Internal-combustion engines – Starting device – Condition responsive control of starting device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-12
2001-10-23
Dolinar, Andrew M. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Starting device
Condition responsive control of starting device
C290S03800C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305338
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a current measuring module for a starter device of internal combustion engines with a measuring device which measures a starter current of a starter motor.
It is known that internal combustion engines must be started by means of a starting mechanism because they cannot start by themselves. Starter motors are usually used for this purpose. These starter motors are connected with a voltage source via a starter relay constructed as an engagement relay, as they are called, and a pinion of the starter motor is simultaneously engaged with a toothed rim of a flywheel of the internal combustion engine for cranking. In order to switch on the starter relay, it is known to control this starter relay by means of an external switch, for example, an ignition switch or starter switch of the motor vehicle. After the internal combustion engine has begun to run independently, the starter motor must be disengaged to prevent noise and wear. It is known to switch off the starter manually by releasing the ignition switch or starter switch. Solutions for turning off the starter of the internal combustion engine automatically for increased convenience in motor vehicles are known. In order to detect independent running of the internal combustion engine, an evaluation of a starter current can be carried out. The fact that the starter current changes its shape depending on the independent running of the internal combustion engine is made use of for this purpose. When the internal combustion engine reaches its independent running rotational speed, i.e., develops its own torque, the starter motor is overtaken with respect to its rotational speed, wherein the starter motor is separated from the internal combustion engine by a freewheeling clutch. From this point, the starter motor need only apply its own acceleration torque, so that the starter current drops to the idle current or no-load current. Therefore, when the starter motor reaches the no-load current, this signals the independent running of the internal combustion engine.
It is known from general electronic engineering that a conductor carrying current is surrounded by a magnetic field proportional to the current.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention in a current measuring module, a soft-iron core is provided which at least partly surrounds a conductor carrying the starter current and carries a magnetic field sensor, and control electronics are controlled by the magnetic field sensor and generate a control signal for switching off the starter motor when a switch-off current of the starter motor is reached.
The magnetic field sensor can be arranged in a coaxial ring gap between the soft-iron core and the conductor, and the current-carrying conductor can be formed by a contact bolt of a starter relay of the starter device, or by a connection contact of the starter motor.
When the current measuring device is designed in accordance with the present invention it offers the advantage that an evaluation of the starter current is made possible in a simple manner. A simple evaluation of the starter current is made possible without direct intervention in the starter motor by providing a soft-iron core which at least partly surrounds a conductor carrying the starter current and carries a magnetic field sensor and by providing electronics which are controlled by the magnetic field sensor and which generate a control signal for switching off the starter motor when a switch-off current, especially a no-load current, of the starter motor is reached. In particular, structural changes in the construction of the starting device as a whole are not necessary because the current measuring module according to the invention can be adapted in a simple manner to existing starter devices. Moreover, there is no need for any changes to the existing electric connection lines of the starter device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5517104 (1996-05-01), Kawakami
patent: 5622148 (1997-04-01), Xue et al.
patent: 5743227 (1998-04-01), Jacquet et al.
patent: 5934237 (1999-09-01), Vilou
patent: 5983850 (1999-11-01), Vilou
patent: 5992365 (1999-12-01), Vilou
Daurer Uwe
Huber Elmar
Kramer Claus
Schmid Karl-Otto
Castro Arnold
Dolinar Andrew M.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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