Cost-Effective Engine Restart System with Precision Current Control
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Summary
Problems
Existing engine automatic stop-and-start systems face challenges in restarting internal combustion engines efficiently and cost-effectively, as they require high-capacity power transistors for cranking the engine, which are expensive, and mechanical relays lack the accuracy to control current supply to the starter motor.
Innovation solutions
A system that uses a combination of a mechanical relay and an electronic switching element, where the mechanical relay supplies high current for engine restart and the electronic switching element controls current with high accuracy using PWM, preventing sudden voltage drops and reducing costs.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a high-capacity power transistor is used to supply high current for engine cranking, then the engine restart capability is achieved, but the system cost increases significantly
Why choose this principle:
The patent divides the switching function into two separate components: a mechanical relay for high-current supply and an electronic switching element for control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, using a low-cost mechanical relay for the high-current path and a small, inexpensive electronic switch for precise control, thereby avoiding the need for an expensive high-capacity power transistor while maintaining both power delivery and control capabilities
Principle concept:
If a high-capacity power transistor is used to supply high current for engine cranking, then the engine restart capability is achieved, but the system cost increases significantly
Why choose this principle:
The patent introduces a mechanical relay as an intermediary component between the power supply and the starter motor. This mechanical relay acts as a mediator that can handle high currents while being controlled by a low-power electronic switching element, thus bridging the gap between low-power control signals and high-power actuation without requiring expensive high-current electronic switches
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A system that uses a combination of a mechanical relay and an electronic switching element, where the mechanical relay supplies high current for engine restart and the electronic switching element controls current with high accuracy using PWM, preventing sudden voltage drops and reducing costs.
Abstract
In a system for cranking a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a starter is provided with a motor working to, when energized, rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator working to, when energized, shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and operative to output electrical power. A first mechanical relay is electrically connected between the power supply and the motor, and works to turn on and off a supply of a current based on the electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion. A switching element is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay, and works to turn on and off the supply of the current to the motor for rotating the pinion.