JP4509427B2 - Engine starter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an engine starter, and more particularly, to an engine starter used together with an automatic start clutch capable of transmitting power from an engine to wheels at a predetermined rotational speed or higher.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a motorcycle having an automatic start clutch in which the clutch is connected and power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels when the engine speed is set to a predetermined start speed or higher. In such a motorcycle, the ignition circuit is deactivated when the engine speed is not higher than a reference value at the start speed or less so that the engine speed that has not been warmed up is not suddenly increased. A vehicle having a misfire circuit is disclosed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-7221). In this vehicle, if the brake operation is performed, the misfire circuit is deactivated, and the engine speed is increased to allow the vehicle to start.
[0003]
There is also known a motorcycle provided with a switch interlocked with a brake lever so that the starter can be started when this switch is turned on (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297364). In this motorcycle, when the switch linked to the brake lever is set to the second level, the stop lamp is lit when the first level switch is turned on, and the second level switch is operated by firmly grasping the brake lever. The starter can be started with the brake applied.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the start control device provided in the conventional vehicle, the starter can be started based on the ON operation of the brake switch. However, when the starter is started, the driver needs to grip the brake lever strongly in order to resist the starting force, and it is not preferable that the operation with a strong gripping force is forced every time the starter is started. In addition, since it is complicated to provide the brake lever with two stages, simplification of the switch is desired.
[0005]
In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to resist the driving force at the time of start without strongly grasping the brake lever, and to control the engine speed at the start without complicating the structure of the brake switch. It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine starter that can be used.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an engine starter coupled to clutch means for transmitting engine power to wheels when the rotational speed becomes equal to or higher than the connection start rotational speed. A brake switch that generates a start signal, a starter switch that generates a start signal, a throttle sensor that detects the throttle opening, an engine speed sensor that detects the engine speed, and a start when the brake signal and the start signal are on An opening determining means for determining whether or not the throttle opening exceeds a reference opening when the brake signal and the start signal are on, and the throttle opening satisfies the reference opening. And the ignition control circuit for limiting the engine speed to a predetermined speed or less when the engine speed is exceeded. There is a feature.
[0007]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the ignition control circuit is configured to continue limiting the engine speed until the throttle opening is equal to or smaller than a second reference opening that is smaller than the reference opening. There are two features.
[0008]
In addition, the present invention has a third feature in that the scheduled rotation speed is set to a value equal to or higher than the connection start rotation speed of the clutch means.
[0009]
According to the first to third features, when the brake is operated and the starter is started, if the throttle is wide open, the ignition control circuit operates to limit the engine speed to a predetermined speed or less. To do. Therefore, the engine is started with the driving force suppressed regardless of the throttle opening.
[0010]
According to the second feature, when the throttle opening is equal to or smaller than the second reference opening, the restriction on the engine speed is released, so that the warm-up operation at the second reference opening or less is possible. If the brake is released after the engine is started and the throttle is opened, the vehicle can start smoothly.
[0011]
Further, according to the third feature, an increase in the engine speed is suppressed at a higher speed than when the clutch is started. On the other hand, an increase in engine speed is not limited at a lower speed than when the clutch starts to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to start slowly by connecting the clutch at a low connection start rotational speed.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, and “lower” indicate directions viewed from the driver, and the front side Fr, the rear side Rr, the left side L, and the right side R correspond to the traveling direction of the vehicle. Indicates the position.
[0013]
FIG. 4 is a side view of a motorcycle equipped with an engine starter according to the present invention. A motorcycle 10 which is a scooter type vehicle includes a body frame 11, a front fork 12 attached to a head pipe 11a of the body frame 11, a front wheel 13 attached to the front fork 12, a handle 14 connected to the front fork 12, A power unit 15 attached to the rear part of the vehicle body frame 11 so as to be able to swing up and down, a rear wheel 16 attached to the power unit 15, a rear cushion unit 17 suspended from the rear end part of the power unit 15, and an upper part of the rear part of the vehicle body frame 11 A storage box (luggage box) 18 and a seat 19 disposed on the storage box 18 so as to be opened and closed are provided. The luggage box 18 accommodates a helmet He.
[0014]
The handle 14 is provided with left and right handle grips 51L and 51R, left and right brake levers 52L and 52R, and brake switches 53L and 53R as switches operated by the left and right brake levers 52L and 52R.
[0015]
The body frame 11 is formed by connecting a die-cast front frame 11F integrally formed with a head pipe 11a and a die-cast rear frame 11R through a connecting portion 11X. The power unit 15 includes an engine (internal combustion engine) 21 and a belt type continuously variable transmission 22 with a centrifugal clutch. The engine 21 is a water-cooled four-cycle engine inclined in a substantially horizontal direction with the cylinder block 307, the cylinder head 308, and the head cover 311, that is, the cylinder portion facing the storage box 18 and the fuel tank 35. A starter motor (hereinafter simply referred to as “starter”) for starting the engine 21 is coupled to the crankshaft of the engine 21.
[0016]
The fuel tank 35 is provided with a lockable fuel cap 35a, which appears when the fueling lid 91 is opened forward and upward, and allows fueling from here. The fuel tank 35 is provided with a fuel unit 56 including a resistor as a main component in order to detect the remaining amount of fuel.
[0017]
The body frame 11 is covered with a body cover 24. The body cover 24 includes a front cover 28 that covers the front portion of the head pipe 11a, a leg shield 26 that covers the rear portion of the front cover 28 with the head pipe 11a interposed therebetween, and a step of placing the driver's feet. A floor (low floor type footrest board) 27, a pair of left and right floor side covers 28 extending downward from the outer edge of the step floor 27, an under cover 29 covering between the lower edges of the floor side cover 28, and the seat 19 The seat lower cover 31 covers the front part of the periphery, the rear cover 32 covers the lower rear part of the seat 19 and the rear wheel 16, and a pair of left and right side covers 33.
[0018]
A main switch 34 is disposed in the leg shield 26, and a fuel tank 35 and a fuel pump 36 are disposed under the step floor 27. A radiator reserve tank 37, a battery 38, and a control unit 39 are disposed at the rear upper end of the vehicle body frame 11. The motorcycle 10 is equipped with a liquid crystal display device 60 that displays a vehicle speed, a remaining fuel amount, a travel distance, a message for communication with the driver, and the like. The main switch 34 has a switch position for turning on the main power supply of the vehicle and a start position for starting the starter of the engine 21.
[0019]
The motorcycle 10 includes an air cleaner 41 provided on the left side of the vehicle body, a carburetor 42, an engine cooling radiator 43 provided on the right end of the crankshaft 21a of the engine 21, an engine exhaust pipe 44, an exhaust muffler 45 provided on the right side of the vehicle body, Front fender 46, rear fender 47, head lamp 48, mirror 92, left and right front blinkers 93L and 93R, front handle cover 94F, rear handle cover 94R, and horn provided in the front cover 25, which rotate together with the front fork 12. 95, a pair of left and right engine hangers 96, an engine starting kick pedal 97, a main stand 98, a carrier 99, a cylinder block 307, a cylinder head 308, a head cover 311, an intake pipe 312, and an intake manifold 313 are provided. The intake manifold 313 is provided with a throttle valve, and the throttle valve is provided with a throttle sensor (not shown) for detecting the throttle valve opening.
[0020]
The engine 21 is provided with a water temperature sensor 54 that detects the water temperature of the engine 21 and a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft 21a, that is, the engine rotation speed. A speed sensor 55 is provided on the rear wheel 16 side of the transmission 22. The speed sensor 55 is preferably a Hall sensor using a Hall element. A stop lamp 57 and left and right rear blinkers 59L and 59R are provided at the rear of the vehicle body, and a lighting circuit unit 58 for lighting the stop lamp 57 is provided at the front of the vehicle body.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the automatic transmission 22. In the figure, the output of the engine 21 is transmitted to the centrifugal clutch 3 via the V-belt type automatic transmission 22 and further transmitted to the rear wheels (drive wheels) 16 via the centrifugal clutch 3. The output shaft of the engine 1, that is, the crankshaft 21a, includes a fixed face 212, a movable face 213 that is displaceable in the axial direction with respect to the drive shaft 21a, a ramp (tilt) plate 214, a movable face 213, and a ramp plate 214. There is provided a weight roller 215 that is disposed between and is displaced in the radial direction of the movable face 213 in accordance with the magnitude of the centrifugal force. The fixed face 212 and the movable face 213 constitute a drive side V pulley.
[0022]
A hook-shaped clutch outer 332 is fixed to one end of the rear wheel side shaft, that is, the driven shaft 331, and a hub 333 of the clutch outer 332 is provided with a boss 334 that is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the driven shaft 331. A fixed face 321 is fixed to one end of the boss 334. In addition, a movable face 322 that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the boss 334, that is, the axial direction of the driven shaft 331, is provided, and the movable face 322 is urged toward the fixed face 321 by the coil spring 323. A clutch inner plate 335 is fixed to the other end of the boss 334, and a clutch shoe 336 is attached to the clutch inner plate 335. The fixed face 321 and the movable face 322 constitute a driven side V pulley. A V belt 324 is hung between the driving side V pulley and the driven side V pulley.
[0023]
The driven shaft 331 is connected to the shaft 161 of the rear wheel 16 via the gear train 5. A vehicle speed sensor 55 is provided opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the final gear 5b provided on the final shaft 5a of the gear train 5, that is, the teeth. The vehicle speed sensor 55 corresponds to the unevenness of the teeth of the final gear 5b, and outputs different signals depending on whether the tooth tip part is opposed to the tooth bottom part. That is, as the final gear 5b rotates, a signal that changes in accordance with the tooth shape is output. This signal is binarized in accordance with a threshold value by a control unit (not shown), and as a result, is converted into a pulse signal train according to the rotation of the final gear 5b. The number of pulse signals within the scheduled period represents vehicle speed as a function of vehicle speed. An engine speed sensor (not shown) for detecting the speed of the drive shaft 21a is provided in the engine 21.
[0024]
During operation, centrifugal force acts on the weight roller 215 in accordance with the rotational speed of the engine 1, and when the weight roller 215 is displaced in the radial direction of the driving side V pulley, the distance between the fixed face 212 and the movable face 213 of the driving side V pulley is increased. Change. The winding diameter of the V belt 324 around the driving side V pulley and the driven side V pulley is changed according to this interval, and the gear ratio is changed.
[0025]
When the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases and the rotational speed of the driven V pulley increases to reach the connection start rotational speed (clutch-in rotational speed: for example, 3200 ± 100 rpm), the clutch shoe 336 reaches the clutch outer 332 above a predetermined value. The rotation is transmitted to the rotary shaft 331 by contact with force, and the rear wheel 16 is driven. Further, when the engine speed reaches such a value that the centrifugal force of the weight roller 215 exceeds the deterring force of the coil spring 323, the weight roller 215 starts to be displaced and the gear ratio changes.
[0026]
The start control of the motorcycle equipped with the automatic transmission will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the start control device. In the figure, the ignition control circuit 100 reads output signals from the brake switches 53L and 53R, the main switch 34, the throttle sensor 313a, and the engine speed sensor 21b, and the brake switch is operated or the main switch 34 is at the start position. Whether the output of the throttle sensor is within a predetermined throttle opening range or whether the engine speed is the predetermined engine speed. Then, an instruction for suppressing the engine speed is output to the ignition circuit 101 according to an algorithm described later. In this embodiment, ignition is thinned out in order to suppress the engine speed. Preferably, an instruction is given by determining how much the thinning rate should be. The ignition control circuit 100 can be constituted by a microcomputer, and can include a storage device for setting the thinning rate, a reference value of the engine speed, and a reference value of the throttle opening.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the start control device. In the figure, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the brake switch 53L or 53R is on. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2, and whether or not the starter of the engine 21 is on, that is, the main switch 34 is started. It is determined whether or not the position has been switched. When the main switch 34 is switched to the start position, the starter rotates and the engine 21 is started.
[0028]
If it is determined that the starter has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the throttle opening θTH is greater than a first reference opening θTHA (for example, 30%) based on the output of the throttle sensor 313a. . If the throttle opening degree θTH is larger than the reference opening degree θTHA, it is determined that the starting operation has been performed in a state where the throttle opening degree θTH is large. In this case, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not the throttle opening θTH is smaller than the second reference opening θTHB (<θTHA, for example, 5%). That is, it is determined whether an operation of closing the throttle has been performed or remains open. If the throttle remains open, step S4 is negative and the process proceeds to step S5.
[0029]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the reference speed NeCL. The reference rotation speed NeCL can be set equal to or higher than the clutch-in rotation speed, for example, 4000 rpm. When the engine speed is higher than the reference speed NeCL, the process proceeds to step S6 and ignition control is performed. In the ignition control, for example, the ignition is performed by thinning out the ignition at a predetermined interval. The ignition control is continued until the throttle opening θTH becomes smaller than the second reference opening θTHB (Yes in step S4). Further, since the ignition control is performed when the engine speed Ne exceeds the reference speed NeCL (Yes in step S5), the engine speed Ne is limited to the reference speed NeCL.
[0030]
Thus, when the brake operation is being performed, the starter is on, and the throttle opening θTH is large, the engine speed Ne is limited to the reference value NeCL and the driving force at the start is suppressed. The engine 21 can be started with the levers 52L and 52R lightly grasped. In particular, by setting the reference rotational speed NeCL to be equal to or higher than the clutch-in rotational speed, the coupling force at the time of clutch engagement can be reduced. Therefore, the ride comfort at the start can be improved.
[0031]
The thinning rate when thinning out the ignition may be a constant value or may be changed according to the engine speed. For example, it is preferable to increase the thinning rate as the deviation (in the positive direction) of the engine speed Ne from the reference speed NeCL increases.
[0032]
It can be configured that the starter does not rotate when the presence or absence of a signal from the throttle sensor 313a is determined and there is no signal. As a result, when the throttle sensor 313a fails, it is avoided that the engine 21 is started without correctly determining the throttle opening θTH.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main functions of the ignition control circuit 100. In the figure, when at least one of the brake switches 53L and 53R is turned on and the main switch 34 is switched to the starter position, the engine starter 21c is energized, and the throttle determination unit 102 and the engine speed are The determination unit 103 is energized. The throttle determination unit 102 detects the detection signal while the throttle opening θTH, which is the output of the throttle sensor 313a, is maintained at the second reference opening θTHB or higher after the throttle opening θTH is higher than the first reference opening θTHA. s1 is output.
[0034]
The engine speed determination unit 103 outputs a detection signal s2 when the engine speed Ne, which is the output of the engine speed sensor 21b, is equal to or higher than the reference speed NeCL. When both of these signals s1 and s2 are output, the ignition thinning unit 104 is energized, and a thinning signal for thinning out the ignition at a predetermined thinning rate is output to the ignition circuit 101.
[0035]
In this embodiment, the increase in the engine speed is suppressed by thinning out the ignition, but the ignition timing is retarded by the ignition timing control to reduce the engine output, resulting in the engine speed being reduced. It can also be modified to suppress the rise.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, since the increase in the engine speed is limited even when the throttle opening is wide when the engine is started, the accelerator position is It is possible to start quickly without using it. Further, since not only the brake operation but also the throttle opening is monitored, it is not necessary to set the brake switch in two stages. Further, since the increase in engine speed can be suppressed and the driving force can be reduced, the operating force required for the brake operation for suppressing the start can be reduced.
[0037]
In particular, in the invention of claim 2, the warm-up operation can be performed in a state where the throttle opening is smaller than the second reference opening. According to the invention of claim 3, the engine speed increase is suppressed at a higher rotational speed than when the clutch starts to be connected, while the engine speed increase is limited at a lower rotational speed than the clutch starts to be connected. Not. Therefore, it is possible to start slowly by connecting the clutch at a low connection start rotational speed, and to improve the ride comfort at the start.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main functions of a starter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a starter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a starter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a motorcycle equipped with a starter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an automatic transmission having an automatic start clutch.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Centrifugal clutch, 10 ... Motorcycle, 16 ... Rear wheel, 21 ... Engine, 22 ... Automatic transmission, 34 ... Main switch, 53L, 53R ... Brake switch, 101 ... Ignition circuit, 102 ... Throttle judgment part, 103 ... Engine speed determination unit, 313a ... throttle sensor

Claims (4)

In the engine starting device coupled to the clutch means (3) for transmitting the power of the engine (21) to the wheels (16) when the rotational speed becomes equal to or higher than the connection start rotational speed,
A brake switch (53L, 53R) that generates a brake signal by a brake operation;
A starter switch (34) for generating a start signal;
A throttle sensor (313a) that detects the throttle opening (θTH) and outputs a signal indicating the throttle opening ;
An engine speed sensor (21b) for detecting the engine speed (Ne);
A starter (21c) that is started when the brake signal and the start signal are on;
Opening degree judging means for judging whether or not the throttle opening degree (θTH) exceeds a reference opening degree (θTHA) when the brake signal and the start signal are on;
When the throttle opening exceeds the reference opening (θTHA), the engine speed (Ne) is limited to a predetermined rotation speed (NeCL) or less, and the throttle opening (θTH) is set to the reference opening (θTHA). an ignition control circuit that continues to limit the engine speed until it becomes equal to or smaller than a second reference opening (θTHB) smaller than θTHA);
Wherein to determine the presence or absence of the signal indicating the throttle opening from the throttle sensor (313a), that if there is no said signal is that it is determined that the failure and means for inhibiting the rotation of the starter (21c) An engine starting device.  The planned rotation speed (NeCL) is equal to or higher than the connection start rotation speed of the clutch means (3), and the start of the vehicle (10) using the engine (21) as a drive source can be suppressed while the brake lever is gripped. 2. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the starting device is set to a different value.   In order to limit the engine speed (Ne) to a predetermined speed (NeCL) or less, the ignition decimation is performed at an ignition decimation rate that is set to a large value in accordance with the degree of excess of the engine speed (Ne) with respect to the reference speed (NeCL). The engine starting device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an ignition thinning section (104) for performing the ignition.   In order to limit the engine rotational speed (Ne) to a predetermined rotational speed (NeCL) or less, an ignition thinning unit (104) for thinning out the ignition by the ignition circuit (101) at a constant ignition thinning rate is provided. The engine starting device according to claim 1 or 2.

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