Abstract: A vehicle power unit including a speed reducing gear train including a starter driven gear, a starting one-way clutch interposed between the starter driven gear and a crankshaft. The speed reducing gear train and the starting one-way clutch are provided between a starter motor and the crankshaft. A transmission includes gear trains for a plurality of gear speeds wherein the gear trains are provided between a main shaft and a counter shaft. A hybrid type configuration is possible wherein the starter motor produces power for driving the vehicle and to impart a drive assisting force. The starter motor can be changed over between a normal rotational operation and a reverse rotational operation. A power transmission idle gear is interposed between the starter driven gear and a power transmitting gear through a running one-way clutch for permitting power transmission to the side of the main shaft.

Abstract: A starter includes a pinion gear that can be engaged with a ring gear coupled to a crankshaft of an engine, an actuator to move the pinion gear to a position where the pinion gear is engaged with the ring gear in a driven state, and a motor to rotate the pinion gear. When the engine is started in response to a driver's start intention, any mode of an engagement mode in which the actuator causes the pinion gear to engage with the ring gear before the motor is driven and a rotation mode in which the motor is driven before the actuator is driven is selected. When the engine is started not in response to a driver's start intention, the engagement mode is selected.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method comprises, adjusting a brake torque applied to a deactivated rotating engine after an engine restart request, the brake torque applied to slow the engine to at least a predetermined threshold speed without stopping the engine, and engaging a starter to the still rotating engine to increase the engine speed and restart the engine.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a starter system including a starter, capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit. The starter can include a motor coupled to a circuit and a pinion including a plunger, and a plurality of solenoid assemblies including a plurality of biasing members. The plurality of solenoid assemblies can include at least one solenoid winding capable of moving the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of holding the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of controlling current flow to the motor. Some embodiments include a first switch coupled to the circuit that is capable of being activated by the plunger to control current flowing to at least a portion of the circuit. Some embodiments include at least two power isolation switches capable of controlling a current flow within the circuit.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a starter system including a starter, capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit. The starter can include a motor coupled to a circuit and a pinion including a plunger, and a plurality of solenoid assemblies that includes a plurality of biasing members. The plurality of solenoid assemblies can include at least one solenoid winding capable of moving the plunger to move the pinion, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of controlling current flow to the motor. Some embodiments include a first switch coupled to the circuit. In some embodiments, the first switch is capable of being activated by the plunger to cause current to flow, or to prevent current flowing to at least a portion of the circuit.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic switch-off and switch-on procedure of a drive unit in a motor vehicle via a start-stop device is provided, by which, when the motor vehicle stops, the drive unit is automatically switched off if predefined switch-off conditions have been met, and by which an automatically switched-off drive unit is automatically switched on if at least one driver-side or system-side switch-on request is made. When a system-side switch-on request takes place, the automatic switch-on procedure will be suppressed at least temporarily if a delay condition exists.

Abstract: A control circuit receives a starting signal from a powertrain control module of a vehicle and delays the coupling of the main starting current from the battery to the starting motor until a reduced current in an alternative flow path is provided to the starter motor, initiating its motion. In a preferred, the pre-start sequence is controlled by a microprocessor which provides a control signal to a solid state switch coupled by a conductor providing current limiting resistance between the battery supply and the starter motor for a predetermined period of time. Subsequent to the pre-spin period, the control circuit provides a signal to a different solid state switch which activates the starter solenoid, in turn, coupling the battery to the starter motor and engaging the pinion gear with the ring gear.

Abstract: A starter includes a pinion gear, an actuator for moving the pinion gear to a position where the pinion gear is engaged with a ring gear in a driven state, and a motor for rotating the pinion gear. An ECU includes a rotation mode in which the motor is driven before the actuator is driven and an engagement mode in which the actuator is driven before the motor is driven. In the engagement mode, the actuator is driven after lapse of a predetermined first time period since a decision to start an engine was made, and the motor is driven after lapse of a second time period longer than the first time period since the decision to start the engine was made. In the rotation mode, the motor is driven after lapse of the second time period since a decision to start the engine was made.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method disengages a starter in response to a first predicted combustion in a cylinder of the engine. The method may reduce one-way clutch degradation of a starter. Further, the method may reduce current consumption during engine starting.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the engine, a blade driven by the engine, and an assembly for stopping at least one of the blade and the engine. The assembly includes a brake mechanism, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to release the brake mechanism, an interlock configured to selectively prevent the release mechanism from moving to the engaged position, and an interface allowing an operator to release the interlock to allow the release mechanism to move to the engaged position. The lawn mower further includes a switch actuated by the release mechanism and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor in response to the signal to start the engine.

Abstract: An engine start control device includes: a control valve which adjusts a gas flow rate of a gas channel provided so as to bypass a throttle valve of an engine; a starter motor capable of driving a crankshaft of the engine; a control unit which controls an opening degree of the control valve and a current supply to the starter motor; and a latch circuit which holds a command for current control from the control unit to the starter motor, wherein the control unit performs the control so as to cause the current supply to the starter motor to start after the opening degree of the control valve reaches a target opening degree for an engine start time, and even when the control unit is reset, the latch circuit continues the current supply to the starter motor according to the command for current control that the latch circuit keeps holding.

Abstract: A device for starting an engine includes a starter for starting the engine and an ECU for controlling the starter. The starter includes a pinion gear structured to engage with a ring gear coupled to a crankshaft of the engine, an actuator for moving the pinion gear to an engagement position with the ring gear, and a motor for rotating the pinion gear. The ECU can individually control each of the actuator and the motor. The ECU holds such a state that the motor is stopped and the actuator is driven during a stand-by period until a reference condition is satisfied after completion of start of the engine. Thus, when the engine stopped immediately after start, the engine can quickly be re-started.

Abstract: The present invention is an eco-run system having an eco-run function that stops and restarts an internal combustion engine depending on a state of a vehicle. The eco-run system includes: table information that prescribes a relationship between a plurality of eco-run prohibition reasons and priorities in which a user is informed of the eco-run prohibition reasons; an eco-run ECU 10 that judges whether an eco-run prohibition reason occurs to the vehicle; and an eco-lamp 41 or a navigation apparatus that, when it is judged by the eco-run ECU 10 that the eco-run prohibition reason occurs to the vehicle, informs the user of the eco-run prohibition reason depending on the priorities prescribed by the table information.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation.

Abstract: An engine starting control apparatus is basically provided with a motor control section, a valve timing control section and a start control section. The motor control section is configured to operate an electric motor to crank an engine with an output of the electric motor being adjustable. The valve timing control section is configured to operate a variable valve operating mechanism when the engine is started to change at least a close timing of an intake valve of the engine from an initial timing to a start timing such that the start timing is set closer to an intake bottom dead center during a single engine start as compared to the initial timing. The start control section is configured to adjust the output of the electric motor as the close timing of the intake valve changes from the initial timing to the start timing during the single engine start.

Abstract: An aircraft engine starting system may comprise a starter motor, a start controller for controlling the starter motor to operate with a desired torque output, and a processor for determining torque profiles for the starter motor. The processor may provide an initial torque profile responsively to ambient condition of the engine. The processor may also provide modifications to the initial torque profile responsively to temperature of the start controller.

Abstract: A combustion state detection device for an internal combustion engine includes: an ignition control unit that controls activation of a primary winding for ignition; a comparison value setting unit that sets a comparison value with respect to an ion signal; and a combustion state discrimination unit that determines the occurrence of misfire depending on the magnitude of the ion signal with respect to the comparison value; wherein the ignition control unit, after generating a spark, reactivates the primary winding at least one time during one combustion stroke so that an induction voltage similar to that generated in the secondary winding at around a time when the primary winding begins to be activated for the purpose of starting combustion is generated in the secondary winding.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power unit equipped with an internal combustion engine and outputs a power. The control apparatus according to the invention starts engine operation when the required power becomes equal to or larger than an engine start threshold during engine stop, and stops engine operation when the required power becomes equal to or smaller than an engine stop threshold during engine operation. The internal combustion engine is equipped with a catalyst. When the purification capacity of the catalyst is lower than a start threshold correction threshold, a value smaller than a reference engine start threshold is set as the engine start threshold. When the purification capacity of the catalyst is equal to or higher than the start threshold correction threshold, a value equal to the reference engine start threshold or a value larger than the reference engine start threshold is set as the engine start threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing variability in air-fuel control due to variations in brake booster vacuum levels at an engine start. A throttle position is adjusted during an engine start based on the vacuum availability in the brake booster to control a rate of intake aircharge flow. By allowing aircharge to enter the intake manifold at a more consistent rate, air-fuel control is improved and exhaust emissions are reduced.

Abstract: An engine with vacuum and coolant pumps is disclosed. In one example, the vacuum and coolant pumps are mechanically coupled together and driven by a single motor. The approach may reduce system cost and complexity.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine with a turbocharger in a vehicle. One example method comprises, under selected operating conditions, generating an oxidant rich component from engine intake air, storing the oxidant rich component of the intake air, and, under subsequent cold start conditions, injecting an amount of the stored oxidant rich component to the engine.

Abstract: A process for starting a direct-injecting internal-combustion engine is disclosed. The process includes triggering a separate drive for adjusting the camshaft for causing an angular position change between the crankshaft and the camshaft until the separate drive rotates the crankshaft such that a working medium is compressed by a piston in a cylinder of the internal-combustion engine. The position of the pistons of the internal-combustion engine is determined by using position determining devices to identify the cylinder of the internal-combustion engine in which the working medium is compressed. Fuel is injected into the cylinder in which the working medium is compressed when the cylinder is in a proximity of an upper dead center to start the internal-combustion engine.

Abstract: A starter supply network having a first energy source for the primary energy supply of a starter motor, the first energy source being coupled to a network terminal of the starter supply network; a second energy source; and a coupler, which is configured to couple the second energy source to the network terminal as a function of a starter motor current delivered by the first energy source, in order to counteract a reduction in the starter motor current.

Abstract: Method for controlling a start-up of an internal combustion engine, an actuation of the internal combustion engine being begun and maintained by an electric machine in order to set the internal combustion engine into independent motion, thereby characterized, in that the actuation of the internal combustion engine is concluded before an initial combustion in the internal combustion engine takes place.

Abstract: An in-vehicle engine start control apparatus stops a fuel injection instruction after rotationally driving a DC electric motor preliminarily by issuing a rotational driving instruction when an automatic stop condition is satisfied, and subsequently restarts the in-vehicle engine by issuing a push control instruction to a pinion gear immediately before a circumferential speed of a ring gear decelerating by inertia is synchronized with a circumferential speed of the pinion gear rotationally driven preliminarily to rotate and by issuing the rotational driving instruction and the fuel injection instruction again because a restart request is already issued or is issued with a delay when the push driving is completed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle associated micro-hybrid system. The system includes a reversible rotary electrical machine that is connected to a thermal engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes: controlling a step of pre-fluxing of a rotor of the reversible rotary electrical machine when a control module receives an instruction to start the thermal. engine via the reversible rotary electrical machine; measuring a speed of the rotor of the reversible rotary electrical machine; and, demanding stoppage of the pre-fluxing step when the speed of the rotor is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed threshold value. The method avoids the generation of overvoltages in an electrical distribution network formed by an onboard network of the vehicle and by an energy storage unit of the micro-hybrid system.

Abstract: In a start control apparatus for an engine generator having a booster adapted to boost an output of a battery, there is provided an engine starter adapted to supply the boosted battery output to an output winding as a motor current to start the engine, and it is configured to determine whether a position of the piston is before a top dead center (TDC) when the motor current is to be supplied to the winding, and the motor current is increased by an increment when the piston position of the engine is determined to be before the TDC.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine in a vehicle. In one example, two or more energy storage devices are coupled in series to improve engine starting. The method and system may reduce engine starting time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the start-up phase of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine (12). The internal combustion engine (12) is started by an electrical machine (16) that can be operated as a motor, and there is a preferably automatically actuatable clutch (50) 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.

Abstract: Provided is a crank angle detection unit configured to output respective recognition signals from a plurality of intermediate positions each flanked with the positions corresponding to the respective top dead centers of the pistons of a plurality of cylinders and to differentiate the kinds of the respective recognition signals output from the adjacent intermediate positions. Also included is a piston position determination unit that determines the stopping position of the piston when the internal combustion engine stops, based on the crank angle range stored in a crank angle range storage unit and a crank angle corresponding to the position of the recognition signal outputted by the crank angle detection unit. A cylinder to which a fuel is to be initially supplied when the internal combustion engine restarts is determined, based on the stopping position of the piston determined by the piston position determination means.

Abstract: A ring gear to be coupled to a crankshaft of an engine; a starter motor for starting the engine; a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor to the ring gear; pinion-gear meshing-engagement unit for moving the pinion gear to achieve meshing engagement with the ring gear; rpm-difference acquiring unit for acquiring an rpm difference between the pinion gear and the ring gear; and restart control unit for allowing the pinion gear to be moved by the pinion-gear meshing-engagement unit when the rpm difference between the pinion gear and the ring gear, which is acquired by the rpm-difference acquiring unit, becomes smaller than a threshold value are provided. The restart control unit includes threshold-value setting unit, and the threshold value corresponding to a characteristic to be input to the threshold-value setting unit is preset.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states in a vehicle having a controller and auto start/auto stop functionality. The method includes detecting an engine state cycling event, measuring a plurality of vehicle operating values, and using the controller to optimize the cycling frequency via at least one of: automatically adjusting an interval between an auto start event and an auto stop event when each of a first set of the vehicle operating values exceeds a corresponding threshold, and temporarily inhibiting the auto start/auto stop functionality when any value in a second set of the vehicle operating values falls outside of a hysteresis band created around the second set. A vehicle includes an engine and a controller having an algorithm for optimizing the cycling frequency between engine on/off states as set forth above.

Abstract: A safety system for connection to a toxic gas detector and a toxic gas producing engine, and its operating method, includes an interrupt device coupled to connections to the detector and the engine. The interrupt device includes a toxic gas signal detecting circuit and a circuit for permitting starting of the engine. The detecting circuit activates the permitting circuit if the toxic gas signal represents a toxic gas concentration below a predetermined level. In one embodiment, the permitting circuit is activated if the safety system is healthy and fully functional. Similarly, a safety system for connection to a toxic gas detector and a toxic gas supply, and its operating method, includes an interrupt device coupled to connections to the detector and the toxic gas supply. The interrupt device includes a toxic gas signal detecting circuit and a circuit for permitting of flow from the toxic gas supply.

Abstract: A control system for an engine including a starter may include a speed determination module that determines a first rotational speed of the engine during a run period contiguously following a period of starting the engine using the starter, and a speed control module that, when the first rotational speed falls below a predetermined speed greater than zero during the run period, selectively activates the starter to increase the first rotational speed. The speed control module may selectively activate the starter by selectively adjusting, based on the first rotational speed, a second rotational speed of a motor drive of the starter that supplies torque for cranking the engine and subsequently selectively engaging one of the motor drive and a first rotational member of the starter rotationally driven by the motor drive with a second rotational member of the engine. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a second motor configured to drive a second load, a first motor configured to selectively drive either the engine or a first load, and a controller configured to control the first and second motors such that when the first motor drives the engine the second motor is stopped, and when the first motor drives the first load the second motor is controlled to drive the second load. Preferably, the second load is a cooling fan of a cooling system for the engine and the first load is a water pump of the cooling system.

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

Abstract: A method makes it possible to measure and evaluate the efficiency of a start-stop system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and on the basis of the measurement, to optimize the efficiency in a vehicle-specific fashion or with regard to the driving behavior of the driver.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for the starter of a combustion engine is provided. The electrical system of a motor vehicle includes a battery in whose connecting line a battery disconnect switch is provided, and the electrical system of the motor vehicle is monitored by a vehicle electrical system state detection device which includes starter diagnostic functionality.

Abstract: When determined that a driver's accelerator operation is rough during the turn-on condition of an ECO switch 88 while a hybrid vehicle 20 is driven without an operation of an engine 22 (Step S120), a threshold value Pref with respect to a power demand P* is set to a value P2 that is larger than a value P1 of the turn-off condition of the ECO switch 88 so as to give priority to fuel consumption of the engine 22 (Step S140). Then, the engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled with a start of the engine 22 as necessary so as to ensure torque equivalent to a torque demand Tr* (Steps S150-S230).

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.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be automatically started is provided. In one example, spark timing of an automatically started engine is in advance of spark timing for an operator requested engine start. The approach may reduce vehicle driveline disturbances.

Abstract: An ECU for controlling a starter includes a transistor in addition to transistors, which turn on relays provided for a pinion gear and a motor of the starter, respectively. The transistor is provided in a current path, which connects a line of a battery voltage and a junction between upstream side ends of coils of the relays. The ECU operates the starter by turning on the three transistors, which turn on the relays. It further detects abnormality based on voltages of terminals.

Abstract: A starter is supplied with current for a certain current feed duration during meshing of a starter pinion of the starter with a coasting internal combustion engine. The current feed is shut down after reaching the certain current feed duration and an induced voltage is measured. The measured induced voltage is compared with a reference voltage and the current feed duration for a subsequent current feed is set as a function of the comparison result.

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.

Abstract: In a method for meshing a starting pinion of a starter device with a toothed ring of an internal combustion engine, during the engagement process, characteristic vibrations are measured in the internal combustion engine, wherein in the event of a vibration parameter lying outside an admissible value range, the actuation of the starting pinion is varied.

Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.

Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.

Abstract: A stop-time target phase setting unit sets a target phase CAr for an intake valve to a target phase, which is used when an engine is stopped, in response to issuance of an engine stop command. An engine stop control unit generates a series of control commands for an engine stop process in response to issuance of the engine stop command. A motoring command unit generates a first MG control command for rotating the engine using a motor for a predetermined period Tm that is counted by a timer in response to issuance of the engine stop command. Thus, the engine idles even after fuel combustion stops. In this way, the period in which the valve phase can be changed by a VVT mechanism is increased. As a result, a valve phase when the engine stops is reliably brought to the target phase that is suitable for next engine starting.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle, includes a rockback detection module and a starter disabling module. The rockback detection module receives a crankshaft position signal from a bi-directional crankshaft sensor and selectively indicates that a crankshaft of an engine is rotating in a first direction based on the crankshaft position signal. The engine rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when the engine is running. The starter disabling module disables current to a starter motor when the crankshaft is rotating in the first direction.

Abstract: A device for starting an internal combustion engine has a meshing module which is provided for meshing a drive pinion, a starter motor, a switching module via which a starter current is suppliable to the starter motor, and a control unit which is provided for energizing the meshing module and the switching module.