Starter machine system and method
First Claim
1. A starter machine control system comprising:
- a starter machine capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit, the starter machine further comprisinga solenoid assembly comprising a plunger and plunger contacts, a plunger-return biasing member, a contact over-travel biasing member, an auxiliary biasing member, at least a first coil winding and a second coil winding,an electromagnetic switch being electrically coupled to the first coil winding, the electromagnetic switch being configured and arranged to regulate at least a portion of a priming current passing through the first coil winding;
a first switch electrically coupled to the electromagnetic switch and configured and arranged to activate the electromagnetic switch to enable the priming current to pass from a power source through the first coil winding to a motor operatively coupled to a pinion; and
wherein activation of the electromagnetic switch causes the plunger to move to an artificial stopping point comprising the auxiliary biasing member engaging an artificial stop; and
a second switch electrically coupled to second coil winding and configured and arranged to enable a current from the power source to flow through the second coil winding; and
wherein the activation of the second switch causes the plunger to move from the artificial stopping point to a position where the plunger contacts are substantially coupled with first contacts enabling current to flow to the motor; and
wherein the motor is electrically coupled to the first coil winding, and wherein the electronic control unit is capable of closing the electromagnetic switch to circulate the priming current from the power source to the motor through the first coil winding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine control system including an electronic control unit. The control system can include a starter machine that is in communication with the electronic control unit. The starter machine can comprise a solenoid assembly that includes a plurality of biasing members and a first and a second coil winding. The starter machine can also include a motor that is coupled to a pinion. The starter machine can comprise an electromagnetic switch that is coupled to the first coil winding and is configured to regulate a priming current passing through the first coil winding. In some embodiments, the motor can be electrically coupled to the first winding and the control unit can be capable of closing the electromagnetic switch to circulate the priming current from a power source to the motor through the first coil winding.
101 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A starter machine control system comprising:
a starter machine capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit, the starter machine further comprising a solenoid assembly comprising a plunger and plunger contacts, a plunger-return biasing member, a contact over-travel biasing member, an auxiliary biasing member, at least a first coil winding and a second coil winding, an electromagnetic switch being electrically coupled to the first coil winding, the electromagnetic switch being configured and arranged to regulate at least a portion of a priming current passing through the first coil winding; a first switch electrically coupled to the electromagnetic switch and configured and arranged to activate the electromagnetic switch to enable the priming current to pass from a power source through the first coil winding to a motor operatively coupled to a pinion; and wherein activation of the electromagnetic switch causes the plunger to move to an artificial stopping point comprising the auxiliary biasing member engaging an artificial stop; and a second switch electrically coupled to second coil winding and configured and arranged to enable a current from the power source to flow through the second coil winding; and wherein the activation of the second switch causes the plunger to move from the artificial stopping point to a position where the plunger contacts are substantially coupled with first contacts enabling current to flow to the motor; and wherein the motor is electrically coupled to the first coil winding, and wherein the electronic control unit is capable of closing the electromagnetic switch to circulate the priming current from the power source to the motor through the first coil winding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Specification