Patent · US Active

Engine start system for use in idle stop system for automotive vehicle

US8171908B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 2009
Grant dateMay 8, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 8, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/40
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. The engine start system includes a pinion gear to be pushed to a ring gear coupled to an engine for achieving meshing engagement with the ring gear. After the pinion gear engages the ring gear, the engine start system starts to rotate the pinion gear using a starter motor to crank the engine. Specifically, when an engine restart request is made following an engine stop request, the engine start system waits until after the speed of the engine drops below a preselected gear engagable speed and then moves the pinion gear toward the ring gear without rotating the pinion gear. This minimizes the consumption of fuel in the vehicle in supplying electric power to the starter motor and a maximum level of mechanical noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.