US2071042A

US2071042A - Automatic starting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2071042A
Application number: US637164A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul H Maurer
Original assignee: Eclipse Machine Co
Current assignee: Eclipse Machine Co
Priority date: 1932-10-10
Filing date: 1932-10-10
Publication date: 1937-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1954-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1937. p MAURER 2,071,042

AUTOMATIC STARTING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY @cuu/ H m W Afro/Mir Feb. 16, 1937. 2,071,042

P. H. MAURER AUTOMATIC STARTING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 will IN l/lfN 71 m Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC STARTING MECHANISM Paul H. Maurer, Elmira, N. Y.,- assignor to Eclipse Machine Company, Elmira, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 10, 1932, Serial No. 637,164

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to engine starter controlling mechanism and more particularly to an arrangement whereby initiation of the starting operation is controlled by a manual switch, and the cranking operation is automatically interrupted responsive to the self-operation of the engine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel engine starter control which is simple and economical in construction and reliable and emcient in operation.

It is another object to provide such a device which is arranged to control the starting operation in a positive manner with the consumption of a small amount of electrical energy.

It is a further object to provide such a device which is arranged to prevent the accidental operation of the starting mechanism by inadvertent manipulation of the manual controlling device while the engine is self-operative.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic representation of one preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of an embodiment of the invention as applied to a starting mechanism of the manual shift type; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view of another embodiment of the invention in which the intake vacuum of the engine is utilized to assist in the control of the starting mechanism.

Referring first to Fig. l of the drawings, there is illustrated, a starting system for an internal combustion engine (not illustrated) comprising a battery I, grounded at 2 and connected by a lead 3 to a magnetically controlled connecting means in the form of a starting switch 4. Starting switch 4 is connected in turn by a lead 5 to the starting motor SM which is grounded at 6 to complete the starting circuit. It will be understood that the starting motor is arranged to be drivingly connected to the engine to be started by means of any suitable form of automatically connectible and disconnectible gearing as well known in the art.

The starting switch 4 is arranged to be operated by means of a solenoid I forming a part of a control circuit comprising the battery lead 3, a manually controllable switch 8 which is preferably the ignition switch of the engine as indicated, lead 8 connecting said switch to the solenoid l, and lead ll connecting said solenoid to the engine-driven generator G. Generator G is grounded as indicated at I2 whereby when the generator is stationary, the control circuit is completed therethrough. The grounding of the control circuit through the generator thus forms a means for deenergizing the control circuit and opening the starting switch due to the bucking action of the generator responsive to self-operation of the engine.

According to the present invention, the control circuit has inserted therein means in the form of a resistance element l3 for limiting the current flowing through said circuit to a mereholding value for the solenoid I. In other words, when the manually controllable switch 8 is closed, sufficient current may flow through the control circuit 15 including the resistance l3 to hold the starting switch 4 closed if it has been already closed, but this current is not sufficient to cause closure of the starting switch. In this embodiment of the invention, manually controllable means are pro- 20 vided for rendering the limiting means inoperative, thus causing closure of the starting switch.

As here shown, this means comprises a push button l4 suitably shunted around the resistance i3 whereby full energization of the solenoid I may 5 be secured by the manipulation of said push button when the ignition switch 8 is closed and the generator G is inoperative.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention and starting with the parts in their idle 30 positions as illustrated, closure of the ignition switch 8 causes a current to flow through the control circuit including solenoid l, resistance l3 and generator G, but this current is limited by the resistance l3 so that closure of the starting 35 switch 4 is prevented. Manipulation of the push button I4, however, shunts out the resistance l3, thus applying full battery voltage to the solenoid l, causing closure of the starting switch 4, and initiating the cranking operation. The cranking 0 operation continues after the release of the push button i4 since the current fiow through the control circuit including resistance I3 is sumcient to hold the starting switch 4 closed.

When the engine becomes self-operative, the generator G develops electro-motive force opposing the flow of current in the control circuit whereby the solenoid l is deenergized and the starting switch 4 allowed to open. Should the engine thereafter stall, it is merely necessary to momentarily close the push button switch i4 to cause the starting operation to be repeated. It will be understood that an inadvertent manipulation of the push button l4 while the engine is running does not cause actuation of the starting mechanism since at this tme the generator G is operative to prevent the energization of the solenoid I.

Should the engine fail to start for any reason, the cranking operation may be interrupted by opening the ignition switch 8.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the electrical circuits and the method of operation thereof are substantially similar to that disclosed in Fig. 1, the parts thereof being similarly numbered, but the solenoid l of the magnetic connecting means is arranged not merely to close the starting switch I, but to actuate a conventional form of starter gearing of the manual shift type indicated generally at l5. Energization of the solenoid I operates the shift to connect the starting motor with a member of theengine to be started, and thereafter closes the starting switch 4.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that closure of the ignition switch 8 causes a current to flow through the solenoid I which is limited by the resistance l3 to a value insufiicient to cause actuation of the starting mechanism and closure of the starting switch. Manipulation of the push button I4, however, causes the full energization of the solenoid I whereby the starter gearing I5 is moved into operative position and the starting switch 4 is closed, causing the cranking operation to take place. The cranking operation continues after the release of the push button M by reason of the holding current traversing the solenoid I and resistance l3 until the engine becomes self-operative, whereupon the generator G causes deenergization of the solenoid 1*, allowing the starting switch 4 to open and the starter gearing Hi to be disconnected.

It will be appreciated that the protective features of this device particularly with respect to the prevention of the actuation of the starting mechanism while the engine is self-operative are especially important in connection with this embodiment of the invention since noise and possible damage might be caused by the inadvertent connection of the starter gearing under such conditions.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the basic circuits are the same as illustrated in Fig. 1 and the elements thereof are similarly numbered. In place of the push button 14 illustrated in Fig. 1, however, there is provided an automatic controlling device normally rendering the limiting resistance inoperative but arranged to make said resistance efiective responsive to an additional function of self-operation of the engine, preferably the vacuum formed in the intake manifold thereof. As here illustrated, this controlling device is in the form of a switch comprising a movable element [6 normally connecting a pair of stationary contacts I! and I8 which are connected by leads l9 and 2| respectively to form a shunt around the resistance l3. The movable contact I6 is mounted on a flexible diaphragm 22 forming a wall of a closed chamber 23 arranged to be suitably connected as indicated at 24 to the intake system such as the intake manifold of the engine to be started.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, closure of the ignition switch 8 causes energization of solenoid 1 to close the starting switch 4 since the resistance i3 is shunted out by the switch element l6 which is normally in closed position. As soon as any appreciable vacuum is established in the intake manifold during the cranking operation, the diaphragm 22 will be actuated to move the switch member l6 to open position, but the cranking operation is not interrupted thereby since the resistance l3 allows sufficient current to fiow through the solenoid I to maintain the starting switch 4 in closed position.

As soon as the engine starts, the generator G prevents the flow of current through the control circuit, thereby deenergizing the solenoid I and allowing the starting switch 4 to open.

It will be understood that so long as the engine is turning over sufiiciently to actuate either the generator or the diaphragm 22, reactuation of the starting mechanism is prevented. Since there is ordinarily a high vacuum in the intake manifold when the engine is idling and since the generator is ordinarily rotating rapidly enough to generate an appreciable electro-motive force when the throttle is wide open, it will be appreciated that the functions of the two controlling devices are supplemental to each other in a large degree, whereby undesired actuation of the starting mechanism is effectively prevented.

When the engine comes to rest, the deenergization of the generator G and the release of the diaphragm 22 allows reestablishment of the control circuit at full value whereby the solenoid l is energized to repeat the cranking operation. If desired, means may be provided for maintaining the effectiveness of the limiting resistance for a predetermined time after the engine stops, in order to avoid the possibility of engaging the starting mechanism during a backrock of the, engine. form of a suitable constricting element such as indicated at 25 for retarding the action of the diaphragm 22 so as to prevent the cranking operation from taking place until a predetermined time after the engine has come substantially to rest.

It will be appreciated that this embodiment of the invention is applicable to the magnetic shift type of starting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 as well as to the automatically engaging type of starter gearing.

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that various other embodiments are possible and that changes may be made in the details and arrangements of the elements thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an engine starting system including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, means for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding value, means for rendering said limiting means inoperative, and means responsive to self-operation of the engine for making said limiting means effective.

2. In combination with an engine starting sys-- tem including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, means for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding. value, means for rendering said limiting means inoperative, and means responsive to self-operation of the engine for making said limiting means efiective: and means for maintaining the effectiveness of said limiting means for a predetermined time after the engine stops.

3. In combination with an engine starting sys- As here illustrated, this means is in the tem including a magnetic connecting means, a control circuit including energizing means therefor, a resistance in said control circuit for limit,- ing the energization of the connecting means to a holding value, means for normally shunting out said resistance, means responsive to engine intake vacuum for opening said shunt, and means for preventing reestablishment of the shunt for a predetermined time after dissipation of said vacuum.

4. In combination with an engine starting system including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, a resistance in said control circuit for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding value, means for normally shunting out said resistance, and means responsive to self-operation oi the engine for opening said shunt.

5. In combination with an engine starting system including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, means for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding value, means for rendering said limiting means inoperative, means responsive to self-operation of the engine for making said limiting means eflective, and means responsive to self-operation of the engine for deenergizing said switch magnet.

6. In combination with an engine starting sys tem including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, means for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding value, means for rendering said limiting means inoperative, means responsive to intake vacuum of the engine for making said limiting means efiective, and means responsive to the speed of rotation of the engine for deenergizing said switch magnet.

7. In combination with an engine starting system including a magnetic starting switch, a control circuit therefor including means for energizing the switch magnet to close the switch, a resistance in said control circuit for limiting the energization of the switch magnet to a holding value, means for normally shunting out said resistance, means responsive to intake vacuum of the engine for opening said shunt, a generator driven by said engine, and means responsive to the voltage of said generator for deenergizing said switch magnet.

8. In combination with an engine starting system including a starting motor, disengageable gearing for connecting said motor to a member of the engine to be started, a magnetic startin switch, means whereby closure of the magnetic starting switch causes engagement of said gearing, a control circuit for said magnetic switch including a resistance element for limiting the energization of the magnetic switch to a holding value, a manual switch for shunting out said resistance to cause closure of the magnetic switch and engagement of the gearing, and an enginedriven generator connected to oppose energization of the control circuit, cooperating with said resistance element to cause said magnetic switch to open responsive to self-operation f the engine at a predetermined speed.

9. In combination with an electrical starting system for internal combustion engines including a starting motor, disengageable gearing for connecting said starting motor to a member of the engine to be started, a source of current and a starting switch, means whereby closure of the starting switch causes engagement of said gearing, a control circuit for said starting switch including a magnetic actuating device for the switch and a resistance element in series with the actuating device suflicient to restrict the current in the control circuit to a holding value for the switch, means for bridging said resistance element to cause closure of the starting switch and engagement of said gearing, and an enginedriven generator connected to oppose energization of said control circuit and cooperating with said resistance element to weaken the energization of the control circuit sufliciently to open the starting switch responsive to self-operation of the engine at a predetermined speed.

10.- In combination with an electrical startin system for internal combustion engines including a motor, disengageable gearing for connecting said motor to a member of the engine to be started, a source of current supply and a magnetic starting switch, means whereby closure of the starting switch causes engagement of said gearing, a control circuit for said starting switch including manually controllable means for initially fully energizing the switch magnet, means for limiting the energization oi. the switch magnet to a holding value during the cranking operation, an engine-driven generator, and means whereby said generator cooperates with said limiting means to deenergize said switch magnet responsive to rotation of the engine at a predetermined speed.

PAUL H. MAURER.