semi-resolved state with its operation substantially stopped.
FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in an intermediate operating state in preparation for rapid starter motor operation;
FIG. 3 is a similar view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in an operating state in which the starter motor can drive the engine.
4 is a similar view showing a second embodiment of the engine starter according to the present invention in the same state as that shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a similar view showing a second embodiment of the engine starter according to the present invention in the same state as that shown in FIG. 2;
6 is a similar view showing a second embodiment of the engine starter according to the present invention in the same state as the state shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the third embodiment of the engine starter according to the present invention in the same state as the state shown in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Starter motor 12 ... Pinion 14 ... Gear 16 ... Rotary shaft 18 of starter motor ... Pinion 20, 22 ... Gear 24 ... One-way clutch 26 ... Pinion shaft 28, 30 ... Bearing 32 ... Armature 34 ... Tension coil spring 36 ... Solenoid 38 ... Control device 40 ... Transistor 42 ... Stopper 44 ... Flange portion 46, 48 ... Contact 50 ... Sensor 52 ... Non-circular permanent magnets 54, 56 ... Solenoid 58-66 ... Transistor 68 ... Relay switch 70, 72 ... Compression coil spring

Claims (6)

A starter motor and a pinion that is rotationally driven by the starter motor, and the starter motor is supplied with current from the power storage device in a state where the pinion is meshed with a gear connected to the rotation shaft of the engine. An engine starter configured to start the engine by rotationally driving the engine, the first position where the position of the pinion with respect to the gear is sufficiently separated from the gear, and the proximity to the gear are still present Pinion position setting means for stably setting each of the second position that does not mesh with this and the third position that meshes with the gear, and the pinion position setting means is integrally connected to the pinion. A bullet that urges the armature and the pinion-armature connection body so that the pinion moves from the third position toward the first position. Biasing means; a solenoid that electromagnetically drives the armature so that the pinion moves from the first position to the third position; and means for supplying a controlled current to the solenoid, The pinion is respectively in the second position and the third position by balancing the elastic urging force of the elastic urging means and the electromagnetic driving force generated by the solenoid in accordance with the control of the current supplied to the solenoid. features and to Rue engine starting device that is stably set to. 2. The engine starter according to claim 1 , wherein the supply of current to the solenoid for setting the pinion to the second position is based on a current pulse whose duty ratio is controlled. A starter motor and a pinion that is rotationally driven by the starter motor, and the starter motor is supplied with current from the power storage device in a state where the pinion is meshed with a gear connected to the rotation shaft of the engine. An engine starter configured to start the engine by rotationally driving the engine, the first position where the position of the pinion with respect to the gear is sufficiently separated from the gear, and the proximity to the gear are still present Pinion position setting means for stably setting each of the second position that does not mesh with the gear and the third position that meshes with the gear, and the pinion position setting means is energized when the starter motor is energized. A first solenoid that is energized and a second solenoid that is energized during rotation after the engine is started, and the pinion includes the first and second solenoids. The third and first positions are set by the electromagnetic force generated by the renoid, respectively, and the pinion position setting means generates both the first and second solenoids. features and to Rue engine starting device that has an intermediate position setting means for setting the pinion to the second position when there is no. Claim 3 wherein the pinion position setting means, characterized in that it comprises a means for performing the energizing direction is opposite to the energization at the time of the starter motor energizing the first solenoid when energized with the second solenoid Engine starter. The engine starting device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the intermediate position setting means is means for utilizing a magnetic attractive force by a permanent magnet. The engine starting device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the intermediate position setting means is means using an elastic force of a spring.

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