Starter system for an engine

• US 9,759,175 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2016
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton LLC (Briggs & Stratton Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Hansen, Jason A., Koenen, Robert, Procknow, David W., Lavender, Stephen J., Elvers, Jason D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US15/011,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20160146174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 56 105, 56 108, 56 111, 56 113, 56 117, 56 118, 56 102 R, 172 40- 42, 180 662, 180 193, 180315, 180334, 180 634, 180 654- 658, 180273, 12318514, 1231795, 123198 DC, 123630, 318430, 318778, 318783, 318825, 417234, 417364
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/006 Control or measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/6818 Motor starting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/76 Driving mechanisms for the cutters
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/78 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/824 Handle arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/828 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/00 Starting of engines by means of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0822 related to action of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• 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: F04B 17/05 driven by internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control

Abstract

Outdoor power equipment includes an internal combustion engine including an electric motor, a battery receiving port, a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the electric motor to start the engine, an implement driven by the internal combustion engine, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to put the implement in a ready-to-run condition in which the implement is ready to be driven by the engine, a run sensor configured to detect the ready-to-run condition, a switch actuated by the release mechanism, and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor to start the engine in response to the signal from the switch and the run sensor detecting the ready-to-run condition.

Claims

1. Outdoor power equipment, comprising:

an internal combustion engine including an engine cover;

an electric motor configured to start the internal combustion engine;

a battery receiving port;

a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the electric motor to start the engine;

an implement driven by the internal combustion engine;

a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to put the implement in a ready-to-run condition in which the implement is ready to be driven by the internal combustion engine;

a run sensor configured to detect the ready-to-run condition;

a switch actuated by the release mechanism; and

a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor to start the internal combustion engine in response to the signal from the switch and the run sensor detecting the ready-to-run condition.

2. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, wherein the control module is spaced apart from the internal combustion engine.

3. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, wherein the switch is a component of the control module.

4. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, wherein the battery receiving port is integrated with the engine cover.

5. The outdoor power equipment of claim 4, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the rechargeable battery in the battery receiving port.

6. The outdoor power equipment of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be released by a user to allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery receiving port.

7. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, wherein the electric start control module further comprises:

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the starter motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

8. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, further comprising:

an engine speed sensor, configured to detect when the internal combustion engine is running at a threshold speed, wherein the engine speed sensor is coupled to the control module, and wherein the control module turns off the electric motor when the engine speed sensor detects the threshold speed.

9. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the rechargeable battery in the battery receiving port, wherein the battery receiving port is integrated with the engine cover, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be released by a user to allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery receiving port.

10. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, further comprising:

wherein the battery receiving port is integrated with the engine cover.

11. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, wherein the control module further comprises:

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the electric motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

12. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the rechargeable battery in the battery receiving port, wherein the battery receiving port is integrated with the engine cover.

13. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the rechargeable battery in the battery receiving port.

14. The outdoor power equipment of claim 8, wherein the control module further comprises:

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the electric motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

15. The outdoor power equipment of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the rechargeable battery in the battery receiving port.

16. The outdoor power equipment of claim 15, wherein the control module further comprises:

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the electric motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

17. The outdoor power equipment of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be released by a user to allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery receiving port;

and wherein the control module further comprises;

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the electric motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

18. The outdoor power equipment of claim 15, wherein the battery receiving port is integrated with the engine cover;

and wherein the control module further comprises;

a housing,

a first connector configured to electrically connect to a release mechanism wiring harness, and

a second connector configured to electrically connect to the electric motor, wherein the first connector and the second connector are located on opposite sides of the housing.

19. The outdoor power equipment of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be released by a user to allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery receiving port.

20. The outdoor power equipment of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be released by a user to allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery receiving port.