KR20040096639A - Starting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising a starter consisting of a contactor (2) and an electric motor (1). The aforementioned starter is connected to a battery (3) by means of a single power cable (4) which is connected to a supply terminal (8) of the starter, said supply terminal being permanently connected to a control terminal (11) of the contactor (2). Interruption means (14), which are disposed between the starter supply terminal (8) and the battery, are controlled (15, 16) in such a way as to connect the battery (3) and the starter supply terminal (8) temporarily for a start-up period. In this way, power is only supplied to the starter and the power cable (4) during said start-up periods.

Description

Startup system {STARTING SYSTEM}

As shown in FIG. 1, the starter according to the prior art includes an electric motor 1 operated via a contactor 2. The electrical energy required to start up is supplied via the battery (3), which is traditionally integrated into the contactor (2) via the contact of the power relay (5). It is connected to the motor 1 by (4). The battery 3 is also connected to the contactor 2 by a control cable 6 via a switch key 7. As such, unlike an inertial starter that connects only to a power cable, a starter that includes a contactor is typically powered through two cables:

A power cable (4) connected to the starter's power supply terminal (8) and supplying a basic current to the starter's electric motor (1). This cable has a large cross section that delivers an average of about 100 to 500 amps depending on the power of the starter under 12 volts. The amperage maximum can range from 500 amps to 1000 amps or more depending on the starter.

Control jable 6 of contactor 2 connected to the control terminal 9 of the starter. The cable is sized for currents between 30 and 60 amps.

When the switch key 7 is closed, the contact 5 of the power relay is closed while the power is supplied to the contactor 2, and the electric motor 1 is started.

The control cable 6 runs long inside the vehicle. In practice, the control cable generally starts with the plus terminal of the battery 3, which is placed in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle, meets the switch key 7 arranged on the steering shaft of the vehicle interior, and then the control terminal of the starter ( Return to engine compartment to end in 9). However, in order for the contactor to be closed to form the required propulsion force, the connection method should not exhibit the characteristic of excessive voltage drop under 30 to 60 amperes. Thus, for the control cable 6 it should have a major cross section, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 mm 2, and the total resistance of the control cable 6 should generally be between 50 and 100 milliohms.

The contactor 2 also has a size that can be closed when heated. In practice, under these conditions, the resistance of the coil portion to which the resistance of the wiring is added is greatest, and the amount of electrical energy derived therefrom is the weakest, resulting in the weakest electromagnet attraction of the contactor. This phenomenon directly affects the amount of copper used in the contactor coil and the amount of iron used in the contactor magnetic circuit.

In addition, the starter controller is generally locked by the position sensor. For example, in an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission, the interrupt placed in series with the switch key 7 on the control cable 6 is in a shift position other than the "Parking" or "Neutral" state. Prohibit starting. However, the position sensor cannot tolerate the passage of a current equal to the current of the starter contactor 2. Therefore, an auxiliary relay in series with the switch key is required. To this end, excessive cost is required, and a disadvantage is that a supplementary space for mounting the relay in the electric circuit of the vehicle is required.

In newer cars produced nowadays, the starter is often no longer directly operated by the driver using the switch key 7. In this case, the accessory control unit according to the driver's operation takes its place, for example, the starter can be started or stopped via the badge. This automation avoids erroneous manipulation or excessive operation of the starter. At this time, it is essential to install an auxiliary relay between the starter and the control unit in order to avoid the starter control circuit absorbing excessive current.

In the case of a starter according to the prior art, the power cable 4 which connects the battery 3 to the starter's power supply terminal 8 is always energized whether the vehicle is running or stopped. Therefore, there is always a risk of a short circuit when the power cable is crushed or the insulation of the power cable is worn out due to vibration. Power cable is a cable with a strong current flow, so if the current leakage is strong enough that it may be an important factor in the automobile fire.

In order to solve this problem, some automobiles are fitted with a fuse between the power cable 4 and the battery (3). However, their effectiveness is limited because these protection devices only work in the event of a short circuit. In addition, the fuse must be made so that it will not blow out during normal operation of the starter. In some cases, it should be considered that the starter can absorb up to 75% of the leakage current.

In addition, when a large amount of current is required, i.e. starting up in winter, the voltage drop in the fuse significantly degrades the starter's function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a starting system including a starter composed of an electric motor and a contactor powered by a battery.

1 is a view showing a starter according to the prior art,

2 shows a starter according to the invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a starter which does not exhibit the above mentioned disadvantages, in particular a starter which does not involve the danger of fire associated with the starter.

One solution is to replace the fuse mounted between the power cable 4 and the battery 3 with an operating contact of a power relay that can accept an average of 100 to 500 A absorbed by the electric motor. In this case, the coil of the power relay will be connected in parallel to the battery via the switch key 7. In this case, at the same time as the closing of the switch key 7, the starter's contactor 2 and the coil of the power relay will be powered, so that the power cable 4 can be placed under voltage via the operating contact of the power relay. will be. The operating contact of the power relay will only be closed for the few seconds required at startup. The power cable 4 will therefore only be under voltage for a brief period of several seconds, which is required at startup.

According to the invention, the starter is connected to the battery via a cable connected to the power supply terminal, the power supply terminal of the starter being permanently connected to the control terminal of the contactor. At this time, the blocking devices placed between the starter's power supply terminal and the battery are controlled to temporarily connect the battery and the starter's power supply terminal during the startup process.

In addition to reducing the risk of fire, the present invention has the advantage that a starter having a contactor can be easily mounted in an automobile engine compartment. Indeed, according to the present invention, a starter having such a contactor requires a single wire connection to ensure its function. This is quite economical from the point of view of the car producer.

Another improvement of the present invention is that the blocking devices are placed as close to the battery as possible and that they can be configured via one power relay.

Further features of the present invention will be described in more detail through non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the starter shown in FIG. 2, the engine 1 is connected to the power cable via the contact 5 of the power relay integrated in the contactor 2 and the power supply terminal 8 of the starter as in the prior art. It is connected to the battery 3 via (4).

One electrical conductor 10 ensures a permanent electrical connection between the starter's power supply terminal 8 and the contactor's internal control terminal 11. Thus, the control cable 6 connecting the contactor 2 to the switch key 7 is omitted in the starter of FIG. 1, with only one conductor, ie the power cable 4, powering the starter.

The power relay is mounted in an additional case 12 placed outside of the starter, in particular near the positive pole of the battery 3. In FIG. 2, the power relay comprises a coil 13 and a power contact 14 coupled thereto, which lies between the positive pole of the battery 3 and the power supply terminal 8 of the starter. When current flows in the coil 13, the power contact 14 coupled to the coil is temporarily closed, at which time the cable 4 and the starter's power supply terminal 8 are connected to the positive pole of the battery 3. .

The power relay is controlled through one logic circuit 15. The coil 13 of the power relay connects between the positive pole of the battery 3 and the outlet of the logic circuit 15. The logic circuit is activated by an external start control signal.

When a start command is given, current is supplied to the coil 13, as a result of which the power contact 14 is temporarily closed. At this time, the power supply terminal 8 of the starter is connected to a battery 3 for supplying power to the contactor 2 via the electric conductor 10. This closes the contact 5, as a result of which power is supplied to the electric motor 1 via the power contact 14, the power cable 4 and the contact 5. When the power contact 14 is reopened, the voltage is removed from the power cable 4.

The logic circuit 15 powered by the battery 3 can be realized in an analog or digital manner, for example via an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor. The logic circuit can also be configured as a relay circuit or the switch key itself.

According to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the logic circuit 15 is controlled by an external controller 16, which may be an injection controller of a motor vehicle or another kind of controller that performs various functions in the motor vehicle. The external controller may be, for example, a heat engine management controller of a vehicle. The connection between the logic circuit 15 and the controller 16 may be realized via an electrical signal, a radio signal or an optical signal, and in some cases via a signal of this kind symbolized.

The start command is given via a conductor which serves to operate the switch key 7 which is connected to the logic circuit 15 or to the inlet of the controller 16 shown in FIG. The switch key may be replaced by any other similar element capable of giving a start command to the logic circuit 15 or the controller 16, in particular through an electromechanical system which can be manually operated by the motor vehicle driver. .

In one variant embodiment, logic 15 or controller 16 may generate a start command by itself. This is the case, for example, in the case of an automated start system of the type known under the name "stop & go" system.

After the logic circuit 15 or the controller 16 recognizes the heat engine operation of the vehicle, it may generate a start termination command by itself. At this time, the starter stops automatically.

When the protection system according to the prior art, in which the logic circuit 15 or the controller 16 is coupled to the starter or the motor vehicle, is actuated, it is then possible to generate for itself a command of start termination or a non-execution of start instruction. Such a protection system may operate incorrectly, for example, when the starter is overloaded electrically, mechanically, or thermally, or when the heat engine is already functioning, such as attempting to start or attempting to start when the gear is bitten. It works in case of manipulation.

One electronic circuit for controlling the current at one or more terminals 2 of the contactor, in particular for manipulating the current at the terminals to enable progressive advancement of the contactor pinion, as is already known in the art. May be placed between the starter's power supply terminal 8 and the contactor's internal control terminal 11. This can reduce noise and extend the life of the starter. More detailed information on this may be found in French patent FR 2,679,717.

The electromechanical type power relays 13, 14 may be replaced by any kind of suitable power communication tool such as, for example, a semiconductor element in which a control system is integrated.

The main advantages of the starter described above are as follows.

Outside the start-up process, no voltage is automatically applied to the starter and the power cable 4 which powers the starter.

-Only one wire with a thick section (cable 4) can power the starter.

The number of connection points can be reduced, limiting the risk of loosening of the connection, thus reducing costs and improving the stability of the entire unit.

Compared to the voltage drop in the control cable 6 of the starter according to FIG. 1, the resistance of the power supply cable 4 is weak, so that the voltage drop in the starter power supply cable 4 can be reduced. This advantage facilitates the closure of the starter contactor 2 at high temperatures and also reduces the amount of copper in the contactor while maintaining the closure characteristics of conventional starters.

-Compatible with conventional starters. For this purpose, it is sufficient to add a connecting element between the control terminal 9 and the power supply terminal 8 on the starter cover.

-Using existing controllers, automation of start-up and electrical protection of starter can be easily realized. That is, no additional microprocessor or additional control case is required for the automation and protection. This is because the logic circuit 15 and / or the controller 16 incorporate the protection function of the starter.

The cover of the contactor can be simplified since the starter contactor includes only one connection terminal (power supply terminal 8) instead of two terminals.

Claims (14)

In a starting system comprising a starter consisting of an electric motor (1) and a contactor (2) powered by a battery (3), The starter is connected to the battery via only one cable 4 connected to the power supply terminal 8, the power supply terminal being permanently connected to the control terminal 11 of the contactor, and the power supply terminal of the starter. And the disconnect devices placed between the batteries are controlled to temporarily connect the battery and the starter's power supply terminals during the startup process. The method of claim 1, The shut-off system is characterized in that it is placed as close as possible to the battery (3). The method according to claim 1 or 2, The shut-off devices comprise a power relay. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The blocking device comprises semiconductor elements. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The shut-off system is characterized in that it is controlled via a logic circuit (15). The method of claim 5, wherein The logic circuit (15) is controlled by an external controller (16). The method of claim 6, The logic circuit (15) and the controller (16) communicate via electrical signals. The method of claim 6, The logic circuit (15) and the controller (16) communicate via radio signals. The method of claim 6, The logic circuit (15) and the controller (16) communicate via optical signals. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, The logic circuit (15) and the controller (16) communicate via a symbolized signal. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, The control circuit (15, 16) of the disconnect devices is characterized in that it accepts a start command via a switch key (7). The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, The control circuit (15, 16) of the blocking devices receives the start command via a manually operated electromechanical system. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 12, The control circuit (15, 16) of the disconnecting devices incorporates the protection function of the starter. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The starter is characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit for regulating the current in the contactor (2).