US3727070A

US3727070A - Remote control automobile engine starting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3727070A
Application number: US00188075A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Liang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-10-12
Filing date: 1971-10-12
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

Remote control automobile engine starting apparatus having a remote control panel, an electrically energized solenoid having a plunger connected to throttle linkage of the engine carburetor for increasing fuel flow, circuitry including relays energized by manually operated switches on the control panel for connecting the automobile battery to the engine ignition coil and a starting motor solenoid switch, and a vacuum operated switch responsive to changes in air pressure in the carburetor intake for opening circuitry between the battery and the starting motor solenoid switch when the engine is started.

Description

e [22] Filed:

United'States Patent [191 Liang REMOTE CONTROL AUTOMOBILE ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: George H. K. Liang, 526 East 16th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.': 188,075

s2 U.S.Cl.. ..290/38, 290/37 51 Int, Cl. ..H02p 9/04 58 Field of Search ..290/36, 37, 3s, 38 L [56] References Cited A UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,455,403 7/1969 Hawthome ..290/38 3,041,463 6/1962 Huron et a1. .....290/38 3,163,770 12/1964 Smedley ..290/38 3,130,318 4/1964 Curtis .....290/38 3,633,040 1/1972 Baxter ..290/38 [451 Apr. 10, 1973 3,553,472 l/197l Arlandson ..290/38 3,078,834 2/1963 Wright ....290/DIG.3

3,053,989 9/1962 Poole et al ..290 /DlG. 3

Primary Examiner-G. R. Simmons Attorney-Brian J. Wood ABSTRACT Remote control automobile engine starting apparatus having a remote control panel, an electrically energized solenoid having a plunger connected to throttle linkage of the engine carburetor for increasing fuel flow, circuitry including relays energized by manually operated switches on the control panel for connecting the automobile battery to the engine ignition coil and a starting motor solenoid switch, and a vacuum operated switch responsive to changes in air pressure in the carburetor intake for opening circuitry between the battery and the starting motor solenoid switch when the engine is started.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing figures sum 1 UF2 S a w a 5:535

\WN \WNJI I W I E N I I'll PATENTEDAPR 1 01m Aim Mw lllllllllll'llllllllllllll PATEHTEBAPR 1 01975 sum 2 HF 2 a 9 A? 9 0 0 w j a f 7/ 3 5 a M m m2 m 7 0 6 77 3? Mg 96/.9M// 8mm y e G. Trorey Agent REMOTE CONTROL AUTOMOBILE ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I The invention relates to operational circuitry arrangement for starting an internal combustion engine from a location remote from the automobile.

2. Prior Art v Internal combustion enginessuch as those used in automotive vehicles require an initial warming up perion for optimum operating effectiveness. Engine warm-up is particularly important where the vehicles are subject to extremely low'temperatures so as to avoid engine malfunction and to enable engine oil to warm-up sufficiently to provide adequate lubrication before thejengine is loaded.

Due to the inconvenience of having to sit in the automobile while the engine warms to operating temperature an operator usually starts his engine then returns shown in FIG. 2,

to his house or otherwarm area to wait until the engine has warmed to an operating temperature. The engine may stop after the operator has left the vehicle and further, vehicles have frequently been stolen in these circumstances.

Remote controlmechanisms have heretofore been devised and are used to enable an operator to start his vehicle engine from a remote location, for instance J from his house, so that the engine is warm before the operator actually enters the vehicle. Many such mechanisms use sources of, power extraneous of the vehicle battery itself and thus are not of any use where extraneous sources of power are not available. Other mechanisms require that the automobile ignition switch be closed' before starting thus making the vehicle available to unauthorized individuals.

SUMMARY oF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus for starting and stopping vehicle engines remote from the automobile itself which doesnot require that the-automobile ignition switch be on and which does not require a source of power extraneous to the automobile battery.

'The apparatus of the present invention further, includes indicators remote from the vehicle which give visual indication of engineand state of oil pressure.

In the present invention, ignition starting and carbua switch at a remote location so as to inject fuel into the carburetor and set the choke and fast idle.

A detailed description following related to drawings, gives exemplification of apparatus according to the invention which, however, is capable of expression in means other than those particularly described and illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an automobile engine and some ancillaries according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows apparatus and circuitry according to the invention connectable to conventional automobile ignition and starting circuitry,

FIG. 3 is a section of a vacuum FIG. 4 shows choke control linkage for manual choke carburetors,

FIG. 5 is acentral section of a delay mechanism of the choke control linkage shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 FIG. 1 shows an internal combustion automobile engine 5 having an automatic choke carburetor 6 and throttle linkage, generally 7 which, conventionally, includes a fast idle cam, not shown.

A storage'battery 10, FIG. 2, having a main lead 10.1

and grounded at 11 is connected through a wire 12 and a starter solenoid switch 13 to a starter motor 14. The starter solenoid switch is normally open and is closed through operation of a convention key controlled ignition switch 15 closure of which establishes, through wire 16 and 17, a circuit between the starter switch solenoid and the battery. Closure of the ignition switch alsoestablishes, through a wire 18, circuit connection between the battery and an ignition coil 19, the coil being connected to a distributor 21 through a wire 22. Closure of the ignition switch also establishes a circuit, through a wire 23, between the battery and a heater blower motorf24 when a blower motor switch 24.1 is closed. I

The apparatus and circuitry of the invention, generally 30, includes a remote control panel 31 which has be located in a house or other warm structure and which has a panel terminal block 32 having

terminals

33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 connectable through a suitable six wire cable 39 and plug and socket assembly 41 to a terminal block 42 suitably mounted in the engine compartment of the automobile. The terminal block 42 has terminals 33.1, 34.1, 35.1, 36.1, 37.1, and 38.1 which correspond to the terminals 33 through 38.

The circuitry of the invention includes, essentially, five circuits, as follows: (A) ignition circuit, (B) carburetor control circuit, (C) starting circuit, (D) first engine operating monitor circuit, (E) second oil pressure monitoring circuit.

A. Ignition Circuit The coil '19 is connected to the battery main lead 10.1 through a wire 42.1 and a relay 43 having a first normally open contact point pair 43.1. The relay 43 has a solenoid 45 which when energized by closure of a first switch 46 on the panel 31, closes the contact point pair 43.1,the switch being spring biased to a normally open position.

The switch'46 has a pivoted switch arm 47 having ON and OFF buttons 46.1 and 46.2 at opposite ends operable to open and close a pair of contacts 47.1 and 47.2. The contact 47.1 is connected through a wire 48, thence through the terminals 33 and 33.1 and a wire 49, to the battery main lead 10.1. The contact 47.2 is connected to an electromagnet 52, which is located operated switch beneath the arm 47, thence through wires 53 and 54 through .to'the solenoid 45 of the relay 43, thence to ground so that when the switch 46 is closed both the electromagnet 52 and the solenoid 45 of the relay 43 are energized thusestablishing current flow from the battery to the'coil.

tery main lead 10.1.-

B. Carburetor Control Circuit I The carburetor control circuit includes a grounded solenoid 57 which is connected through a wire 58 and a relay 59 to the battery main'lead 10.1, the relay 59 havinga contact point pair 61 and a grounded solenoid 62,

A spring 93 fits under compression between the washer 92 and the plate 85. An outer end portion 95 of the tube is reduced to provide a spigot for connection to a flexible hose 96 which has a connection, See FIG. 1, to the carburetor intake, so that pressure drop in the car-.

' bureto'r, when the engine starts, results in correspondthe solenoid 62 being connected through a wire 63, the I terminals 34.1 and 34, thence through 'a wire 64 and a lead 65 to the contact 47.2. Circuit between the battery through the solenoid 62 is established by operation of a pushbutton second switch 64.1in the wire 64, the push- .button switch 64.1 being normally spring biased to an open'position.

The solenoid 57 has a spring return plunger66 which is connected by a cable 67 to the throttle linkage of the carburetor. Movementof the plunger, when the solenoid 57 is energized, applies tension to the cable 67 so as to open the carburetor throttle, close the carburetor choke and set the fast idle cam. C. Starting Circuit The-starter solenoid switch 13 is connected in circuit to the battery main lead 10.1 through a relay 71 and a wire 72, the relay 71 havinga contact pointpair 73-and a solenoid '74. The -.wire 72 is connected through-a gear shift cut-off started switch 74.1 which, commonly is installed in automobiles having automatic transmissions, permitsengine starting only when the transmission is in park or in neutral. The solenoid 74 is energized by closure of a pushbutton third switch 75 on the remote control panel, the switch 75, like the switch 64.1,being springbiased to a normal. open position. The switch 75 is connected through a wire 76 to the lead 65, thence through terminals 37 and 37.1, through a wire 77 connected to the solenoid 74 and thence, through a normally, closed vacuum operated switch 78 which opens in response to pressure drop in the carburetor when the engine starts, to ground at 79. FIG. 3, I

' The switch 78, which is mounted on the automobile, has a chamber 81 closed at one end 82 by a flexible diaphragm 83 and closed. at an opposite end by a wall 84. The diaphragm. has a central plate 85 which carries an operating shaft 86, the shaft projecting through a stop plate 86.1. An exteriorly threaded tube 87.projects into the chamber through a threaded passage-88 in the wall 84. The tube can be adjusted longitudinally of the chamber and locked by a lock nut 89. The tube has a reduced inner end portion 91 for receiving a washer 92.

ing pressure drop in the chamber 81. I I I The switch operating shaft has a notch 98 which receives a free end 99 of a movable spring contact element 101 having contact points 101.1 and 101.2 at one end, an opposite end 102 of the element 101 being fixed in an insulator block 103 and grounded at 79. A

pair of

spring contact elements

106 and 107 having contact points 108 and 109 extend from the insulator block 103 parallel to, and on opposite sides of, the contact element 101. The contact element 106, see also FIG. 1, is connected to the wire 77 and the contact element.107 is connected to a wire 111, the purpose of which is described later. I

With the chamber 81 under atmospheric pressure the spring93 normally urges the plate against the stop plate 86.1, the contact points 101.1 and 108 then being closedand the contact points 101.2 and 109 I being open. When the engine starts, drop in pressure in the carburetor intake and corresponding drop in pressure in the chamber 81, results in inward deflection of the diaphragm away from the stop plate 86.1, the shaft moving the contact element 101 to a position in-which the contact points 101.1 and 108 are opened and the contact points 101.2 and 109 are closed-Pressure of the spring 93 can be varied by longitudinal adjustment of the tube 87 so that action of the switch can be adjusted to operating characteristics of most carburetors.

D. First Engine Operating Monitoring Circuit The first monitoring circuit, FIG. 1, includes an indicator light on the remote control panel which is connected to lead 65 through a wire 116 thence through the terminals 36 and 36.1 and through the wire 111- and thecontact elements 101.2 and 109 (when closed) of the vacuum operated switch 78 to ground at .79. The light 115, it is seen, glows only when the'contact points 101.2 and 109 are closed to indicate the en'- gine is running. E. Oil Pressure Monitoring Circuit I The oil pressure monitoring circuit includes an indicator light 117 which is connected to the lead 65 through a wire. 118 thence through the terminals 38 and 38.1.and through a wire 119 which is connected through a conventional oil pressure responsive switch 121 to groundat 122. The oil pressure switch 121 is normally closed and opens when engine oil pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

OPERATION When an automobile operator stores his automobile for the night he connects the automobile. and the remote panel by joining the plug and socket assembly 41. As the switch 46 is normally open allcircuits are also open.

In the morning the operator presses the'ON button 46.1 of the switch 46 so as to establish current flow from the battery to the coil 19 and, if switch 24.1 is closed, to the heater blower motor. He then, momentarily, closes the switch 64.1 which energizes the solenoid 57, movement of the plunger opening the throttle,

closing the carburetor choke and Setting the fast idle. He then presses the pushbutton 75 so as to close the starter solenoid switch 13 thus engaging the starter motor 14 and the engine. 3 I

Whenthe engine starts pressure drop in the carburetor intake results in opening of the contact points 101.1 and 108 and closure of the contact points 101.2 and 109 of the vacuum operated switch. This breaks the starting circuit which results in disengagement of the starter motor and the engine and at the same time establishes the circuit through indicator light 115. In theevent of faltering of the engine, which causes air pressure variation in the carburetor intake and flickering of the indicator light 1 15, the operator can increase fuel flow to the carburetor by momentarily closing the switch 64.1.

Malfunction of the engine lubricating system, which results in drop in oil pressure, is evidenced by glowing of the indicator light 117. If this should happen the operator can break all circuits and shut off his engine by pressing the OFF button 46.2 of the switch 46.

It is seen that all circuits bypass the ignition switch 15 which can remain open so that the ignition switch key can be removed from the ignition switch and the automobile doors locked, thus minimizing chance of theft of the automobile.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and'S FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 show adoption of the remote control starting apparatus for an automobile having a carburetor provided with a conventional manual choke operated by known control means. The carburetor is not shown in detail as construction thereof is well known.

The solenoid plunger 66 is connected by a cable 131, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, to choke control linkage, not shown, of the carburetorso that when the solenoid 57 is energized movement of the plunger 66 closes the choke. v

' The plunger 66 has an operating rod 132, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, which is connected, FIG. 4, to one end 133 of a lever 134 which is mounted for pivoted movement on a bracket arm 135. An opposite end 136 of the lever is connected to a delay unit 137 which, when the solenoid 57 is de-energized, delays return of the choke to an open position in a manner similar to choke operation of an automatic choke carburetor.

FIG. 5

The delay unit 137 has a fluid reservoir 138 having a large diameter port 140 opening into one end 141 of a passage 142 of a valve body 143. A housing 144 having opposite spaced side walls 145 and 146 is secured to the valve body at an opposite end 141.1 of the passage. The housing is divided by a flexible diaphragm 147 and the passage 142 opens into the housing through a port 148 in the wall 145 so that fluid from the reservoir 138 can flow into a chamber 149 provided between the wall 145 and thediaphragm 147. A check valve 151 is the passage 142 is normally maintained against a seat 152 by a compression spring 153 bearing against the wall 145 to prevent return of oil through the port 140.

The diaphragm 147 has a central stiffening plate 154. A rod 155 extends from the plate 154, through the wall 146 of the housing and has a pivotal connection at an outer end 156 with the end 136 of the lever 134, see

also FIG. 4. A compression spring 157 extending between the wall 146 and the plate 154 normally urges the plate 154 against the wall of the housing.

The valve body 143 has a bypass passage 161 ported at one end 162 into the opposite end 163 into the passage 142. Fluid flow through the passage 16] is regulated by a needle valve 164.

It is seen that with the use of the delay unit when the solenoid 57 is energized movement of the plunger 66 opens the throttle and closes the choke, and at the same time fluid is drawn into the chamber 149 as the diaphragm is moved away from the chamber wall 145. Movement of the diaphragm away from the wall 145 is rapid as the fluid can pass freely through the large diameter port 140. Return movement of the diaphragm, however, is retarded as fluid can return to the reservoir only through the passage 151, rate of flow being regulated by the needle valve to suit operational characteristics of the engine.

I claim:

1. A remote control starting apparatus for an automobile engine having a carburetor with controls for increasing fuel delivery and choking, a storage battery, an ignition system having a coil, a starter motor having a starter solenoid switch for connecting the starter motor and the battery, the apparatus including:

a. a remote control panel having normally open first,

second, and third switches,

a normally open circuit connecting the battery and the coil adapted to be closed by operation of a first relay connected to the battery through the first switch,

. a solenoid having a plunger connected to the carburetor fuel controls, the solenoid being adapted to be energized by the battery by operation of a second relay connected to the battery through the second switch on the remote panel so as to increase fuel delivery to the carburetor,

d. a normally open starter circuit connecting the starter solenoid switch and the battery adapted to be closed by operation of a third relay connected to the battery through the third switch on the remote control panel for connecting the starter motor and the battery,

e. an indicator light on the panel connected to the battery in a normally opened first monitoring circuit,

f. a normally closed vacuum-operated switch in circuit with the third relay and in the first monitoring circuit responsive to development of vacuum in the carburetor to open the starter circuit when the engine starts so as to disengage the starter motor and the battery and to close the first monitoring circuit when the engine starts for providing visual evidence of engine start, said vacuum-operated switch including;

a chamber communicating with the carburetor intake,

a flexible diaphragm closing one end of the chamber and being movable inwards and outwards of the chamber in response to variations in air pressure in the chamber,

a spring normally urging the flexible diaphragm in a direction outwards of the chamber,

an operating shaft connected at one end to the diaphragm for movement therewith,

' v a grounded contact element engaged with the operating shaft for movement therewith,

' a pair of contact elements one being connected in circuit with the third relay and the other being connected to the indicator light through the first monitoring circuit disposed on opposite sides of the grounded contact element, disposed so that the starting circuit is normally closed and opens only when the engine starts and the first monitoring'circuit is normally open and is closed only whenthe engine starts. v y

g 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the automobile having a manually operated choke, the apparatus including linkage connecting the solenoid plunger and the choke for closing the choke when the solenoid is energized and means for retarding movement of the solenoid under the action of its spring when the solenoid is de-energized so as to delay movement of the choke from a closed to an open position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for retarding movement 'of the solenoid when de-energized includes a chamber closed at one end by a diaphragm, an operating rod connecting the diaphragm to the solenoid plunger, a hydraulic reservoir provided with 'a large port into the chamber enabling rapid flow of oil into the chamber when the diaphragm is moved

Claims

1. A remote control starting apparatus for an automobile engine having a carburetor with controls for increasing fuel delivery and choking, a storage battery, an ignition system having a coil, a starter motor having a starter solenoid switch for connecting the starter motor and the battery, the apparatus including: a. a remote control panel having normally open first, second, and third switches, b. a normally open circuit connecting the battery and the coil adapted to be closed by operation of a first relay connected to the battery through the first switch, c. a solenoid having a plunger connected to the carburetor fuel controls, the solenoid being adapted to be energized by the battery by operation of a second relay connected to the battery through the second switch on the remote panel so as to increase fuel delivery to the carburetor, d. a normally open starter circuit connecting the starter solenoid switch and the battery adapted to be closed by operation of a third relay connected to the battery through the third switch on the remote control panel for connecting the starter motor and the battery, e. an indicator light on the panel connected to the battery in a normally opened first monitoring circuit, f. a normally closed vacuum-operated switch in circuit with the third relay and in the first monitoring circuit responsive to development of vacuum in the carburetor to open the starter circuit when the engine starts so as to disengage the starter motor and the battery and to close the first monitoring circuit when the engine starts for providing visual evidence of engine start, said vacuum-operated switch including; a chamber communicating with the carburetor intake, a flexible diaphragm closing one end of the chamber and being movable inwards and outwards of the chamber in response to variations in air pressure in the chamber, a spring normally urging the flexible diaphragm in a direction outwards of the chamber, an operating shaft connected at one end to the diaphragm for movemEnt therewith, a grounded contact element engaged with the operating shaft for movement therewith, a pair of contact elements one being connected in circuit with the third relay and the other being connected to the indicator light through the first monitoring circuit disposed on opposite sides of the grounded contact element, disposed so that the starting circuit is normally closed and opens only when the engine starts and the first monitoring circuit is normally open and is closed only when the engine starts.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the automobile having a manually operated choke, the apparatus including linkage connecting the solenoid plunger and the choke for closing the choke when the solenoid is energized and means for retarding movement of the solenoid under the action of its spring when the solenoid is de-energized so as to delay movement of the choke from a closed to an open position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for retarding movement of the solenoid when de-energized includes a chamber closed at one end by a diaphragm, an operating rod connecting the diaphragm to the solenoid plunger, a hydraulic reservoir provided with a large port into the chamber enabling rapid flow of oil into the chamber when the diaphragm is moved when the solenoid is energized, a check valve for closing the port for return flow of fluid and a restricted by-pass passage around the check valve and communicating with the oil reservoir and the chamber for permitting slow return of fluid to the reservoir.