Starter motor control circuit and method
US5742137A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/13
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a starter control system for an engine equipped with a starter motor, starter relay, ignition switch, and electronic control unit (ECU), a 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 current engine speed is greater than the minimum engine running speed, under both initial starting and engine running conditions. The deactivation of the starter relay will prevent engagement of the pinion gear to the ring gear of the starter motor, potentially reducing wear on the starter motor, grinding of the pinion gear to the ring gear when engaging the gears at a high RPM, and noise to an operator of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.