Engine starting device
First Claim
1. An engine starting device for an automatic idle-stop system for performing an idle stop when an idle-stop condition is satisfied and restarting an engine when a restart condition is thereafter satisfied, the engine starting device comprising:
- a ring gear connected to a crankshaft of the engine;
a starter motor for starting the engine;
a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of said starter motor to said ring gear;
pinion-gear moving means for moving said pinion gear so as to achieve meshing engagement with said ring gear; and
starter control means for executing any one of a plurality of control modes for restarting the engine when the restart condition is satisfied,wherein said starter control means sets a dead zone in which the control modes are not executed for a time period when the engine is rotating only in a single direction throughout the dead zone, and engine-rpm is within a predetermined range entirely greater than zero rpm in said single direction throughout the dead zone,wherein at least one of the plurality of control modes is a control mode for restarting fuel supply to the engine so as to restart the engine only by a combustion of a fuel when the engine rpm is equal to or larger than a first predetermined rpm, andwherein the predetermined rpm range of the dead zone is a range between the first predetermined rpm and an rpm lower than the first predetermined rpm by an amount substantially equal to an rpm pulsation due to a torque fluctuation during each rotation of the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is an engine starting device enabling the meshing engagement of a pinion gear and a ring gear to be quickly and quietly achieved in an automatic idle-stop system while an engine is rotating by inertia. The engine starting device includes: a ring gear connected to a crankshaft of an engine; a starter motor for starting the engine; a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor to the ring gear; pinion-gear moving portion for moving the pinion gear so as to achieve meshing engagement with the ring gear; and starter control portion for executing any one of a plurality of control modes.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An engine starting device for an automatic idle-stop system for performing an idle stop when an idle-stop condition is satisfied and restarting an engine when a restart condition is thereafter satisfied, the engine starting device comprising:
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a ring gear connected to a crankshaft of the engine; a starter motor for starting the engine; a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of said starter motor to said ring gear; pinion-gear moving means for moving said pinion gear so as to achieve meshing engagement with said ring gear; and starter control means for executing any one of a plurality of control modes for restarting the engine when the restart condition is satisfied, wherein said starter control means sets a dead zone in which the control modes are not executed for a time period when the engine is rotating only in a single direction throughout the dead zone, and engine-rpm is within a predetermined range entirely greater than zero rpm in said single direction throughout the dead zone, wherein at least one of the plurality of control modes is a control mode for restarting fuel supply to the engine so as to restart the engine only by a combustion of a fuel when the engine rpm is equal to or larger than a first predetermined rpm, and wherein the predetermined rpm range of the dead zone is a range between the first predetermined rpm and an rpm lower than the first predetermined rpm by an amount substantially equal to an rpm pulsation due to a torque fluctuation during each rotation of the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification