Device to prevent sudden starting of automobiles

• US 7,145,260 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Seok
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/025,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 290/38.00D
• 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 15/067 the starter comprising an electro-magnetically actuated lever

Abstract

The device for preventing sudden starting of an automobile includes a starting motor, a power source, a starting switch, a solenoid switch, first and second connecting terminals and an actuator. The starting switch is electrically coupled to the power source. The solenoid switch is mechanically coupled to the starting motor and electrically coupled to the starting switch. The first and second connecting terminals are spaced apart from one another. The first connecting terminal is electrically coupled to the starting motor and the second electrical terminal is electrically coupled to the starting switch. The actuator is disposed between the connecting terminals for effecting an electrical connection between the connecting terminals to apply operating power to the starting motor when both the starting switch is in an ON position and the actuator is supplied with an operating pressure generated by depression of a brake pedal.

Claims

1. A device for preventing sudden starting of an automobile having a starting system mounted with a pair of connecting terminals each spaced apart for selectively applying operating power to a starting motor via a solenoid switch according to an ON/OFF operation of a starting switch, wherein an actuator is mounted between the connecting terminals for effecting an electrical connection between the connecting terminals during starting of an engine according to an operating pressure generated by a depression of a brake pedal.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a housing having a pressure chamber for receiving the operating pressure via a hydraulic pressure pipe connected to a master cylinder and fixedly mounted at a predetermined location of a vehicle body;

a piston mounted in the pressure chamber and moved by the operating pressure;

a piston rod having a distal tip end coupled to the piston and the other distal tip end passing through the housing to be exposed outside; and

a return spring resiliently supporting a bottom surface of the piston.

3. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein the elastic force of the return spring is so established as to be larger than the moving power of a plunger during the magnetization of the coil unit at the solenoid switch.

4. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein the other distal tip end of the piston rod is so set up as to be positioned between the first and second connecting terminals when the brake pedal is relieved of depression.

5. The device as define in claim 2, wherein the hydraulic pressure pipe is branched out from a hydraulic pressure pipe disposed between wheel cylinders of each wheel and a master cylinder.

6. A device for preventing sudden starting of an automobile, said device comprising:

a starting motor;

a power source;

a starting switch electrically coupled to said power source;

a solenoid switch mechanically coupled to said starting motor and electrically coupled to said starting switch; and

first and second connecting terminals spaced apart from one another, where said first connecting terminal is electrically coupled to said starting motor and said second electrical terminal is electrically coupled to said starting switch;

an actuator disposed between the connecting terminals for effecting an electrical connection between the connecting terminals to apply operating power to said starting motor when both said starting switch is in an ON position to energize the solenoid switch and said actuator is supplied with an operating pressure generated by depression of a brake pedal.

7. The device as defined in claim 6, wherein the actuator comprises:

a housing having a pressure chamber for receiving the operating pressure via a hydraulic pressure pipe connected to a master cylinder and fixedly mounted at a predetermined location of a vehicle body;

a piston mounted in the pressure chamber and moved by the operating pressure;

a piston rod having a distal tip end coupled to the piston and the other distal tip end passing the housing to be exposed outside; and

a return spring resiliently supporting a bottom surface of the piston.

8. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein the elastic force of the return spring is so established as to be larger than the moving power of a plunger embodied during the magnetization of the coil unit at the solenoid switch.

9. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein the other distal tip end of the piston rod is so set up as to be positioned between the first and second connecting terminals when the brake pedal is relieved of depression thereof.

10. The device as define in claim 7, wherein the hydraulic pressure pipe is branched out from a hydraulic pressure pipe disposed between wheel cylinders of each wheel and the master cylinder.

11. A device for preventing sudden starting of an automobile, said device comprising:

a solenoid switch configured to be mechanically coupled to a starting motor and electrically coupled to a starting switch; and

first and second connecting terminals spaced apart from one another, where said first connecting terminal is configured to be electrically coupled to the starting motor and said second electrical terminal is configured to be electrically coupled to the starting switch;

an actuator disposed between the connecting terminals for preventing said solenoid from electrically connecting said first and second connecting terminals, except when both said starting switch is in an ON position and said actuator is supplied with an operating pressure generated by depression of a brake pedal.

12. The device as defined in claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises:

a housing having a pressure chamber for receiving the operating pressure via a hydraulic pressure pipe connected to a master cylinder and fixedly mounted at a predetermined location of a vehicle body;

a piston mounted in the pressure chamber and moved by the operating pressure;

a piston rod having a distal tip end coupled to the piston and the other distal tip end passing the housing to be exposed outside; and

a return spring resiliently supporting a bottom surface of the piston.

13. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein the elastic force of the return spring is so established as to be larger than the moving power of a plunger embodied during the magnetization of the coil unit at the solenoid switch.

14. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein the other distal tip end of the piston rod is so set up as to be positioned between the first and second connecting terminals when the brake pedal is relieved of depression thereof.

15. The device as define in claim 12, wherein the hydraulic pressure pipe is branched out from a hydraulic pressure pipe disposed between wheel cylinders of each wheel and the master cylinder.