METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

• US 20100132647A1
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seg Automotive Germany GMBH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Dietrich, Manfred
• Granted Patent: US 8,584,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.300
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0844 with means for restarting the engine directly after an engine stop request, e.g. caused by change of driver mind
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0855 during engine shutdown or after engine stop before start command, e.g. pre-engagement of pinion
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/067 the starter comprising an electro-magnetically actuated lever
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/022 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/041 Starter speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

In a method, a device, a computer program and a computer program product for operating an internal combustion engine having a starter: a first threshold value and a second threshold value are specified; a first variable and a second variable are determined, which characterize the operating state of the internal combustion engine; the first variable is compared to the specified first threshold value and the second variable is compared to the specified second threshold value; and the starter starting, or not starting, the internal combustion engine as a function of the comparison result.

Claims

1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a starter, comprising:

specifying a first threshold value and a second threshold value;

determining a first variable and a second variable, which characterize an operating state of the internal combustion engine;

at least one of (a) comparing the first variable to the specified first threshold value and (b) comparing the second variable to the specified second threshold value; and

one of (a) starting and (b) not starting, by the starter, the internal combustion engine as a function of the comparison.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the starter starts up the internal combustion engine only if the first variable undershoots the specified first threshold value or if the second variable undershoots the specified second threshold value.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specified first threshold value and the specified second threshold value are selected greater than zero.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine is operated in an operating state in which no combustion takes place.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein an incremental encoder is situated on a crankshaft in the internal combustion engine, and a time period is selected as the first variable that elapses after a first gear tooth of the incremental encoder has been detected.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second variable is selected as a function of a difference in rotational speeds between the starter and a crankshaft.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first specified threshold value is selected as a function of at least one of (a) a rotational speed of the crankshaft and (b) a position of the crankshaft, between 10ms and 100ms.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein a third variable is determined as a function of a time interval between a detection of two consecutive gear teeth of the incremental encoder, and the first specified threshold value is determined as a function of at least two values of the third variable, by extrapolation, using an approximation function of at least one of (a) a first and (b) a second order.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first specified threshold value is selected as a function of a greater value of the two results from the extrapolation using the approximation function of the first and second order.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first specified threshold value is corrected as a function of a tolerance factor.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second specified threshold value is selected as a function of a mechanical loading capacity of at least one of (a) the starter and (b) a crankshaft.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein it is checked whether a start request was made before the starter is operated.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the starter is a pinion starter.

14. A device for operating an internal combustion engine having a starter, which is situated on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, comprising:

a first setpoint selection device adapted to specify a first threshold value;

a second setpoint selection device adapted to specify a second threshold value;

a first determination device adapted to determine a first variable, which characterizes a run-down of the internal combustion engine;

a second determination device adapted to determine a second variable, which characterizes a run-down of the internal combustion engine;

a comparator adapted to compare at least of (a) the first variable to the specified first threshold value and (b) the second variable to the specified second threshold value; and

a third setpoint selection device adapted to operate the starter by the crankshaft as a function of the comparison.