Remote-controlled starter apparatus with starting detection capability

• US 6,662,085 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wintecronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Wintecronics Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Apin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US10/058,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/113, 307/10.1, 307/10.6, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 341/176, 324/173, 324/207.2, 123/179.1, 123/179.2, 123/179.3, 123/179.4, 290/38.C, 290/38.E, 290/38.R
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation

Abstract

A remote-controlled starter apparatus is used in a machine having a power supply system and a power mechanism interconnected via a power conducting line. The starter apparatus includes a starter control circuit, a current sensing circuit and a signal converting circuit. The starter control circuit starts the power mechanism upon receiving a start-initiate signal transmitted by a remote controller, and generates a signal to activate the current sensing circuit. The current sensing circuit generates a sensor output corresponding to electrical current flowing through the power conducting line. The signal converting circuit is connected to the current sensing circuit and the starter control circuit, and converts the sensor output into a corresponding voltage output to enable the starter control circuit to determine whether or not the starting operation was successful, and to restart the power mechanism upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful.

Claims

1. A remote-controlled starter apparatus adapted for use in a machine having a power supply system and a power mechanism connected to the power supply system via a power conducting line, said starter apparatus permitting remote control of starting operation of the power mechanism and comprising:

a starter control circuit adapted to receive a start-initiate signal transmitted wirelessly by a remote controller, and adapted to be connected to and to start the power mechanism upon receipt of the start-initiate signal, said starter control circuit further generating a sensor enable signal upon receipt of the start-initiate signal;

a current sensing circuit connected to said starter control circuit and adapted to be coupled to the power conducting line, said current sensing circuit being enabled by the sensor enable signal so as to generate a sensor output corresponding to magnitude of electrical current flowing through the power conducting line; and

a signal converting circuit connected to said current sensing circuit and said starter control circuit, said signal converting circuit converting the sensor output into a corresponding voltage output that is provided to said starter control circuit;

said starter control circuit determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the voltage output received from said signal converting circuit, and being adapted to restart the power mechanism upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful,

wherein the sensor output from said current sensing circuit includes pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs corresponding to the electrical current present in the power conducting line before, during and after the starting operation of the power mechanism, respectively;

wherein said signal converting circuit generates first, second and third voltage outputs corresponding to the pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs, respectively;

wherein said starter control circuit includes a signal receiver adapted to receive the start-initiate signal, and a judging circuit for determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the first, second and third voltage outputs from said signal converting circuit; and

wherein said judging circuit determines the starting operation to be successful when the third voltage output is found to be greater than the first voltage output but less than the second voltage output.

2. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current sensing circuit includes a Hall sensor adapted to be sleeved on the power conducting line.

3. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an amplifier connected to said current sensing circuit and said signal converting circuit for amplifying the sensor output prior to receipt thereof by said signal converting circuit.

4. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said judging circuit determines the starting operation to be unsuccessful when the third voltage output is found to be equal to the first voltage output.

5. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said starter control circuit ceases to restart the power mechanism upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful for a predetermined number of times.

6. A remote-controlled starter apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle having a power supply system and a power mechanism connected to the power supply system via a power conducting line, the power mechanism including an engine and a motor for starting the engine, said starter apparatus permitting remote control of starting operation of the power mechanism and comprising:

a starter control circuit adapted to receive a start-initiate signal transmitted wirelessly by a remote controller, and adapted to be connected to and to activate the motor for starting the engine upon receipt of the start-initiate signal, said starter control circuit further generating a sensor enable signal upon receipt of the start-initiate signal;

a current sensing circuit connected to said starter control circuit and adapted to be coupled to the power conducting line, said current sensing circuit being enabled by the sensor enable signal so as to generate a sensor output corresponding to magnitude of electrical current flowing through the power conducting line; and

a signal converting circuit connected to said current sensing circuit and said starter control circuit, said signal converting circuit converting the sensor output into a corresponding voltage output that is provided to said starter control circuit;

said starter control circuit determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the voltage output received from said signal converting circuit, and being adapted to restart the power mechanism upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful,

wherein the sensor output from said current sensing circuit includes pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs corresponding to the electrical current present in the power conducting line before, during and after the starting operation of the power mechanism, respectively;

wherein said signal converting circuit generates first, second and third voltage outputs corresponding to the pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs, respectively;

wherein said starter control circuit includes a signal receiver adapted to receive the start-initiate signal, and a judging circuit for determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the first, second and third voltage outputs from said signal converting circuit; and

wherein said judging circuit determines the starting operation to be successful when the third voltage output is found to be greater than the first voltage output but less than the second voltage output.

7. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said current sensing circuit includes a Hall sensor adapted to be sleeved on the power conducting line.

8. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an amplifier connected to said current sensing circuit and said signal converting circuit for amplifying the sensor output prior to receipt thereof by said signal converting circuit.

9. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said judging circuit determines the starting operation to be unsuccessful when the third voltage output is found to be equal to the first voltage output.

10. The remote-controlled starter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said starter control circuit ceases to activate the motor upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful for a predetermined number of times.