US1246206A - Starting mechanism for automobiles. - Google Patents

Description

C. E. WILSON.

STARTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-6, I915.

1,246,206. Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Wu Char/es Wf/son Q BY ATTORNEY CHARLES E. VIILSQN, F WILKINSBUJRG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB, TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURIN r COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVJQINKA.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

STARTING MECHANTSM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Patented Nov. i3, 191?.

Application filed August 6, 1915. Scriai No. 44,005.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. Vinson, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinshurg, in the county of Allet gheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Starting Mechanisms for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to starting mechaac nisms for automobiles and particularly to such mechanisms as embody dynamo-electric machines having reciprocating armatures for efiecting the operative connection of the dynamo-electric machines to the shafts of internal combustion engines.

My invention has for its object to provide a simple and eiiicient arrangement whereby the armature of a dynamo-electric machine may be reciprocated longitudinally with a strong force while little or no torque is of fective to rotate the armature.

The successful operation of starting mechanisms of the same general character as that of my invention depends upon the provision of means whereby the armature may be shifted longitudinally to effect the meshing of the coacting gear Wheels which operatively connect the electric motors to the engines of the motor vehicles while little or W no torque is applied to the armature. Otherwise, the armature rotates at such a high rate of speed, upon the closing of the motor circuit, that the meshing of the gear wheels is rendered difficult or the coacting teeth are damaged as a result of the impact when they are brought into engagement. When a relatively high torque is exerted upon the armature, the lateral pressure upon the gear teeth renders it difficult to 4 efiect the complete meshing of the gear wheels even when the initial engagement of the teeth has been effected.

In the present arrangement, a dynamoelectric machine is provided with an armaeb ture having a winding of an abnormally large number of ampere turns, as, for example, double the ampere turns of the series field-magnet winding. When the armature winding is energized, the armature re- 5 action is increased in a corresponding dees. The magnetic pull exerted upon the field-magnet poles is also increased in substantially the same proportion.

Wh n the armature on y is co ne ted. in

circuit with a source of current, the armature reaction is strong enough to efiect the shifting of the armature into its central position and thereby effect the engagement of the coacting gear wheels. Since the fieldmagnet windings are not energized, no torque is effective to rotate the armature, and the gear Wheels are easily meshed. In order to insure proper conditions for commutation, a compensating field-magnet winding is provided. Otherwise, an abnormal distortion of the magnetic field is caused by reason of the armature reaction during the normal operation of the motor.

The details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a portion of an engine fly wheel, with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying my invention.

-The fiy wheel 1 of an internal-combustion engine, only a portion of which is shown, is provided with gear teeth 2. An electric motor 3, which is supported by any suitable means adjacent the fly wheel, has a field-magnet core structure 4, a series field magnet winding 5 and a compensating fieldmagnet winding 6.

The motor armature 7 is provided with a winding the ampere turns of which may greatly exceed the ampere turns of the series field-magnet winding 5.v

The armature 7 and the armature shaft 8 are arranged for longitudinal movement relatively to the field-magnet frame. spring. 9, which is interposed between a collar member 10 on the armature shaft and one of the bearings 12, tends to maintain the armature in a displaced position relatively to the core structure; The commutator cylinder 13 is of such length that it is always in engagement with coacting brushes 1% that are secured to the motor frame. A pinion 15, which is mounted on the armature shaft 8, coacts with the gear teeth 2 in the engine fly wheel.

The electrical circuits of the motor 3 and the controlling means therefor are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2. A movable switch member 16 coacts with a contact segment 17 to connect a battery directly in cirwit with the armature winding, the field magnet windings 5 and 6 being opencircuited when such connection is made. When the switch member 16 engages contact memher. 18, the working circuit of the motor is completed through the series field-magnet winding 5, the compensating field magnet winding (3 and the motor armature.

It may be assumed that the various parts are in their respective illustrated positions, with the pinion 15 out of engagement with the gear teeth 2 and the switch member 16 in its inoperative or oil position. To start the engine, the switch member 16 is actuated into engagement with the contact segment 17 to complete a. circuit through the motor armature. Because of the relatively large number of ampere turns in the armature winding, a strong, magnetic pull is exerted upon the field-magnet poles which is suili cient to shift the armature to its central position against the force the spring 9.

During the longitudinal movement or" the armature to effect the engagement of the pinion 15 with the gear teeth 9;, the field magnet windings are definergizod, and there substantially no torque applied to the armature. The residual magnetism of the field-magnet oles may cause slight etation of the nature but such action assists in reflecting the initial engagement of the teeth The h member 16, which has been actuated Wit continuous movement, engages the cont ct member 18 substantially the same e ll at the armature reaches its cen tral posi"on, The normal working circuit oi the motor, including the field-magnet windings 5 and 6, is thus completed, and the motor then operates to crank the engine.

Wifhen the engine starts under its own power, the switch member 16 is actuated to open the motor circuit is preferable it irechai' ously 111 c or conn' pine i speed. ti e motor s the armature circuit t .1310 machine to sh I eeaaoc the spring 9, whereupon the armature is shifted to its displaced position, and the pinion 15 is disengaged from the gear teeth 2. It is clear, therefore, that no damage may be caused by failure to open the switch at the instant the engine starts.

Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains, and it is to be understood that such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims without cleparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a starting mechanism, the combination with an engine member, and a member for coacting therewith, of a dynamo-electric machine having a longitudinally shittahle armature connected to said coacting member, and means for energizing said armature only to effect the connection of said members.

in a starting mechanism, the combination with an engine member. and a men her for coactinn' therewith of a oynan'io-ele machine living a longitudinally s armature connected to coactii and means for controll *3; said trio machine wher by the by reaction only to effect he operative engagement of said members.

3. in a starting mechanism, the co tion with an engine-member, and a :gor coacting therewith, of a dynamomachine having longitudinally armature connected to said coactiny her, and means for successively completing the armature circuit only of said dynamoclcctric machine nd completing a working circuit comprising the armature winding and the field-magnet winding of said dynamoelectric machine.

i. in a starting mechanism, the combinaan engine men'iber, and a member t to nd means for so,

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