Starter device for a four wheeled all terrain vehicle and straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle comprising the same

• US 6,703,717 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Maeda, Kazuhiro, Kawamoto, Yuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US10/099,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 290/38.R, 290/38.E, 290/48, 180/287, 180/271
• US Class Current: 290/38.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/103 according to the vehicle transmission or clutch status

Abstract

Disclosed are a highly-reliable starter device of a four-wheeled all terrain vehicle (ATV), reliably functioning corresponding switches even when a brake or neutral lamp is burned. This device is suitable to the straddle-type ATV provided with a transmission lever at a position different from the steering handle and provided with the starter switch in the vicinity of the handle grip. A drive circuit for connecting a starter motor for driving the engine to a power supply. In addition, two relays are connected in parallel to the starter circuit connecting a start relay to the power supply through the starter switch, and a brake switch and a neutral switch are connected in parallel with each other between the starter circuit and the ground. When each of the switches is closed, the corresponding relay is operated to close the starter circuit.

Claims

1. A starter device of a four wheeled all terrain vehicle including a starter motor operated by a power supplied from a power supply mounted in the vehicle;

an engine for driving the vehicle driven by the starter motor;

a transmission for transmitting a power of the engine;

a neutral lamp lighted up by the power supplied from the power supply to notify a neutral state of the transmission;

a brake operating means for operating a brake of the vehicle; and

a brake lamp lighted up by the power supplied from the power supply to notify a brake operation of the brake operating means, the starter device comprising;

a drive circuit for connecting the starter motor to the power supply;

a start relay;

a starter circuit for connecting the start relay to the power supply through a starter switch;

a first relay;

a neutral switch provided between the starter circuit and a ground;

a brake switch provided between the starter circuit and the ground so as to be in parallel with the neutral switch; and

a second relay provided in parallel with the first relay and in series with the neutral switch, wherein

the starter motor is energized

by at least either one of responsively closing the neutral switch to cause the neutral lamp connected to the power supply to be lighted up and to cause the second relay to be closed, when the transmission is at a neutral position, and

responsively closing the brake switch to cause the brake lamp connected to the power supply to be lighted up and to cause the first relay to be closed, when the brake operating means is operated, and

when the starter switch is operated to be closed to cause the start relay to be responsively closed.

2. The starter device of the four wheeled all terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the brake lamp is provided in parallel with the first relay and in series with the brake switch.

3. The starter device of the four wheeled all terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the neutral lamp is provided in parallel with the second relay and in series with the neutral switch.

4. A straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle, comprising:

the starter device according to claim 1;

a steering handle having a grip;

a transmission lever provided at a position of the vehicle'"'"'s body that is different from a position where the steering handle is provided, for operating in association with the neutral switch; and

a brake operating means operating in association with the brake switch, wherein

the starter switch is provided in the vicinity of the grip of the steering handle.

5. The straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the brake operating means is a hand brake provided in the vicinity of the grip of the steering handle.

6. The straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the brake operating means is a foot brake.