Electricity supply device and vehicle

• US 9,932,952 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2015
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tsusaka, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Viet
• Application Number:
  US14/662,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20150275838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 290 38 R, 290 40 R
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/06 and with ignition apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/103 Clutch pedal position

Abstract

An electricity supply device that reduces a delay in starting an engine. A vehicle includes a starter motor for starting an engine, a start magnet making and breaking connection between the starter motor and a battery, a fuel pump, and a control unit controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine. An electricity supply device of the vehicle includes: a main relay making and breaking connection between a load of the vehicle, the load not including the starter motor, the start magnet, and the battery; a clutch switch connected to the battery, and set in a conducting state when a clutch lever is gripped; a start switch connected between the clutch switch and a coil of the start magnet; and a diode allowing a current to flow from a point of connection between the clutch switch and the start switch to a coil of the main relay.

Claims

1. An electricity supply device for a vehicle, the vehicle including

a starter motor for starting an engine,

a start magnet making and breaking connection between the starter motor and a battery,

a fuel pump, and

a control unit controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine,

the electricity supply device comprising:

a main relay making and breaking connection between a load of the vehicle, the load not including the starter motor and the start magnet, and the battery;

a clutch switch connected to the battery, and set in a conducting state in a state of a clutch lever being gripped;

a start switch connected between the clutch switch and a coil of the start magnet; and

a diode allowing a current to flow from a point of connection between the clutch switch and the start switch to a coil of the main relay.

2. The electricity supply device according to claim 1,

wherein when the clutch switch is set in the conducting state, a current flows from the battery through the diode to the coil of the main relay to set the main relay in a conducting state, whereby the vehicle is set in a state in which the engine can be started.

3. The electricity supply device according to claim 2,

wherein after the state in which the engine can be started is set, the control unit controls an opened state and a closed state of the main relay.

4. The electricity supply device according to claim 3,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

5. The electricity supply device according to claim 2,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

6. The electricity supply device according to claim 1,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

7. The electricity supply device according to claim 6,

wherein when a first predetermined time has passed without the engine starting state being set after the state in which the engine can be started is set, the control unit sets the main relay in a nonconducting state.

8. The electricity supply device according to claim 7,

wherein when a second predetermined time has passed without the engine starting state being set after a stop of the engine is detected, the control unit sets the main relay in a nonconducting state.

9. The electricity supply device according to claim 6,

wherein when a second predetermined time has passed without the engine starting state being set after a stop of the engine is detected, the control unit sets the main relay in a nonconducting state.

10. An electricity supply device for a vehicle, the vehicle including

a starter motor for starting an engine,

a start magnet making and breaking connection between the starter motor and a battery,

a fuel pump, and

a control unit controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine,

the electricity supply device comprising:

a main relay making and breaking connection between a power supply line supplying direct-current power to a load of the vehicle, the load not including the starter motor and the start magnet, and the battery;

a clutch switch connected to the battery, and set in a conducting state in a state of a clutch lever being gripped;

a start switch connected between the clutch switch and a coil of the start magnet; and

a diode allowing a current to flow from a point of connection between the clutch switch and the start switch to the power supply line.

11. The electricity supply device according to claim 10,

wherein when the clutch switch is set in the conducting state, the direct-current power of the battery is supplied to the power supply line via the diode, whereby the vehicle is set in a state in which the engine can be started.

12. The electricity supply device according to claim 11,

wherein after the state in which the engine can be started is set, the control unit controls an opened state and a closed state of the main relay.

13. The electricity supply device according to claim 11,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

14. The electricity supply device according to claim 10,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a starter motor for starting an engine,

a start magnet making and breaking connection between the starter motor and a battery,

a fuel pump,

a control unit controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine, and,

an electricity supply device, said electrical supply device comprising;

a main relay making and breaking connection between a load of the vehicle, the load not including the starter motor and the start magnet, and the battery;

a clutch switch connected to the battery, and set in a conducting state in a state of a clutch lever being gripped;

a start switch connected between the clutch switch and a coil of the start magnet; and

a diode allowing a current to flow from a point of connection between the clutch switch and the start switch to a coil of the main relay.

16. A vehicle, comprising:

a starter motor for starting an engine,

a start magnet making and breaking connection between the starter motor and a battery,

a fuel pump,

a control unit controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine, and,

an electricity supply device, said electricity supply device comprising;

a main relay making and breaking connection between a power supply line supplying direct-current power to a load of the vehicle, the load not including the starter motor and the start magnet, and the battery;

a clutch switch connected to the battery, and set in a conducting state in a state of a clutch lever being gripped;

a start switch connected between the clutch switch and a coil of the start magnet; and

a diode allowing a current to flow from a point of connection between the clutch switch and the start switch to the power supply line.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16,

wherein when the clutch switch is set in the conducting state, the direct-current power of the battery is supplied to the power supply line via the diode, whereby the vehicle is set in a state in which the engine can be started.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17,

wherein after the state in which the engine can be started is set, the control unit controls an opened state and a closed state of the main relay.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18,

wherein when an engine starting state is set in which the clutch switch is in a conducting state and the start switch is in a conducting state, a current flows from the battery to the coil of the start magnet, whereby the starter motor and the battery are connected to each other.

20. The vehicle according to claim 19,

wherein when a first predetermined time has passed without the engine starting state being set after the state in which the engine can be started is set, the control unit sets the main relay in a nonconducting state.