ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS WITH INRUSH CURRENT REDUCER
First Claim
1. An engine starting apparatus for an engine comprising:
- a starter which works to start an engine using torque, as produced by an electric motor;
an inrush current reducer which works to reduce an inrush current flowing through the electric motor when energized; and
a starter mode switch which works to change a starter characteristic that is an output characteristic of the starter continuously or selectively at least between a low-torque/high-speed mode and a high-torque/low-speed mode, the starter mode switch placing the starter in the high-torque/low-speed mode at least at a time when a piston of an engine is passing a top dead center, and an engine friction has just been maximized for the first time after the starter is actuated to crank the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An engine starting apparatus is provided which is equipped with a starter, an inrush current reducer, and a starter mode switch. The inrush current reducer works to reduce an inrush current flowing through an electric motor installed in the starter when the electric motor is energized. The starter mode switch works to change a starter characteristic that is an output characteristic of the starter continuously or selectively at least between a low-torque/high-speed mode and a high-torque/low-speed mode. The starter mode switch places the starter in the high-torque/low-speed mode at least at a time when a piston of the engine is passing a top dead center, and the engine friction has been just maximized for the first time after the starter is actuated to crank the engine. This shortens a period of time required to start up the engine without sacrificing beneficial effects offered by the inrush current reducer.
39 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An engine starting apparatus for an engine comprising:
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a starter which works to start an engine using torque, as produced by an electric motor; an inrush current reducer which works to reduce an inrush current flowing through the electric motor when energized; and a starter mode switch which works to change a starter characteristic that is an output characteristic of the starter continuously or selectively at least between a low-torque/high-speed mode and a high-torque/low-speed mode, the starter mode switch placing the starter in the high-torque/low-speed mode at least at a time when a piston of an engine is passing a top dead center, and an engine friction has just been maximized for the first time after the starter is actuated to crank the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification