Method for gradually driving a motor vehicle starter switch

• US 6,516,767 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Maillet, Régis, Vilou, Gérard
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US09/763,935
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.1, 123/179.3, 290/38.R, 290/38.C, 290/38.E, 318/430, 318/431
• US Class Current: 123/179.3
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/108 Duty cycle control or pulse width modulation [PWM]

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for energising a coil for driving a moving contactor core of an electric starter for a motor vehicle, in which the effective current is varied in the coil during displacement of the core to its contact position, and in which, in the course of this displacement, there take place:

a first driving phase with an effective current which is high enough to set the core in motion, and then

a second driving phase with a smaller effective current, in which, after a determined or predetermined time, the effective current is continuously increased.

Claims

1. Apparatus for control of the power supply to a coil (B) for driving a moving contact (2b) of a motor vehicle starter, arranged to vary the effective current in the coil (B) during displacement of the core (2b) towards its contact position, whereby to close a moving contact (3) of the contactor and to energise the electric motor, wherein it is arranged to perform, in the course of this displacement:

a first driving phase (t₀, t₁) at an effective current sufficient to set the core in motion, then;

a second driving phase (t₁, t₂, t₃) at a lower effective current, characterised in that a continuous increase in the effective current is initiated during the said second phase after a predetermined or determined time.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes means for measuring a supply voltage of the starter and means to vary the level of the effective current as a function of the said voltage during the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that it includes means for measuring a resistance of the coil (B) and for varying the effective current as a function of the said resistance during the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃).

7. A method of supplying power to a coil (B) for actuating a moving core (2b) of a contactor (2) for an electric starter for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor (M), wherein the effective current is varied in the coil (B) during displacement of the core (2b) towards its contact position, whereby to close a moving contact (3) and energise the electric motor (M), and wherein, during this displacement, there take place:

a first driving phase (t₀, t₁) at a high enough effective current to set the core (2b) in motion, and then,

a second driving phase (t₁, t₂, t₃) with a weaker effective current, characterised in that, during the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃), after a predetermined or determined time, a continuous increase in the effective current is initiated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that it includes means for measuring the temperature and means for varying the effective current as a function of the said temperature during the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃).

5. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that it is arranged that the coil (B) be supplied with a pulsed voltage, the cyclic ratio (R1, R2) of which is different in the first phase (t₀, t₁,) and in the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃).

6. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterised in that it includes means (10) for deducing the cyclic ratio (R2) of the power supply of the coil (B) as a function of the result or results supplied by the measuring means.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that the effective current during the second phase (t₁, t₂, t₃) is of the order of 0.4 to 0.6 times that which is applied during the first phase (t₀, t₁).

9. A method according to claim 8, characterised in that the first phase comprises a first period with an effective current which is high enough to set the core (2b) in motion and a second period at a lower effective current than that of the first phase, or is even zero.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterised in that a high current phase (t₃, t₄) is performed after the moving contact (3) has closed.