INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A CHANGE OF MIND (COM) STARTER SYSTEM AND A COM STARTER SYSTEM

摘要

An internal combustion engine includes a ring gear, a speed sensor operatively associated with the ring gear, and a change of mind (COM) starter motor mechanically linked to the internal combustion engine. The COM starter motor includes an armature and a pinion operatively connected to the armature. A solenoid is operatively connected to the COM starter motor. The solenoid selectively moves the pinion into engagement with the ring gear. An electronic control unit (ECU) is operatively connected to the speed sensor and the solenoid. The ECU is configured and disposed to indirectly detect a rotational speed of the pinion and selectively energize the solenoid to axially shift the pinion into engagement with the ring gear when the pinion reaches a particular rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the ring gear.

主权项

1. An internal combustion engine comprising:
a ring gear; a speed sensor operatively associated with the ring gear; a change of mind (COM) starter motor mechanically linked to the internal combustion engine, the COM starter motor including an armature and a pinion operatively connected to the armature; a solenoid operatively connected to the COM starter motor, the solenoid selectively moving the pinion into engagement with the ring gear; and an electronic control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the speed sensor and the solenoid, the ECU being configured and disposed to indirectly detect a rotational speed of the pinion and selectively energize the solenoid to axially shift the pinion into engagement with the ring gear when the pinion reaches a particular rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the ring gear.