Protection device of engine starting device

• US 9,115,681 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2012
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Imamura, Fumihiko, Nakamura, Koin, Okuma, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/985,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20140026689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40.C, 701/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/00 Starting of engines by means of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/006 using a plurality of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 15/022 the starter comprising an intermediate clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0881 Components of the circuit not provided for by previous groups
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/2002 using different starting modes, methods, or actuators depending on circumstances, e.g. engine temperature or component wear
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/13 Machine starters

Abstract

Disclosed is a protection device of an engine starting device that protects the engine starting device provided with a plurality of starting devices including a starter capable of starting an engine and a motor/generator capable of starting the engine, the engine being started by driving the motor/generator under a first condition, the engine being started by driving the starter under a second condition less generated than the first condition, wherein the starter is forcedly driven on a regular basis.

Claims

1. A protection device of an engine starting device, the engine starting device being provided with a plurality of starting devices including a starter and a motor/generator, each of the starter and the motor/generator being configured to start the engine, the protection device protecting the starter, the engine being started by driving the motor/generator under a first condition, the engine being started by driving the starter under a second condition, a frequency of satisfaction of the second condition being less than that of the first condition, the second condition being a limited condition under which corrosion may occur in the starter in the event that the second condition has not been satisfied,

wherein the starter is forcedly driven when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

2. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the starter is forcedly driven when cranking is performed to start the engine.

3. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the starter is forcedly driven when cranking is performed to start the engine by driving the motor/generator.

4. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 2, wherein the starter is forcedly driven by causing the starter to run idle.

5. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 4, wherein the starter is forcedly driven at a noise blind timing.

6. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of:

a condition that a battery electrically connected to the motor generator is to be exchanged;

a condition that a hybrid vehicle on which the protection device is mounted travels by a predetermined distance;

a condition that a start operation of the engine is performed by a predetermined frequency;

or

a condition that an operation time of the hybrid vehicle or an operation time of the engine elapses by a predetermined time.

7. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of:

a condition that an outdoor air temperature or a cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;

a condition that a temperature of a battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined value;

or

a condition that a voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

8. The protection device of an engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of:

a condition of a start timing of the motor/generator;

a condition that it becomes a noise blind timing;

or

a condition that it becomes a noise blind timing in a case where the starter is a magnetic shift type starter in which a pinion gear meshes with a ring gear.