Starter motor control with pre-spin

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A circuit for initiating a starting sequence for an internal combustion engine comprising:
a source of electrical power; a starter motor; a gear system selectively coupling said starter motor to an engine to be started; a control circuit for providing electrical energy only to said starter motor initially for a predetermined time completely bypassing a starting solenoid and subsequently providing electrical energy to the starting solenoid such that said gear system starts rotating the engine from a non-rotating state, wherein the source of electrical power continually outputs 7.5 or more volts during the starting sequence; a first conductor directly connecting the control circuit to the starter motor, the first conductor providing a control signal to turn on a pair of parallel, coupled switches having a first terminal coupled to the source of electrical power and a second terminal coupled to the starter motor directly, wherein the first conductor is wrapped such that a first current level is supplied to the motor; and a second conductor coupled to the starting solenoid, wherein the solenoid receives a second current level that is greater than the first current level.