Having Specific Mounting Or Drive Connection For Electric Starter Motor Patents (Class 123/179.25)
  • Patent number: 8356584
    Abstract: An engine is disclosed having a flywheel arrangement comprising a starter motor (1) having a pinion gear (2) at an output shaft. The pinion gear (2) constantly engages a corresponding crank gear of a crank wheel (3) located between an engine block and a flywheel assembly (9) of the engine. The crank wheel (3) is operatively connected to a crankshaft (4) of the engine via a one-way clutch unit (5). The flywheel assembly (9) comprises a first flywheel body (6) connected to the crankshaft (4) of the engine. A second flywheel body (7) is rotatable relative to the first flywheel body (6) and coupled thereto such that is able to move elastically through a limited angular distance relative to the first flywheel body (6). An interlocking device includes at least one locking arrangement (8) and is adapted to produce an interlocking connection between the second flywheel body (7) and the first flywheel body (6) during cranking of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Petter Almhagen, Peter Ulrik Gast, Jonas Forssell, Lars Johan Stenvall
  • Publication number: 20130008401
    Abstract: A Belt Driven Electric Starter System (BES) may have an idle pulley is composed of pivot point idle pulley forming pivot points at both sides of driving belt, which is wound on starter generator pulley and crank pulley, and driven idle pulley forming the fixing point, and a side of tension controller is fixed to engine and the opposite side is fixed to starter generator combined with starter generator pulley, such that it is possible to more effectively use the empty space without interference with the other portions in the entire layout of the BES. Further, excessive tension of driving belt due to starter generator when the engine is started can be attenuated by retraction of tension controller that moves with starter generator, while the excessive tension of driving belt due to crank pulley when electricity is generated can also be attenuated by extension of tension controller that moves with starter generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jongwon Lee, Hyounghyoun Kim
  • Patent number: 8290692
    Abstract: An engine-starting device for stopping the engine after satisfaction of an idling-stop condition during idling of a vehicle, starting rotation of a starter-motor upon satisfaction of a starter-motor rotation start condition, and causing a pinion gear to mesh with a ring gear upon satisfaction of a pinion gear meshing condition, includes the ring gear to be connected to a crank shaft, the pinion gear for transmitting the starter-motor rotation, a plunger for causing the pinion gear to mesh with the ring gear, and a starter control section for instructing energization of the starter-motor, in which the starter-motor is energized to be rotated upon the satisfaction of the starter-motor rotation start condition prior to clearing of the idling-stop condition in response to a restart request, and the pinion gear is caused to mesh with the ring gear by the plunger upon the satisfaction of the pinion gear meshing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitano, Masahiko Kurishige, Akihiko Imagi, Daisuke Mizuno, Koichiro Kamei, Kazuhiro Odahara, Naohito Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8290693
    Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine automatic stop and restart system performs restarting control by making the pinion pushing unit push out the pinion gear so as to engage with the ring gear, when the restarting condition is satisfied in a time period from a time when the automatic stopping condition is satisfied to a time when the rotation of the internal combustion engine stops. A throttle valve control unit opens the throttle valve even when the restarting condition has not been satisfied and stops control of the throttle valve in a time period from when the rotation of the internal combustion engine stops to when the restarting condition is satisfied, when the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine becomes lower than a predetermined value in a time period from when the automatic stopping condition is satisfied to when the rotation of the internal combustion engine stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shoda, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8276559
    Abstract: A method and a device are for the optimized starting of an internal combustion engine using a starter, which is connected to a capacitor store, the capacitor store being connected via a DC/DC converter to a vehicle electrical system of a vehicle, and the vehicle electrical system including an energy store for supplying electrical energy having a nominal voltage, and the starter consuming a starting energy for starting the internal combustion engine, which is a function of a temperature of the internal combustion engine, the temperature of the internal combustion engine being measured by at least one temperature sensor and the capacitor store being charged to a setpoint voltage with the aid of a battery via another DC/DC converter, which connects the battery in parallel to the capacitor store parallel to a switch, the setpoint voltage being set by a control unit such that the electrical energy stored in the capacitor store charged to the setpoint voltage is greater than the starting energy ascertained on the b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Holz, Michael Zillmer, Ekkehard Pott, David Prochazka
  • Publication number: 20120234281
    Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block. The starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear, and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is adapted to selectively drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. A fastener couples the drive plate to the outer race and compresses an elastomeric damper between the drive plate and the outer race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
  • Publication number: 20120234279
    Abstract: A starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a starter motor and a motion control mechanism. The starter motor includes a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine. The starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation. The motion control mechanism includes a mechanism pinion gear that is configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine. The mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120234280
    Abstract: A starter includes a shift lever that is engaged between a washer and a space collar and moves an output shaft in an axial direction, and a locking portion that is disposed between a snap ring attached to the output shaft and the shift lever to be movable on the output shaft and locks at least a part of an outer circumference portion of the snap ring when the shift lever is engaged between the washer and the space collar. An axial length of the locking portion is shorter than an axial movable length of the locking portion when the snap ring is attached to or removed from the output shaft and longer than the axial movable length of the locking portion when the shift lever is engaged between the washer and the space collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoaki KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120234282
    Abstract: An engine starting method in a parallel-type hybrid vehicle comprises a motor reverse rotation driving step of applying reverse rotation current to drivingly rotate a motor output shaft in a reverse rotation direction of an engine output shaft whereby an elastic member in a damper is elastically deformed to store an urging force that urges the motor output shaft in a normal rotation direction; an urged normal rotation step of stopping the electrification to release the urging force having been stored at the motor reverse rotation driving step whereby the motor output shaft is rotated in the normal rotation direction; a motor normal rotation driving step of applying normal rotation current to drivingly rotate the motor output shaft in the normal rotation direction; and an engine start igniting step of igniting an engine with the engine output shaft being rotated by the rotation at the motor normal rotation driving step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8267061
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of selecting an engagement mode when start of an engine is requested and when an engine speed is smaller than ?1; selecting a full drive mode; selecting a stand-by mode when start of the engine is completed; selecting a rotation mode when the engine speed is equal to or smaller than ?2 and greater than ?1, and selecting the full drive mode when fluctuation is predicted even when a difference Ndiff between rotation of a ring gear and rotation of a pinion gear is greater than a predetermined value ?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouki Moriya, Jumpei Kakehi, Hasrul Sany Bin Hashim
  • Patent number: 8261713
    Abstract: A cranking device of an internal combustion engine includes an electric machine having a drive unit, which electric machine is in mechanical operative connection with a commutator by way of an armature shaft. A protective element is disposed in the region of the drive unit, particularly the stator and/or armature, in such a way that a separating effect is provided with respect to an operating region of the commutator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Stoeckl, Mathias Fein
  • Patent number: 8251034
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a starting system for an engine of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a pre-spun starter for selective meshing with and starting of the engine, and a controller for controlling the starting of the engine. The method includes sensing of a rotational speed of the pre-spun starter, and sensing of a rotational speed of the engine. The method additionally includes regulating the rotational speed of the pre-spun starter to substantially synchronize the rotational speed of the pre-spun starter with the rotational speed of the engine. Furthermore, the method includes engaging the pre-spun starter gear with the engine, and applying torque by the pre-spun starter to the engine, such that the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Tariq O. Hashim
  • Patent number: 8245681
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine, particularly for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a housing, on which a mounting flange is developed that can be associated with the internal combustion engine, at least one insulating part being associated with the mounting flange, such that no electrical connection exists between the starter and the internal combustion engine. An internal combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle, has a starter as described above. A retaining flange for an electric motor, particularly for a starter of a motor vehicle, the retaining flange being developed as an insulating part, and is made up at least partially of an electrically insulating material and/or has at least one electrically insulating insulating element situated on the retaining flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Wanner, Wilhelm Post, Uwe Daurer, Jochen Kuch, Heinrich Otto Kuch, legal representative, Christa Elsa Kuch, legal representative, Oliver Neumann, Gerhard Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8240286
    Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele
  • Patent number: 8235020
    Abstract: An engine starter mounting structure is provided that basically has a starter housing part, a starter insertion part, a first flange part and a second flange part. The starter housing part has an internal portion that at least partially houses a portion of a starter. The starter insertion part is arranged to provide access to the internal portion of the starter housing part for inserting the portion of the starter into the internal portion. The first flange part is disposed on an end portion of the starter housing part with the first flange part including a fastening structure that is configured to fasten the starter thereto. The second flange part is disposed in the internal portion of the starter housing part, with the second flange part having a bolt hole that is arranged and configured to receive a bolt therethrough for interconnecting an engine and a transmission together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigetoshi Kashiwabara
  • Publication number: 20120180745
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching relay (1), particularly for a starting device for starting an internal combustion engine, having a contact device (5), a relay coil (2), an armature (3), and an actuating rod (4), wherein the actuating rod (4) is displaced placed by the armature (3) when current is applied to the relay coil (2) and the contact device (5) is actuated by the actuating rod (4), and having a contact ripping device by means of which the armature (3) and the actuating rod (4) are coupled to each other. In order to simplify assembly and disassembly, the contact ripping device is implemented having a latching device in the armature (3) .
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Biessenberger, Hartmut Wanner, Oliver Neumann, Uwe von Ehrenwall
  • Publication number: 20120160202
    Abstract: A method and a device for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the internal combustion engine exerting a drive torque on a crankshaft in one direction of the internal combustion engine, a starting motor exerting a starting torque on the crankshaft during a starting process to achieve a minimum rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and a control unit regulating the starting torque. The control unit regulates the starting torque in a time-dependent manner between a positive maximum starting torque and a negative minimum starting torque during the starting process, a positive starting torque acting on the crankshaft in one direction and a negative starting torque in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Henning Vogt, Uwe Hinrichsen, Andreas Schwenger
  • Patent number: 8196558
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Publication number: 20120125280
    Abstract: A starting torque transmission mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes an inner race coupled to a crankshaft, a ring gear to which a rotational driving force from a starter motor is transmitted, and an outer race coupled to the ring gear. A one way clutch, a ball bearing, and an inner seal member are provided between an inner circumferential surface of the outer race and an outer circumferential surface of the inner race. The inner seal member is provided closer to the outer side of an internal combustion engine main body than the one way clutch and the ball bearing in the axial direction of the crankshaft, and blocks oil leakage from between the inner circumferential surface of the outer race and the outer circumferential surface of the inner race. The oil supply passage formed at the inner race connects the outside of the inner race with the inner seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuaki Sugimura
  • Publication number: 20120103293
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary member and an output member adapted for starting the engine. The starter also includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. Each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets includes a first, a second, and a third gear member and each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets is operatively connected to the output member. The starter additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the first gear set and to the second gear set for driving the output member. A motor vehicle employing the disclosed starter is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Clyde A. Bulloch
  • Publication number: 20120103294
    Abstract: An engine starting device for an automatic idling stop system includes: a crank angle sensor for detecting a crank angle of an engine; a ring gear connected to a crankshaft of the engine, for transmitting rotation of the engine; ring gear rpm detecting section; a starter motor for starting the engine; a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor to the ring gear; pinion-gear push-out section for pushing out the pinion gear into meshing engagement with the ring gear; and pinion gear push-out control section for driving the pinion-gear push-out section to bring the pinion gear and the ring gear into meshing engagement when the ring gear rpm detected by the ring gear rotational speed detection section becomes smaller than a threshold value which is determined by at least one of the crank angle, a gear range, and a restart condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitano, Masahiko Kurishige, Daisuke Mizuno, Koichiro Kamei, Shiro Yonezawa, Kazuhiro Odahara, Naohito Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8166945
    Abstract: A starter and accessory drive system and method for hybrid drive vehicles is provided. The invention isolates the accessory drive system from the transfer of torque between a starter motor and the crankshaft of the engine. In one embodiment, a dedicated flexible drive member transfers torque from the starter motor to the crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment, a torque transfer control is employed to selectively apply torque from the starter motor to the accessory drive, to drive the accessories when the engine is stopped, and/or to the engine crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment of the invention, the accessory drive is isolated from the engine crankshaft and is instead driven by a drive motor on the accessory drive while the engine crankshaft is connected to a starter motor and/or generator which can be energized to re-start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Gary J. Spicer, Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Robert J. Laing, Larry J. Ferriman
  • Publication number: 20120097124
    Abstract: A starter motor for engine has a flywheel fixed to a shaft of the engine. A support is fixed relative to the engine. A space is formed between the flywheel and the support and a driving device is installed in the space. The driving device includes a stator fixed to the support and a rotor fixed to the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Guo Ji ZHANG, Jin Yun Gan, Li Sheng Liu, Yue Li
  • Patent number: 8161933
    Abstract: A starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine the arrangement including a starter motor having a pinion gear coupled to an output shaft, the pinion gear being arranged in constant engagement with a corresponding crank gear of a crank wheel located between an engine block and a flywheel of the engine. The crank wheel is operatively coupled to a crankshaft of the engine via a one-way clutch unit loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the crankshaft including a circumferential slot carrying a clip ring. The one-way clutch unit including a tube shaped hub loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the axial movement of the one-way hub is fixed via a clip-ring in co-operation with a first axially delimiting member and a second axially delimiting member at least partially enclosed by the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Gast, Jonas Forssell, Lars Stenvall, Petter Almhagen
  • Publication number: 20120090569
    Abstract: A drive mechanism 1 comprises a combustion engine 3 and a start system 5 which has an output 7 that is connected to a camshaft 9 of the combustion engine. The start system further includes a flywheel 11 and connecting means connecting the flywheel to the output. The connecting means comprise a clutch 13 and a gear reduction 15. The start system 5 further includes a drive source 17 formed by an electromotor which is directly connected to the flywheel 11 or which is connected to the connecting means between the clutch 13 and the flywheel 11. The maximum power that can be delivered by the drive source 17 is just sufficient to maintain the flywheel at the proper r.p.m. If the drive source 17 is turned on, it thus delivers just sufficient power to maintain the flywheel at the proper r.p.m. The maximum power of the drive source is in this case 50 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DTI Group B.V.
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Bas Gerard Vroemen, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens
  • Publication number: 20120085306
    Abstract: A starter motor for an internal combustion engine has an electric motor, a shaft driven by the motor, and a pinion assembly arranged to engage a flywheel of the engine. The pinion assembly has a drive collar mounted to a helical spline of the shaft, an output gear and an elastic member disposed between the drive collar and the output gear. A connection shell prevents axial separation between the drive collar and the output gear. The elastic member prevents direct contact between the connection shell and at least one and possibly both of the drive collar and the output gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jun-Jie Chu, Jia Li
  • Publication number: 20120055436
    Abstract: An engine starter that employs a clutch between a flywheel or flex plate and a plate structure that is configured to receive rotary power from a starter motor through a transmission. The transmission may include ring and pinion gears or a belt that transmits rotary power between pulleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Warren Williams, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 8113089
    Abstract: An engine starting apparatus is provided that has a constantly engaged starter pinion and a one-way clutch lubricated with transmission fluid, without modification to the engine and without adding axial length to the transmission. Specifically, a starting apparatus for cranking an engine crankshaft using a starter motor is provided for an engine that is operatively connected to a transmission through a torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joel M. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20120024253
    Abstract: A method is described for engaging a starting pinion of a starting device with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine, the starting pinion having a peripheral speed and the ring gear having a peripheral speed, the starting pinion being pushed forward axially along its axis of rotation, the starting pinion making contact with the ring gear at a peripheral speed which is lower than the peripheral speed of the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Sven Hartmann, Juergen Gross
  • Patent number: 8079340
    Abstract: In a system for cranking a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a starter is provided with a motor working to, when energized, rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator working to, when energized, shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and operative to output electrical power. A first mechanical relay is electrically connected between the power supply and the motor, and works to turn on and off a supply of a current based on the electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion. A switching element is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay, and works to turn on and off the supply of the current to the motor for rotating the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Patent number: 8069832
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Patent number: 8037858
    Abstract: A method for controlling the start-up phase of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine (12) wherein the internal combustion engines (12) is started by an electrical machine (16) that can be operated as a motor, a preferably automatically atuatable clutch (50) being located in the drive train (11) between the internal combustion engine (12) and the electrical machine (16). A faster start-up response can be achieved if the internal combustion engine (12) is driven by the electrical machine (16) when the clutch (50) is engaged during start-up, and if the clutch capacitance (MK) is reduced according to a defined parameter, preferably the engine speed, the time or the torque (ME) of the electrical machine (16) or similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: AVL List GmbH, Getrag Innovationscenter Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & CIE KG, ATB Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Seufert, Frank Thullner, Ralph Richter, Josef Glatthaar, Roberto Tirelli, Vincenzo De Gioia, Reinhard Klein, Jurgen Wagner, Richard Schneider, Gusztav Gulyas, Peter Ebner, Stefan Strobl
  • Patent number: 8014934
    Abstract: A starter drive assembly includes a starter output shaft having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axial grooves, a clutch assembly, and a barrel assembly. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate configured to engage the axially grooves of the output shaft such that the output shaft and the clutch plate rotate together during an engine starting operation. The clutch assembly further includes a screw shaft selectively matingly couplable to the clutch plate, wherein the screw shaft is configured to engage the clutch plate during rotation in a first direction and disengage the clutch plate in a second direction such that the screw shaft and the clutch plate rotate together in the first direction. The barrel assembly includes a first end configured to threadably engage the screw shaft, and a second end that includes a pinion gear configured to engage the ring gear during the engine starting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Andrew Layer
  • Patent number: 8001943
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine has no radial protrusion of an auxiliary switch in a shape projected along an axial direction thereof, thus improving the degree of freedom in mounting the starter on the engine. An axially extending electromagnetic switch is mounted on a motor for turning it on and off. An auxiliary switch extends in an axial direction of the motor and is mounted thereon for operating the electromagnetic switch by means of an operation of a key switch. A pinion gear can be placed into or out of engagement with a ring gear of the engine so as to be driven by the motor. The motor has a bracket with a radially extending flange, through which the starter is mounted on the engine. The auxiliary switch is arranged at an inner side of a common tangent line between outer peripheries of the electromagnetic switch and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Kaneda, Hayato Yamauchi, Keiichi Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 8001942
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an electric motor operative to crank said engine, a fuel pump, and a gear reduction device. This gear reduction device includes a worm and worm wheel and operates to receive a high speed input from said electric motor and to deliver a low speed output to said fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao
  • Publication number: 20110185997
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed at the technical field of starter systems in general, more specifically to a starter unit (1) for permanently engaged/coupled internal combustion engines. The starter unit (1) essentially comprises an electric motor (2), a speed reduction system with planetary gears (3) and a flywheel and torque transmission system with splines (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ZEN SA INDƚSTRIA METALURGICA
    Inventors: Fernando Comandolli, Marcelo Peregrina Gomez
  • Publication number: 20110168118
    Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele
  • Publication number: 20110168119
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. The clutch assembly also includes a cage assembly, a seal and a retaining ring. The cage assembly includes a skeleton coupled to a spring ring having a plurality of radially extending guides arranged to circumferentially space apart each roller element in alignment with cam surfaces formed on the outer race. The guides are resiliently deformable to allow concurrent engagement of each roller element with both the inner and outer races. The seal engages an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race, and is positioned axially outboard of the roller elements. The retaining ring is positioned within ring grooves formed on each of the inner and outer races to restrict movement of the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, John Sabo, Richard D. Muizelaar
  • Publication number: 20110146629
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine or other internal pressure driven engine of the type capable of converting reciprocal linear powered motion into unidirectional rotary motion, the engine having at least one pair of first and second cylinders with each cylinder having a pair of opposed pistons therein forming a pressure chamber therebetween. Outer ends of each piston carries a piston rod connected to a pivot arm of a respective one way clutch which causes the clutch to oscillate back and forth when the piston moves in and out due to pressure or combustion in the pressure chamber. Alternatively, the piston rods may be configured as gear racks in direct operative engagement with pinion gears of the one way clutches. The clutches are parallel and spaced apart from each other near each end of the cylinders. Each clutch carries a gear on one end which intermeshes with a gear rack assembly having gears and a gear rack which drives a crankshaft and auxiliary flywheel operatively connected to a starter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Mijo Radocaj
  • Patent number: 7954469
    Abstract: An engine starter system is disclosed. The starter system includes an electric cranking motor having a shaft and configured to crank the engine. The starter system further includes a planetary-type reduction gear unit that has a starter motor ring gear. The starter system has a pinion mechanism mounted on the shaft and configured to selectively engage a ring gear of the engine. A clutch assembly is configured to transmit torque between the shaft and the pinion mechanism. The clutch assembly includes a current conducting material and the starter motor ring gear includes one or more permanent magnets. The starter system employs the principle of Lenz's law to reduce the overrunning rotational speed of the cranking motor upon disengagement of the pinion mechanism from the engine's ring gear after the engine has started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dong Ju Park, Kook-Ju Lee, William Cai
  • Publication number: 20110114049
    Abstract: A four stroke single cylinder combustion engine starting system with an electrical machine is operable as both a generator and a motor. The starting system has a single cylinder four stroke combustion engine. A piston of the engine is coupled to a shaft of the electrical machine. The starting system also has a motor driver having outputs coupled to the electrical machine. A controller is coupled to the driver and an ignition switch is coupled to the controller. In response to the controller receiving an ignition signal from the ignition switch, the driver controls the electrical machine to operate as a motor so that the electrical machine rotates in a reverse direction to move the piston in a reverse stroke cycle. After the piston reverses to a power stroke position of the reverse stroke cycle the driver controls electrical machine to rotate in a forward direction to move the piston in a forward stroke cycle to attempt to ignite the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Mike R. Garrard, Deepak C. Kashyap, Satish R. M.
  • Publication number: 20110088649
    Abstract: A mounting system for powertrain components requiring axial installation and radial removal thereof is provided. A mounting flange is integrally cast with a powertrain component and extends outwardly therefrom. An opening extends through the mounting flange defining a mounting flange axis and axially receives a portion of a powertrain component for support therein, and by the mounting flange. A separation line extends diametrically across the mounting flange to define a separated portion and a remaining portion of the mounting flange. Fasteners are configured to removeably attach the separated portion to the remaining portion to thereby facilitate removal of the powertrain component from the powertrain assembly in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: James C. Minneker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110048358
    Abstract: The disengageable module for a system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine, of the type comprising a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, comprises an inner ring (26) intended to be coupled to the crankshaft, an outer ring (28) intended to be coupled to the ring gear, and at least one free wheel (30) provided with a plurality of wedging elements (34) mounted between raceways of the said rings. It further comprises means (50) designed to provide relative centring of the inner ring (26) and of the outer ring (28) and for transmitting radial load, the said means (50) being mounted at least partially between the inner ring and the outer ring leaving radial clearances between themselves and the said inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Gaborel, Pierre-Julien Louis Barraud, Gwenaƫl Hingouet, Virginie Hamada
  • Publication number: 20110048357
    Abstract: A parallel starter system for starting an internal combustion engine has at least two parallel-connected starters and a thermal switch associated with each of the starters, which thermal switch interrupts operation of the respective starter in the event of a response. The thermal switches are connected in series so that in the event of tripping of one of these thermal switches, the operation of all starters is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Hartmut Wanner, Thomas Majer
  • Patent number: 7886706
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an electrical starting system which integrates several components into a single assembly for easier manufacture and operation of the engine. For example, a safety switch and key are integrated with the electric motor starting system. The starting system includes a starter motor having a drive member in selective driving relationship with the engine crankshaft, and also includes a key and a switch assembled to the starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Certified Parts Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony F. Grybush
  • Patent number: 7849831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a start device for a small-sized engine, which is capable of starting the small-sized engine in an appropriate starting time and is ultimately reduced in size and weight by a rational design. A plurality of secondary batteries is used as a power source required to drive a small-sized electric motor and a small-sized engine, and has a considerably large capacity and an extremely small size. A speed reduction mechanism that has a reduction ratio of 1/30 to 1/90 is disposed between the electric motor and a buffer/power storage section. The start device starts the engine in an extremely short time of 0.4 to 1.3 seconds. Within this range of staring time of the engine, an operator has no uncomfortable feelings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Husqvarna Zenoah Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryou Ono
  • Publication number: 20100307441
    Abstract: A cranking device of an internal combustion engine includes an electric machine having a drive unit, which electric machine is in mechanical operative connection with a commutator by way of an armature shaft. A protective element is disposed in the region of the drive unit, particularly the stator and/or armature, in such a way that a separating effect is provided with respect to an operating region of the commutator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Stoeckl, Mathias Fein
  • Patent number: 7810403
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for engaging gears in motors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for engaging gears in a motor includes an actuator; and an engagement assembly having at least one pawl axially movably configured to selectively couple the engagement assembly with a gear via operation of the actuator. The actuator may be a solenoid, and may further be a single-coil solenoid. The apparatus may further include a shaft having the actuator and engagement assembly disposed thereon; and a gear disposed on the shaft adjacent the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Conntechnical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Connard Cali, Carlos Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20100229816
    Abstract: A speed reducing gear train includes a starter driven gear, a starting one-way clutch interposed between the starter driven gear and a crankshaft for permitting power transmission from the starter driven gear to the side of the crankshaft. The speed reducing gear train and the starting one-way clutch being provided between a starter motor and the crankshaft with a transmission accommodated in a crankcase. The transmission includes gear trains for selectively establishing a plurality of gear speeds with the gear trains being between a main shaft and a counter shaft. The starter motor can produce power for driving the vehicle and to impart a drive assisting force. A power transmitting gear meshing with the starter driven gear is relatively rotatably mounted on the main shaft through a running one-way clutch permitting power transmission from the power transmitting gear to the side of the main shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20100147241
    Abstract: The present invention refers to the technical field of starter plates in general, more specifically a starter plate with a friction free wheel system by rollers, which is applied to internal combustion engines of motorcycles or vehicles making use of a similar starter motor with the purpose to improve performance, increase durability, reduce the final price of the product and simplify manufacturing and assembly processes. The assembly preserves the locking feature under high torque in one direction (joined element by the input torque of the driver element) and, after starting, it allows free turning of the joined element in the opposite direction, which then has higher rotation than the driver element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Andrei Damian, Fernando Comandolli, Marcelo Peregrina Gomez