Abstract: Between a relay terminal of a direct current motor and a contact terminal of an electromagnetic switch, there is provided a fuse which is melted to cut off an electric current upon reaching a predetermined temperature. By properly setting the predetermined temperature at which the fuse melts, it is possible to make the fuse heated to a high temperature and melted in a relatively short time to cut off the electric current in the event of, for example, a continuous operative condition caused due to such a failure as fusion adhesion of a movable contact point with a B-terminal and an M-terminal or fusion adhesion of a contact point mechanism outside a starter, or an overcurrent supply condition caused upon a rotor being locked.

Abstract: A control system for a remote vehicle starter which allows a remote vehicle starter to be activated at a preset time for a specific number of days after setting. According to the control operation, a setting sequence is detected. When the setting sequence is detected, a timer is started, which may be for example slightly less than twenty-four hours. Then, a vehicle is automatically when the timer expires. Such a control operation in the present invention allows a vehicle to be started automatically at the same time after an initial setting for a specific number of days.

Abstract: An annular housing extension for an engine starter housing which facilitates and assists in the installation of the engine starter onto an engine. The annular extension extends from a mounting flange and has an inner diameter to form a cylinder which substantially surrounds and is concentric with a pinion gear of an engine starter. The annular extension may be provided as an integral part of a starter housing or as a separate piece. The annular extension is provided with a leading edge which is rounded to form a chamfer and preferably has a radius of curvature which approaches, and most preferably, equals the diameter of a cylindrical outer wall of the annular extension.

Abstract: In a starter control system for an engine equipped with a starter motor, starter relay, ignition switch, and electronic control unit (ECU), a first circuit and method whereby the ECU will deactivate the starter relay if the operator of a vehicle attempts to re-start the vehicle when the measured engine speed is greater than the minimum engine running speed, under both initial starting and engine running conditions and a second circuit and method whereby the ECU will warn the vehicle operator if the starter pinion gear has not disengaged from the engine ring gear after the measured engine speed has exceeded the minimum engine running speed thereby eliminating the need for an overrunning clutch on the starter assembly.

Abstract: A device for controlling an automobile vehicle starter motor contactor including a power contact controlling the supply of power to the electric motor of the starter motor and at least one coil controlling the movement of said contact, said device including a unit for controlling the starter motor and a transistor controlled by said unit that controls the energizing of the coil(s) of the contactor, wherein the control unit includes means for turning off the transistor if, between two successive times following closing of the starter switch, the voltage drop at a point connected to receive the battery voltage is smaller than a given threshold.

Abstract: An integrated security door lock system which combines a vehicle security system with a remote controlled engine starting system so as to start a vehicle's engine, air conditioning; and to start an engine at a preset time or temperature and the alarm system of a vehicle by way of a remote control transmitter.

Abstract: An engine controller provides for automatic starting of an internal combustion engine and engagement of a clutch to bring a driven load into motion. Automatic stopping and clutch disengagement is also provided. The engine controller is equipped with an operator interface which can be used by an operator to issue instructions to the controller. This operator interface can be implemented as a local keyboard display or as a remote communications link. The operator interface is also able to communicate changes in engine operating parameters so that starting performance can be improved and the engine can easily be adapted to different conditions and applications.

Abstract: A starter has a motor, output shaft driven by the motor, a pinion moving body mounted on the output shaft and engageable with a ring gear, an electromagnet switch, and a rotation restricting member driven by the electromagnet switch to engage and restrict rotation of the pinion moving body until engagement of a pinion gear with the ring gear. To protect the pinion rotation restricting member, continued engagement of the rotation restricting member with the pinion moving body is released by a guide when the pinion moving body rotates a predetermined angle. Further, to protect the pinion moving body, the pinion moving body is advanced closely to the ring gear and thereafter the motor is allowed to rotate so that the pinion engages the ring gear at low rotation speeds.

Abstract: A starter has a housing formed with a fitting part and a flange on the outer periphery thereof. The fitting part is in circular shape when viewed in the axial direction and is press-fitted, in the socket-and-spigot joint manner, into a fitting hole of an engine-side body with the flange being in abutment with a fitting plane of the engine-side body. The outer diameter Ho of the fitting part is set larger than the axial length of the center of gravity of an armature of a starter motor from a fitting plane of the flange.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system includes an engine control computer operable to control engine fueling in a normal mode of operation according to operator demand via an accelerator pedal, and a code interface module responsive to a predefined security code to set the engine control computer in a secure mode of operation. In the secure mode, two fuel enabling values in the engine fueling algorithm are altered. Specifically, an engine startup enable value is altered so that the engine control computer disables fueling if the engine is not running, to thereby prevent an unauthorized individual from starting the engine. Likewise, an accelerator enable value is altered so that the engine control computer disregards the accelerator signal and controls fueling of the engine to thereby maintain an engine idling condition. The control computer is reset to its normal fueling control mode by re-entering the security code.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a detector for detecting the presence of a valid radio frequency transmitter only within a seating space inside the vehicle. Start control circuitry is responsive to a RUN signal, provided that the detector has detected the presence of a valid radio frequency transmitter within the seating space, to unlock a steering column lock, activate an engine electric power circuit and a start motor, repeatedly receive an engine speed signal from the engine speed signal generator and compare the received engine speed signal to a predetermined speed reference indicating engine starting. The start motor is deactivated and a park lock solenoid is activated when the engine speed signal exceeds the speed reference. Alternatively, the engine electric power circuit and start motor are deactivated and the column lock is locked if the engine speed signal does not exceed the speed reference within a first predetermined time.

Abstract: A device for alarming a car that has already been started, which is capable of audibly informing of starting of the car so as to prevent the starting system of the car from being driven in a state that the engine has started. The device includes a starting sensing unit for sensing whether or not an engine of the car has started, a key position sensing unit for sensing the current switch position of a starting key, an audio converter for generating an audio signal in accordance with an output signal from the key position sensing unit, and a speaker for outputting the audio signal so as to audibly inform of a starting state of the engine. The key position sensing unit has a comparator adapted to compare the output signal from the key position sensing means with a reference value, thereby determining whether or not the engine has started and sends the resultant signal from the comparator to the audio converter.

Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a magnetic switch connected to a remote start control module for remotely starting the engine of a vehicle having a manual transmission. The control device includes a rotational device rotatably mounted adjacent to the magnetic switch and includes a line for rotating the rotational device relative to the magnetic switch. The line is attached to a gear shift of the manual transmission and rotates the rotational device to a closing position for closing the magnetic switch. The rotational device includes an upper disc having a plurality of cavities for receiving a magnet at the closing position to close the magnetic switch and to make an electrical connection with the remote start control module for remotely starting the engine of a vehicle with a manual transmission.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine starting apparatus uses a signal from a curt sensor to determine when the engine is energized and the starter motor should be de-energized. One embodiment comprises a transmitter, receiver, computer processing unit, current sensor and relays to energize a starter motor and subsequently de-energize the same when the engine is running. Another embodiment comprises a switch, current transducer, low-pass filter, gain/comparator, relay and a plurality of switches to energize and de-energize a starter motor. Both embodiments contain an indicator lamp or speaker which alerts an operator as to whether a successful engine start has been achieved. Both embodiments also contain circuitry to protect the starter and to de-energize the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic starting and stopping apparatus for an engine, which prolongs the lives of mechanical components such as a starter motor and which is applicable also to automatic vehicles. The automatic starting and stopping apparatus for an engine comprises a vehicle-to-vehicle distance sensor 29, which detects whether the distance from the preceding vehicle is less than a preset value, a signal color identifying and detecting device 30, which identifies whether the lit color of the signal is yellow or red, a car speed sensor 15, and a control circuit 31, which performs automatic start and stop of the engine in accordance with the detection results of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance sensor 29 and the signal color identifying and detecting apparatus 30.

Abstract: A coaxial starting motor comprises a d.c. motor whose armature has a hollow rotary shaft projected at its end forwardly, and which has a rear end provided with an electromagnetic switch which is arranged to be coaxial therewith, and which has a movable core attracted by a fixed core on energizing an exciting coil to forwardly move a movable rod with the movable core and causing a movable contact supported by the movable rod to get in touch with a fixed contact wherein the electromagnetic switch has a fixed core partitioning a contact chamber and a movable core chamber so as to prevent contact powder from entering the movable core chamber and hamper the sliding motion of the movable core.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle starter in which a temperature sensor may sense a temperature of the engine. The vehicle starter may then remotely crank a starter motor of the vehicle. The duration of time that the starter motor is cranked will be based on the sensed temperature. In this way, a vehicle can be cranked for an appropriate amount of time without requiring any tachometer sensing operation. Also, to insure that the vehicle has been properly started, after a signal to remotely start the vehicle is transmitted, a first battery voltage is measured. Then, the ignition to the vehicle is turned on so that all turned on accessories will have power supplied thereto. A battery voltage is then again measured, this battery voltage representing the battery voltage with a load applied thereto from the turned on accessories having power supplied thereto. The vehicle is then automatically started.

Abstract: A starting motor with an intermediate gear wherein rotation of a rotating shaft of a DC motor is transmitted to a pinion in a one-way rotational direction by an overrunning clutch, and an intermediate gear supported rotatably and forward-and-backward slidably by an intermediate shaft retained by insertion holes in a front end portion and a first back end portion of a front bracket and in mesh with the pinion, meshes with a ring-gear of an internal combustion engine by a forward movement thereof thereby starting the internal combustion engine, characterized by that; a polygonal hole is provided at a second back end portion of the front bracket communicating to the insertion hole in the first back end portion thereof; a spacer composed of a metallic material or a synthetic resin material, a section of which is a polygon, is inserted into the polygonal hole and fixed thereto blocking rotation thereof; a back end of the spacer is received by a front end of a yoke of the starting motor contacting the front end of

Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine including mechanical components subject to an impact load during operation including a shift lever, internal gear, gear cover formed integrally with the internal gear, front case, center bracket, and brush holder disposed in a rear bracket. At least one of the mechanical components is formed of a synthetic resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 90.degree. C. such as an aromatic copolymer and nylon series, whereby a workability and an impact load absorbing capacity of the mechanical components as well as the bending rupture strength are capable of withstanding an impact load caused by an abnormal operation of the starter at a high environmental temperature greater than 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Engine-driven equipment includes a stopped-engine detector and a mechanism for safely shutting down the engine, including battery operated auxiliary devices, after detection that the engine has stopped. The engine may be shut down simply by closing a gas cock in the fuel line, but whatever the cause of engine stoppage, auxiliary devices are permitted to run for a predetermined time after stoppage to, for example, cool the engine or maintain warm glow plugs for easier restarting. If the gas cock is used to stop the engine, the engine will continue to run until fuel remaining in the fuel line has been expended, and then safely and automatically shut-down.

Abstract: A novel automatic remote car starting unit is presented which is activated by the audible signal from a telephone pager. The unit receives the audible signal from the pager and activates the ignition and throttle of a vehicle. Timers allow the ignition cycle to start the vehicle and shut off the unit if the car fails to start. The oil pressure and water temperature of the engine are monitored and the unit shuts off the car in case the oil pressure or water temperature become dangerous. The vehicle's air conditioning or heater may also be activated to cool or heat the car to a desired level. Once the engine is running and the desired climatic level is reached, the vehicle's horn signals that the car is ready to drive.

Abstract: The starting device for an internal combustion engine includes a housing, an electrical drive motor (10) with a drive shaft (16), a starting pinion (12) for engagement with a rim gear of the engine and an intermediate gear (11) making an operative connection between the drive shaft and the starting pinion. For damping or absorption of the shocks and preventing fractures arising from the compression stroke of the starting engine the starting pinion (12) is connected directly or indirectly nonrotatably with the gear shaft (24) of the intermediate gear (11) and the gear shaft (24) is coupled with a hollow wheel (21) via an elastic damping ring (34). The drive shaft (16) meshes with its outer toothing (19) in the internal toothing (20) of the hollow wheel. The hollow wheel (21) is received in a bearing (25) in the housing and the damping ring (34) is made of rubber or plastic, is inserted in the hollow wheel (21) and, surrounds the gear shaft (24 ).

Abstract: An electromagnetic push-out unit which controls engagement and disengagement between a pinion gear and a ring gear for an engine in a starter device via a non-magnetic cylindrical member disposed concentrically with a pinion shaft mechanically coupled to an electrical motor.

Abstract: A system for remotely starting model toy internal combustion engines, used for propulsion of the model toy, such as an airplane, helicopter, boat, automobile, or other similar vehicles. The starter mechanism being contained in a single case, coupled to a single gear attached to the model engines crankshaft. The starter case being sufficiently small so as to allow it to be mounted directly to the model toys internal combustion engine. An electrical starter motor attached to the starter mechanism case, for cranking the engine, operating from the internal batteries on board the model toy. A remotely controlled servo starting circuit that energizes the engines ignitor plug, allowing sufficient preheat time, and activates the starter motor, from signals provided by the radio receiver on board the model toy vehicle.

Abstract: An interfacing system for integrating a wide variety of cellular communication systems with most vehicle security systems. The system includes a controller and an interfacing arrangement for matching the cellular telephone to the controller. The interfacing arrangement includes a library, stored in memory, having a plurality of unique translation tables corresponding to the protocols of a plurality of unique cellular communication systems. The interfacing arrangement further includes an initializing capability for selecting an operating protocol for the interfacing system from the library which is compatible with the protocol of the cellular communication system. Hardware and software are included for interfacing the vehicle security to the controller and for interfacing the controller to the vehicle. In a specific embodiment, the selection of cellular telephone type or make is made from the keypad of the cellular telephone.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter device comprises an overrunning clutch device having a clutch inner member and a pinion shaft with a pinion at an end, the pinion shaft being inserted in the clutch inner member so as to be engageble therewith by helical splines formed at the pinion shaft and the clutch inner member so that a torque is transmitted from the clutch inner member to the pinion shaft and a radial load by the pinion shaft is borne by the helical spline of the clutch inner member, wherein the helical splines of the clutch inner member and the pinion shaft have radially contacting portions wherein the outer surfaces of the teeth of the helical spline of the clutch inner member are in slide-contact with the corresponding parts of the helical spline of the pinion shaft, and have radially non-contacting portions wherein the other portions of the helical spline of the clutch inner member face, with gaps, the corresponding parts of the helical spline of the pinion shaft, and wherein the total surface area of the rad

Abstract: An engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, a solenoid switch for energizing the electric motor and having a push rod extending into the hollow armatur rotary shaft, an output rotary shaft having a pinion disposed on a front end thereof, the output rotary shaft being axially slidable relative to the armature rotary shaft to move the pinion into and out of engagement with an engine ring gear. A clutch outer member of an over-running clutch unit is mounted on the output rotary shaft and is connected to the electric motor for being rotated thereby, and a clutch inner member driven by the clutch outer member through a plurality of rollers is provided with helical splines on its inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: An electromechanical apparatus and method for remotely controlling operation of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus using state-of-the-art transmitting and receiving circuitry for secure sending and receiving of control command signals. Further security being provided by limiting engine operation, after starting, to an idling condition. Limiting time allowed to attempt to start an engine and to start and run the engine after generation of a control command signal. Providing control capability to terminate engine operation and actuation by the apparatus by a remote command signal.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises an elongated pinion shifter unit 23 axially slidably mounted on an output rotary shaft 21 coupled to a d.c. motor for rotation therewith, and includes a pinion 8 mounted at a first end of the unit and a unidirectional clutch 6 disposed at a second end. A first sleeve bearing 24 is disposed between the first end of the pinion shifter unit and the output rotary shaft, and a second sleeve bearing 25 is disposed between the second end of the pinion shifter unit and the output rotary shaft. The first and the second sleeve bearings are spaced apart from each other, and the first sleeve bearing is made of a material wear resistant under a relatively large load, such as an iron-based material, and the second sleeve bearing is made of a material wear resistant under a high speed rotation condition, such as a copper-based material.

Abstract: An automobile engine starter includes a controller for monitoring the internal temperature of the vehicle and generating a temperature signal when that temperature falls outside a predetermined range. The vehicle is also equipped with a mobile telephone or radio receiver that may receive a signal from a remote location to generate a remote starting signal that may be combined with the temperature signal to start the engine when both signals are present.

Abstract: In a starter protective device, a sensor detects the operating conditions of the engine, a decision unit having a detecting section for detecting starting conditions and a controlling section for changing, according to the starting conditions provided by the detecting section, reference values for determining whether or not the engine has been started provides a start completion decision output when it is determined from the reference values that the engine is in operation, and in response to the start completion decision output the starter is deenergized, whereby the starter is lengthened in service life.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter device comprises a motor having a dubular armature rotary shaft 22a, a rotary output shaft 3 partially inserted in the tubular armature shaft from its one side, the rotary output shaft being provided with a pinion 4 to be engaged with a ring gear of an engine, a driving force transmitting unit, disposed at one side of the motor and between the armature rotary shaft and the rotary output shaft, comprising a roller type overrunning clutch 30 and a planet gear wheel type speed reducing mechanism 10 for reducing a revolutional speed of the armature rotary shaft, and an electromagnetic switch, disposed at the other side of the motor, which causes the pinion of the rotary output shaft to engage with or disengage from the ring gear of the engine.

Abstract: An overhang-type starter comprising a ball bearing fixedly fitted in a front bracket; a pinion drive shaft supported by the bearing; and a pinion formed on the shaft at the front end thereof so that the pinion is located in front of the bearing at least when the pinion is moved forward, wherein a water drain hole is provided in the ball bearing support portion of said bracket at the lowermost point of the portion and communicates with the interior of the bracket.

Abstract: It is known to remotely control an automobile component and like devices. However, security, to protect against unauthorized control, and the user's ignorance of the condition of the remotely controlled component, remain problems. This invention provides a security code mechanism to protect against unauthorized communications from controlling the component; and two way communications between the user's remote controller and the component, so that the user is informed of the condition of the controlled component.

Abstract: A starting apparatus includes an engine for driving a device such as a compressor, a starting motor by which the engine is brought into operation and a rectifier supplying a high DC voltage to the starting engine during operation thereof and supplying a low DC voltage to one or more electric components in the device while the starting motor is not in use. Thus, excess DC is prevented from being supplied to one or more components which operate under a low DC voltage, thereby preventing damage thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote control system and a method of remotely operating selected functions of a vehicle that is operated by an engine. The system comprises a remote control unit and a vehicle operation unit. The remote control unit has a keyboard for selecting a personal code and also for selecting one or more function codes which are designed to be executed by the vehicle operation unit. An encoding circuit generates a code which corresponds to the personal code and a function code. A transmitter is provided with the remote control unit for transmitting signal codes. The vehicle operation unit has a receiver and a decoder for receiving an verifying the personal code and the function code. A processing unit is provided with the vehicle operation unit to process the codes and to operate interface circuits which operate functions of the vehicle corresponding to the function code.

Abstract: A foot controlling engine start, stop and brake system, characterized by a control circuit arranged among an ignition switch, a starter motor, a brake, an accelerator and a generator for controlling automatic stop of the starter motor by feeding back the output voltage of the generator or a frequency (engine speed) enable one to control the engines start, stop and brake by one's foot.

Abstract: Electrical control apparatus for automatically starting a Diesel engine. The apparatus includes start, preheat and run relays which respectively control the energization of a starting solenoid, glow plugs, and a fuel solenoid. The energization of the start, preheat and run relays is controlled by a control module which drives the preheat relay as soon as the control module is energized. The glow plug preheat time is measured, and the run and start relays are respectively energized just prior to, and at the termination of the preheat time. Engine cranking time and speed are monitored, dropping the start and preheat relays when the engine starts, and also when the engine speed fails to reach certain thresholds within first and second predetermined periods of time. The run relay continues to energize an electrical circuit which includes an engine reset switch and a low oil pressure switch. The engine reset switch de-energizes the control module, and thus the run relay, in the event the engine fails to start.

Abstract: A power supply to various electric accesaries of a vehicle is stopped when an instruction of engine starting is given after a engine key switch is turned on. An excitation current of an electromagnetic switch of an engine starter increases gradually with time and after checking various conditions necessary to start the engine therafter, the supply of the excitation current is blocked until a completion of engine starting is decided when the checking shows some problem on engine start and a power supply to the various electric accessaries is allowed after a completion or blocking of the excitation current.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a starter for starting an internal combustion engine which comprises:(a) a starter motor having a starter shaft;(b) a pinion gear splined to the starter shaft so as to be slidable along the starter shaft for connection and disconnection of the starter motor to the engine;(c) a shifting motor having a shifting shaft;(d) a sliding means helical splined to the shifting shaft for a reciprocal movement along the shifting shaft according to a rotational movement of the shifting shaft; and(e) a shift arm for transmitting the reciprocal movement of the sliding means to the pinion gear so as to move the latter for connection and disconnection of the starter motor and the engine.

Abstract: A pair of electrical generators (14,16) are installed on a jet engine (10). The generators (14,16) are coupled to each other in a manner so that together they can be used as crank motors to start the engine.

Abstract: A starter relay disposed in the housing of an electric starter of an internal combustion engine. The starter relay has a pair of stationary contact members electrically connected by a movable bar contact. The movable bar contact is mechanically linked to an annular relay armature which is axially displaceable by an annular electromagnetic coil. A coil spring produces a force biasing the relay armature away from the electromagnetic coil and the movable bar contact away from the contact members. In the preferred embodiment the operation of the power relay is transparent to the operation of the starter drive mechanism and the annular electromagnetic coil is the electromagnetic coil of the existing started drive mechanism.

Abstract: A remote control automobile engine starting apparatus has a remote control unit with a transceiver for transmitting engine starting and automobile heater and air conditioner control signals to a remotely controlled starting circuit within the automobile. The starting circuit makes a first attempt at starting the automobile engine and, if the first attempt fails, a second attempt is automatically made. Safety features include a hood switch, automatic door locks, a remotely controlled engine kill switch, and a timer for stopping the engine after it has run for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An engine starting cycle cranking and rest period timing circuit and an overcrank shut down circuit includes a 24 stage frequency divider connected to starting motor relays, and an engine starter disconnect circuit and a start signal circuit functioning to provide a predetermined number of engine starter motor cranking periods followed by rest periods. The frequency divider circuit is connected to provide coordination of the starter motor cranking cycle with an overcrank signal generated by the frequency divider. An overcrank signal will activate only when all three output terminals of the frequency divider circuit are simultaneously of the same signal amplitude which will always occur at the predetermined maximum number of crank periods.

Abstract: An automatic starting and electronic detection system for remotely starting a vehicle and scanning the vehicle's electrical system components for explosives or to detect malfunctions. The system includes a clock and remote-control receiver and transmitter combination which are electrically connected to the battery and operable to be energized for selectively connecting a current signal from the battery to the balance of the system including the starter circuit of the vehicle. The electronic detection device includes a cascade arrangement of timers for actuating various vehicle lights and accessories, and the vehicle's horn, in a predetermined sequence of sufficient duration to give a vehicle operator feedback for each step in the sequence.

Abstract: A remote control engine starter apparatus for remotely starting an engine. A manually operable transmitter generates a signal, which is detected by a receiver when the receiver, is activated. A timer mounted in the vehicle and connected to the engine battery provides an output at a pre-determined time which connects electrical power through an on/off switch mounted on the vehicle engine to a first relay. The first relay connects electrical power from the vehicle battery to the receiver for powering the receiver. A second relay, energized by the first relay connects power to the starter relay of the engine to provide electrical power to the starter motor of the engine when an output from the timer means and a signal from the transmitter has been detected by the receiver.

Abstract: A two cycle internal combustion engine (21) is remotely started and operated by a control (23) including a programmable microprocessor (42) selectively operable by a remote start command station (25) operating through an interconnected cable or telecommunications and a local start command station (24). Engine speed and temperature are sensed to modify the fuel and/or the air/fuel ratio supplied to the engine (21) to efficiently start and run the engine (21) under severe adverse climatic conditions and to reinitiate cranking when engine speed fails to reach predetermined levels following predetermined cranking periods. When running, a load (36) is automatically connected and disconnected in response to the sensed operating conditions of the engine (21) while modifications are selectively made to the fuel and air/fuel ratio and/or cranking reinitiation is applied according to sensed operating parameters.

Abstract: In a so-called stop-start device for a motor vehicle engine particular consuming devices in the motor vehicle are changed over to a mode of operation with a lower current consumption, when the engine is switched off, or a switching-off of the engine is prevented, when functionally important consuming devices are switched on. Thus one achieves an appropriate compromise between saving of fuel and a satisfactory charge condition of the battery.

Abstract: An engine of a motor vehicle is automatically stopped under predetermined conditions and automatically restarted under other predetermined conditions. The engine is restarted by a starter which is driven in response to an engine start signal. In automatically restarting the engine, the engine start signal is generated when restart conditions are fulfilled and a starter command is generated in a microcomputer. An operation of a clutch pedal is one of the restart conditions. The clutch pedal is provided therearound with a lower switch and an upper switch to detect an amount of a depression of the clutch pedal. The starter command is masked for a predetermined period of time starting from the time when the upper switch is turned OFF from the upper switch has been ON.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically starting and stopping an engine comprising a clutch switch for detecting that the depression of a clutch pedal of a vehicle is completely performed, a neutral switch for detecting the neutral position of a transmission, a vehicle speed sensor for generating a travel signal by detecting the travel of the vehicle, condition detecting means for detecting the operation maintaining condition of the engine, and control means for automatically stopping the engine by interrupting the energization of an ignition circuit when receiving a detection signal of the neutral switch and not receiving the detection signals of the vehicle speed sensor and the condition detecting means and automatically starting the engine by energizing the ignition circuit and a starter when receiving a detection signal of the clutch switch and not receiving the detection signals of the neutral switch, said vehicle speed sensor and the condition detecting means.