Intelligent protection method and device for starter

Abstract

The application discloses an intelligent protection method and device for a starter, starts a main timing window, and controls the relay of the starter to be turned on in response to a starting request if the following two conduction conditions A and B are met simultaneously: A, the time interval from the last time the relay is powered off is greater than or equal to the interval limit time; B, the cumulative power-on time of the starter in the current main timing window is less than the cumulative time limit value; after the relay of the starter is turned on, the relay of the starter is turned off if any of the following two shutdown conditions a and b is met: a, the single power-on time length of the starter reaches the single power-on time limit value; b, an electrical characteristic representing the starting success of the engine or transmission abnormality is detected. Through the synergistic effect of the main timing window and the multi-dimensional condition judgment mechanism, the application dynamically optimizes the power-on timing sequence management of the starter, can effectively prevent the starter from overheating and failing in the repeated starting process, shortens the cooling waiting time, and improves the reliability of the protection mechanism and the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle starting control technology, specifically relating to an intelligent protection method and device for a starter motor. Background Technology

[0002] The electric starter motor for internal combustion engines is designed for short-time duty, typically completing the starting process within a few seconds to tens of seconds before disengaging. Because its power is significantly higher than that of a motor designed for long-time duty, and its heat capacity is relatively small, continuous power supply will rapidly accumulate heat, leading to overheating or even burnout.

[0003] Traditional bimetallic strip-based thermal protectors, a common protection method, control the starter switch solely based on whether the motor temperature exceeds a threshold, without limiting the number of starts or the duration of each energization. When the temperature reaches the disconnection point, the thermal protector disconnects the circuit and terminates operation; it re-closes when the temperature drops to the recovery point. These thermal protectors possess only a single thermal response characteristic and cannot integrate other protection functions. Additional protection requires the addition of electronic protectors, which not only increases system complexity and cost but also results in significant temperature parameter dispersion due to structural limitations. In particular, the recovery temperature is generally low, leading to excessively long cooling times. This can cause drivers to mistakenly believe the starter has failed and take inappropriate actions such as breaking down the road for assistance.

[0004] While existing electronic protectors can achieve multi-functional control, they can still cause the starter motor to overheat and fail when the engine malfunctions and the driver repeatedly starts the engine. In other words, they cannot effectively deal with such repeated operation scenarios, resulting in obvious defects in the protection mechanism.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies urgently need improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the aforementioned background technology and provide an intelligent protection method and device for starter motors, which can effectively prevent starter motors from overheating and failing during repeated starting, shorten cooling waiting time, and improve the reliability of the protection mechanism and user experience.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: an intelligent protection method for a starter motor, comprising the following steps: activating a main timing window, wherein the main timing window is periodically reset for a preset duration; In response to a start request, the relay controlling the starter motor will be activated if both of the following activation conditions A and B are met: A. The time interval since the last relay de-energization is greater than or equal to the interval limit time; B. The cumulative energization time of the starter motor within the current main timing window is less than the cumulative time limit; After the starter relay is turned on, the relay controlling the starter will turn off if either of the following turn-off conditions a or b is met: a) The starter motor's single-cycle energization time reaches the single-cycle energization time limit; b. Electrical characteristics indicating successful engine starting or transmission abnormality were detected.

[0008] Furthermore, the main timing window is activated in response to the power-on operation of the vehicle's main power supply, and is periodically reset for the preset duration during the power-on period of the main power supply.

[0009] Furthermore, the cumulative energization time is calculated based on the actual physical contact closure time of the relay. When the relay is turned off due to condition a or condition b or the ignition switch being actively disconnected, the actual energization time is added to the cumulative energization time.

[0010] Furthermore, when the cumulative power-on time reaches the cumulative time limit, the window enters a locked state, and the relay is prohibited from conducting for the remaining time of the main timing window.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a pre-start interlocking procedure: Before preparing to turn on the relay in response to a start request, the power supply voltage at the power supply terminal is checked. If the supply voltage is greater than or equal to the overvoltage threshold, it is determined that the engine is already running, and the relay is prohibited from conducting.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrical features characterizing successful engine starting include: During relay conduction, the starter's power supply voltage is monitored in real time; If the supply voltage exceeds the protection threshold, it is identified as a successful engine start-up.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrical characteristics characterizing the transmission abnormality include: During the set monitoring period after the relay is turned on, monitor the power supply voltage of the starter circuit; If the change in the power supply voltage is less than the ramp-up threshold, it is identified as a transmission abnormality.

[0014] Furthermore, the power supply voltage is the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay contact or the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay coil.

[0015] Furthermore, the interval limit is 3s-5s, the cumulative time limit is 30s-60s, the single power-on time limit is 15s-30s, and the preset duration of the main timing window is 120s or 240s.

[0016] An intelligent protection device for a starter motor, including The constant power input terminal is used to connect to the vehicle battery; The ignition signal input terminal is used to connect to the output terminal of the vehicle's ignition switch to receive the start trigger signal; A relay driver module is used to connect a relay and control the relay's on / off state based on the on / off control signal; The voltage detection module is used to collect the voltage at the power supply terminals of the relay contacts and the power supply terminals of the relay coil. The processing module is connected to the constant power input terminal, the ignition signal input terminal, the voltage detection module, and the relay drive module, respectively. The processing module is configured to execute the intelligent protection method for the starter as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and to send an on / off control signal to the relay drive module.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention dynamically optimizes starter motor energizing timing management through the synergistic effect of the main timing window and a multi-dimensional condition judgment mechanism, achieving the following technical effects: By utilizing the periodic reset mechanism of the main timing window, a predictable waiting expectation is provided to the driver, eliminating anxiety about indefinite stalls caused by overheating. By using the conduction conditions of cumulative power-on time less than the limit and interval limit time, the total heat generation of the starter is strictly limited per unit time, ensuring that the starter always operates within the safe heat capacity range. Combined with the shutdown conditions based on electrical characteristics (voltage rise and exceeding threshold), millisecond-level predictive power-off is achieved, effectively avoiding the risks of gear grinding and high-speed reverse drag burnout. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the intelligent protection device of the starter motor of the present invention applied to the starter motor control circuit.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the intelligent protection method for the starter motor of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a signal timing diagram of the starter protection process of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments to facilitate a clear understanding of the present invention, but these descriptions do not constitute a limitation on the present invention.

[0022] It should be understood that, when used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or a collection thereof.

[0023] Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in still other embodiments" appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0024] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of the application of the intelligent protection device of the starter motor in the starter motor control circuit. It includes intelligent protection device 1, relay 2 of starter motor 6, electromagnetic switch 3, battery 5 and ignition switch 4. Intelligent protection device 1 can control the on and off of relay 2 based on time signal, electrical characteristics and other factors during the start-up process of starter motor 6, thereby realizing thermal protection of starter motor.

[0025] Therefore, this application provides an intelligent protection device for a starter motor, including... Constant power input terminal (i.e.) Figure 1 The B+ terminal (in the model) is used to connect the vehicle battery. Ignition signal input terminal (i.e. Figure 1 The S+ terminal is used to connect to the output terminal of the vehicle's ignition switch to receive the start trigger signal; The relay drive module (not shown in the figure) is used to connect the relay and control the relay on and off based on the on / off control signal output by the processing module; The voltage detection module (not shown in the figure) is used to collect the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay contact and the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay coil. The processing module is connected to the constant power input terminal, the ignition signal input terminal, the voltage detection module, and the relay drive module, respectively. The processing module is configured to execute the intelligent protection method for the starter described below and send on / off control signals to the relay drive module.

[0026] Specifically, the constant power input terminal provides a continuous power supply to the processing module. After the vehicle's main power is turned on (i.e., powered on), the B+ terminal has a continuous voltage, ensuring that the accumulated power-on time data in the main timing window is not lost after the ignition switch returns to its original position, thus achieving a "memory" function. The ignition signal input terminal provides the trigger signal for the start request. The relay drive module, based on the control signal from the processing module, controls the relay to physically connect or disconnect the high-current circuit of the starter motor, directly determining whether the starter motor operates. The voltage detection module collects the voltage at the corresponding terminal, facilitating the provision of corresponding functional protections based on voltage judgment, such as overvoltage protection before starting, overrun protection after starting, and fault protection.

[0027] The processing module starts the main timing window when the vehicle's main power is powered on and resets it periodically for a preset duration. When a start trigger signal is received, the processing module first checks the status of the ignition signal input terminal and determines whether the relay conduction conditions are met: the voltage data collected by the voltage detection module is not overvoltage, the time interval since the last relay de-energization must be greater than or equal to the interval limit time, and the cumulative energization time of the starter in the current main timing window must be less than the cumulative time limit. If these conditions are met, the processing module controls the relay to conduct through the relay drive module, while simultaneously monitoring the conduction time, voltage changes at the relay contact power supply terminal and / or coil power supply terminal in real time.

[0028] Furthermore, the processing module continuously performs shutdown condition checks during relay conduction: if the starter motor's single-cycle energization time reaches the single-cycle energization time limit, or if the voltage detection module identifies electrical characteristics indicating successful engine starting or transmission abnormalities (e.g., the supply voltage exceeds the protection threshold, or the voltage change within the set monitoring period is less than the ramp-up threshold), a shutdown command is immediately issued to the relay drive module. Specifically, when the cumulative energization time reaches the cumulative time limit, the processing module enters a window lockout state, prohibiting relay conduction for the remaining time in the main timing window, thereby effectively preventing heat accumulation.

[0029] Through the above technical solution, the intelligent protection device of the starter in this application realizes refined management of the starter's operating status, which can prevent the starter from overheating and failing during repeated starting, shorten the cooling waiting time, and improve the reliability of the protection mechanism and user experience.

[0030] Based on the aforementioned intelligent protection device for the starter motor, this application also provides an intelligent protection method for the starter motor, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it includes the following steps: A main timer window is launched, and the main timer window is reset periodically for a preset duration; In response to a start request, the relay controlling the starter motor will be activated if both of the following activation conditions A and B are met: A. The time interval since the last relay de-energization is greater than or equal to the interval limit time; B. The cumulative energization time of the starter motor within the current main timing window is less than the cumulative time limit; After the starter relay is turned on, the relay controlling the starter will turn off if either of the following turn-off conditions a or b is met: a) The starter motor's single-cycle energization time reaches the single-cycle energization time limit; b. Electrical characteristics indicating successful engine starting or transmission abnormality were detected.

[0031] The main timing window refers to a preset time period within which the cumulative energization time of the starter motor is recorded and limited. This window resets periodically after startup at fixed preset intervals to provide a dynamic protection mechanism. The main timing window can be configured to start immediately upon power-on of the vehicle's main power supply and use an internal timer or system clock for timing. For example, a counter can be set to increment from zero when the main power supply is turned on, and when its value reaches a preset duration, the counter is reset to zero and starts incrementing again, thus achieving the periodic reset of the main timing window.

[0032] A start request is a trigger signal that initiates the starter motor to start. A start request can be triggered in various ways, such as by detecting the signal that the ignition switch has switched from the ACC position to the START position, or by a digital signal sent by the vehicle's central control unit (ECU).

[0033] The interval limit time refers to the minimum time interval that must be waited after the starter relay has been de-energized. During this interval, the starter is considered to be in a cooling state to prevent the engine flywheel from failing to engage and causing gear grinding during restarting due to inertia. The time interval since the last relay de-energization can be monitored by a separate timer. This timer starts every time the relay is de-energized and checks its current value with each start request. If the current value is less than the interval limit time, it indicates that start requests are frequent, and the relay will not respond. The timer is reset to zero when the relay is energized again.

[0034] The cumulative energizing time refers to the total duration during which the starter relay is actually in the conducting state within the current master timing window. This time is used to assess the thermal load of the starter within a specific time period. The cumulative energizing time can be counted using an accumulator that starts accumulating when the relay is turned on and stops when the relay is turned off. The accumulator is cleared when the master timing window is reset. The cumulative time limit refers to the maximum cumulative energizing time allowed for the starter within a single master timing window. Once the cumulative energizing time reaches this limit, the starter's starting operation (or relay conduction response) will be restricted to prevent overheating due to prolonged operation.

[0035] The single-cycle energization duration refers to the duration from activation to deactivation of the starter relay during a single start request response. This duration can be controlled by a single-cycle timer, which starts when the relay is activated and continues counting. When the timer's value reaches a preset single-cycle energization limit, the relay will be forcibly deactivated. The single-cycle energization time limit refers to the maximum allowable continuous energization time for the starter motor during a single start operation. When this limit is reached, the starter relay will be forcibly deactivated to prevent excessively long single-cycle operation.

[0036] Electrical characteristics refer to the ability to determine the engine's operating status or the presence of abnormal signals in the starter drive system by monitoring changes in electrical parameters of the starter-related circuits. These characteristics can be patterns of change in parameters such as voltage, current, and frequency. When an abnormal signal is detected, the relay is shut off.

[0037] The intelligent protection method for starters in this embodiment effectively avoids overheating damage or gear breakage caused by repeated starting or prolonged operation of the starter by comprehensively judging parameters such as the main timing window, interval limit time, cumulative power-on time, and single power-on duration. This method can dynamically protect the starter based on its actual operating status and thermal load, and can promptly identify whether the engine starts successfully or the transmission is abnormal, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the starter.

[0038] The protection method of this application will be specifically explained below with reference to the timing diagram of the starter motor starting process: like Figure 3 As shown, the red line represents the voltage change signal at the corresponding position when there is a start request, and the blue line represents the voltage change signal at the corresponding position when the relay responds. In the figure, time t1 is the start time of a main timing window, and time t6 is the end time of the previous main timing window and the start time of the next main timing window. This shows that the main timing window is reset periodically. The main timing window between time t1 and time t6 is called the first main timing window, and the main timing window after time t6 is called the second main timing window.

[0039] At time t1, if a start request is received and all other conduction conditions are met, the relay responds and conducts, then turns off after a certain period (either ignition successful or failed). At time t2, since the time interval Δt between this time and the last time the relay turned off is less than the interval limit time ΔT, the relay does not respond (i.e., it does not conduct) even if a start request is received. At time t3, since the time interval between this time and the last time the relay turned off exceeds the interval limit time ΔT, the relay can respond and conduct. For a certain period of time thereafter, the time interval is checked every time a start request is received, and the relay conducts when the time interval is met, until time t4, when the accumulated relay conduction time (i.e., the starter motor's energization time) reaches the accumulated time limit, and the window is locked. In the remaining time after time t4 in the first main timing window, even if a start request is received (at time t5), the relay will not respond.

[0040] Until time t6, the second main timing window begins, and the accumulated power-on time starts counting again. At time t7, there is a start request, but the relay does not respond, possibly because other conduction conditions are not met (such as voltage conditions not being met). At time t8, the relay responds synchronously when there is a start request. At time t9, the relay responds synchronously when there is a start request. Until time t10, there is still a start request, but because the relay response time (single power-on time of the starter) has reached the single power-on time limit, the relay is directly turned off.

[0041] As can be seen from the above examples, the protection method of this application forms a rigorous and intelligent protection logic through the main timing window, interval time limit, cumulative time limit, single power-on time limit, and electrical characteristic detection of successful engine starting and transmission abnormalities. This avoids overall overheating damage or gear breakage caused by repeated or prolonged operation of the starter motor, while providing precise and controllable protection.

[0042] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the main timing window be started in response to the power-on operation of the vehicle's main power supply, and be periodically reset for the preset duration during the power-on period of the main power supply.

[0043] Specifically, the main timing window is activated in response to the power-on operation of the vehicle's main power supply, indicating that the lifecycle of the main timing window is closely related to the overall power status of the vehicle. The main timing window is initialized and starts timing only when the vehicle's electrical system is activated for the first time, such as when the driver turns the ignition key to the ON position or presses the start button to power on the vehicle. This ensures that the starter protection system is in a known and consistent initial state at the beginning of each vehicle start cycle.

[0044] Meanwhile, once the vehicle's main power supply is powered on, the main timing window will continuously reset periodically according to a preset duration. This means that as long as the vehicle is running or preparing to run, the starter motor's protection mechanism remains active and refreshes its timing cycle. After the vehicle's main power supply is powered on, the system's internal timer begins counting. When the count reaches the preset duration, the timer resets to zero and restarts counting. At the same time, the accumulated power-on time and other related data in the main timing window are also cleared or re-evaluated. This mechanism ensures that the starter motor's protection logic can adapt to scenarios involving prolonged vehicle operation or multiple start attempts. For example, if the preset duration is 120 seconds, the main timing window will reset every 120 seconds, restarting the calculation of the accumulated power-on time.

[0045] Through the above technical solution, this application links the start of the main timing window with the power-on operation of the vehicle's main power supply, and periodically resets it during the power-on period. This ensures that the starter's intelligent protection system obtains a clear and consistent initial state at the beginning of each vehicle start-up cycle. This design avoids unnecessary timing when the vehicle power is not activated or the problem of uncertain timing status after power interruption. Simultaneously, the continuous periodic reset during the vehicle's main power supply allows key parameters such as the starter's cumulative power-on time to be effectively managed within a dynamically updated time window synchronized with the vehicle's actual operating state. This not only improves the accuracy and real-time performance of the protection logic but also allows for a more reasonable allocation of the starter's lifespan, preventing misjudgments or insufficient protection due to the timing mechanism being out of sync with the vehicle's actual operating state, thereby enhancing the starter's reliability and durability.

[0046] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the cumulative energization time is calculated based on the actual physical contact closing time of the relay. When the relay is turned off due to condition a or condition b or the ignition switch being actively disconnected, the actual energization time is added to the cumulative energization time.

[0047] Specifically, the cumulative energizing time is calculated based on the actual physical contact closure time of the relay. This means that the actual energizing time of the starter is determined by monitoring the actual physical state of the relay contacts. For example, a current sensor or voltage sensor can be installed in the relay contact circuit to detect in real time whether current flows through the starter, or to detect whether the voltage difference across the relay contacts meets the characteristics of a closed state. When the relay contacts are detected to be actually closed and the starter begins to be energized, the timer starts; when the relay contacts are detected to be actually open and the starter stops being energized, the timer stops, and the timer continues to accumulate based on the next time the relay contacts close within the same main timing window. This statistical method based on the physical contact state can effectively avoid timing errors caused by factors such as relay response delay, contact adhesion, or incomplete synchronization between the control signal and the actual action, ensuring the accuracy of the cumulative energizing time.

[0048] Simultaneously, when a relay is turned off due to condition a or condition b, or by actively disconnecting the ignition switch, the actual energizing time is added to the total accumulated energizing time. This ensures that regardless of the reason for the relay being turned off, its actual operating time within the current energizing cycle is accurately added to the total accumulated energizing time. For example, when a relay is turned off because the starter motor's single energizing time reaches the single energizing time limit (condition a), the system records and adds up the actual time from the closing of the relay's physical contacts to the opening of its physical contacts. Similarly, when a relay is turned off due to the detection of electrical characteristics indicating successful engine starting or transmission abnormalities (condition b), the system also records and adds up the actual time from the closing of the relay's physical contacts to the opening of its physical contacts. Furthermore, when the driver actively releases a start request via the ignition switch, causing the relay to be turned off, the system also accurately records and adds up the actual time from the closing of the relay's physical contacts to the opening of its physical contacts. This comprehensive accumulation mechanism ensures that all actual starter energization times are included in the statistics, avoiding the underestimation of cumulative energization time due to omission of certain shutdown scenarios, thus providing more comprehensive and reliable protection for the starter.

[0049] Through the above technical solution, this application limits the statistical basis of cumulative energization time to the actual physical contact closing time of the relay, and comprehensively covers the accumulation of actual energization time under various circumstances such as single energization time limit, successful engine starting or transmission abnormality detection, and active disconnection of the ignition switch. This improves the accuracy and completeness of the cumulative energization time statistics. The accurate cumulative energization time can more realistically reflect the actual workload of the starter, avoiding insufficient protection (starter overheating damage) or overprotection (unnecessary starting restrictions) caused by inaccurate timing. As a result, the intelligent protection method of the starter can more effectively balance the protection needs of the starter and the starting performance of the vehicle, extend the service life of the starter, and improve the user experience.

[0050] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that when the cumulative power-on time reaches the cumulative time limit, the system enters a window lockout state and prohibits the relay from conducting for the remaining time of the main timing window.

[0051] Specifically, the cumulative power-on time reaching the cumulative time limit means that within the current master timing window, the actual total power-on time of the starter has accumulated to the preset maximum allowable value. Once this limit is reached, it indicates that the starter has reached its upper limit of safe operation within the current working cycle.

[0052] When the above conditions are met, the system will enter a window-locked state. This window-locked state is a special operating mode in which the system actively and forcibly prevents the relay from conducting.

[0053] When the window is locked, the system will continuously disable the relay for the remaining time of the main timer window. This means that regardless of whether the user issues another start request or other start conditions are met, the starter relay will remain off until the current main timer window ends and resets. For example, if the preset duration of the main timer window is 120 seconds, and the accumulated power-on time reaches the limit at the 30th second, the relay will remain locked for the next 90 seconds.

[0054] Through the above technical solution, when the cumulative energization time of the starter reaches the preset cumulative time limit within the current main timing window, the system will immediately enter the window lockout state and explicitly prohibit the relay from conducting until the current main timing window is reset. This mechanism reduces the risk of the starter being damaged due to overheating or excessive wear, provides a forced cooling and recovery period for the starter, ensures the long-term reliability of the starter and the starting performance of the vehicle, thereby improving the robustness and effectiveness of the entire starter intelligent protection method.

[0055] In one embodiment, this application further proposes a pre-start latching step: before responding to a start request and preparing to turn on the relay, the power supply voltage at the power supply terminal is detected.

[0056] Responding to a start request refers to receiving a start command from the user, such as turning the ignition key to the start position or pressing the start button. The timing of the detection before activating the starter relay is emphasized; it must be performed before the starter relay actually closes and the starter motor begins to turn, ensuring a judgment can be made before the starter motor engages. Detecting the power supply voltage refers to obtaining the voltage value on the power line that provides power to the starter motor; this power supply terminal can be the relay contact power terminal or the relay coil power terminal.

[0057] A supply voltage greater than or equal to an overvoltage threshold is a crucial condition for determining the engine's operating status. When the engine is running normally, the vehicle's alternator typically charges the battery, at which point the voltage of the vehicle's electrical system will be higher than the battery's quiescent voltage. Therefore, the overvoltage threshold is set to a preset value slightly higher than the vehicle's normal quiescent battery voltage but lower than the alternator's normal charging voltage limit. For example, if the battery voltage is 24V, the overvoltage threshold can be set to 27.5V. When the detected supply voltage reaches or exceeds this threshold, it indicates that the vehicle's alternator is working, thus inferring that the engine is running. Once the engine is determined to be running, the system will prevent the starter relay from closing, thereby ensuring that the starter is not activated at an inappropriate time.

[0058] This application introduces power supply voltage detection after the start request response and before the relay conducts, effectively identifying whether the engine is already running. When the detected power supply voltage reaches or exceeds a preset overvoltage threshold, it is determined that the engine is running, thus promptly preventing the starter relay from conducting. This mechanism avoids re-activating the starter motor when the engine is already running, effectively preventing potential impacts and wear between the starter motor and the engine flywheel gear, extending the service life of the starter motor and related transmission components, and improving the reliability and safety of the system. Furthermore, this solution, combined with the aforementioned starter motor energization duration control mechanism, forms a more comprehensive starter motor protection strategy.

[0059] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the electrical features characterizing successful engine starting include: real-time monitoring of the starter motor's power supply voltage during relay conduction; if the power supply voltage exceeds a protection threshold, it is identified as a successful engine starting feature.

[0060] Specifically, real-time monitoring refers to continuously collecting starter motor voltage data throughout the entire process of the starter motor relay being activated and supplying power to the starter motor. The over-protection threshold is a preset voltage value, set based on the significant changes in the voltage characteristics of the starter motor power supply circuit caused by the reduced starter motor load or the engine starting to generate electricity after a successful engine start. When the engine starts successfully, the starter motor's current demand drops sharply, causing the supply voltage to rise back to near the vehicle battery's open-circuit voltage, and even further after the alternator starts working. Therefore, reaching the over-protection threshold typically refers to the supply voltage rising and stabilizing at a level higher than the initial starting stage. When the real-time monitored supply voltage remains above or equal to this threshold for a period of time (e.g., 50ms-100ms), it can be determined that the engine has started successfully.

[0061] Through the above technical solution, this application improves the reliability and real-time performance of starting success determination based on electrical characteristics. Once the engine is successfully started and identified, a shutdown signal can be immediately issued to disconnect the starter relay in a timely manner. This effectively prevents the starter from continuing to run under high-speed reverse drag while the engine is already running, reducing starter wear, extending its service life, reducing unnecessary energy consumption, and improving the efficiency and reliability of the entire starting system.

[0062] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the electrical characteristics characterizing the transmission abnormality include: monitoring the power supply voltage of the starter circuit during a set monitoring period after the relay is turned on; if the change in the power supply voltage is less than the ramp-up threshold, it is identified as a transmission abnormality characteristic.

[0063] Specifically, after the starter motor relay is activated, a preset monitoring period is immediately initiated. The length of this monitoring period can be empirically set based on the starter motor's starting characteristics and the engine's starting time; for example, it can be set to several hundred milliseconds to several seconds. The monitoring period can begin from the lowest voltage value. During this monitoring period, the power supply voltage of the starter motor circuit is continuously monitored and sampled in real time. The power supply voltage can be the voltage at the relay contact power supply terminal or the voltage at the relay coil power supply terminal. During the monitoring process, the change in the power supply voltage is calculated. This change can be reflected as the rise in power supply voltage during the monitoring period. For example, the difference between the highest and lowest power supply voltage values ​​during the monitoring period can be calculated.

[0064] The calculated change in supply voltage is then compared with a preset ramp-up threshold. The ramp-up threshold is an empirical value representing the minimum voltage change that the supply voltage should exhibit when the starter motor is normally driving the engine. When the starter motor is working normally and driving the engine, its voltage will have a normal ramp-up process. If the detected change in supply voltage is less than this ramp-up threshold, it indicates that the starter motor may not be effectively driving the load, such as due to starter motor idling, poor gear meshing (top gear failure), etc., resulting in a negligible voltage change. In this case, it will be identified as a transmission abnormality.

[0065] Through the above technical solution, this application can effectively prevent the starter motor from operating for extended periods under abnormal load conditions such as idling or gear failure. This judgment method based on changes in power supply voltage can more sensitively detect abnormal states between the starter motor and the engine transmission chain. Once abnormal transmission characteristics are detected, a relay shutdown operation will be immediately triggered, thereby promptly stopping the starter motor's operation. This effectively prevents mechanical wear caused by overload or idling, or overheating or even burnout of the switch due to gear blockage, thus improving the starter motor's service life and system reliability. This method can quickly determine the transmission status at the initial stage of starter motor operation, providing more precise and timely protection for the starter motor.

[0066] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the power supply voltage is the voltage of the relay contact power supply terminal (i.e., terminal B+ in the figure) or the voltage of the relay coil power supply terminal (i.e., terminal S+ in the figure).

[0067] The supply voltage refers to the electrical energy supply voltage used for starter motor operation. In practical applications, the measurement location of this voltage has a significant impact on the accuracy of the test results. Specifically, the supply voltage can refer to the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay contacts, which is typically directly connected to the vehicle battery and provides a high-current path to the starter motor. By monitoring the voltage at this point, the actual power supply status of the starter motor under operating conditions can be reflected in real time, including battery load capacity and line voltage drop, providing valuable reference for judging the actual operating status of the starter motor and the starting load of the engine. Alternatively, the supply voltage can also refer to the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay coil. The power supply terminal of the relay coil is usually controlled by the vehicle's ignition switch or engine control unit (ECU) to drive the relay to engage. Monitoring the voltage at this point can effectively determine whether the relay is correctly instructed to conduct and the operating status of the control circuit.

[0068] This application, by specifying the measurement location of the power supply voltage as the voltage at the relay contact power supply terminal or the voltage at the relay coil power supply terminal, ensures that the collected voltage data has higher accuracy and representativeness. The precise voltage measurement method improves the reliability and robustness of the starter intelligent protection method, effectively avoiding misjudgment or protection failure caused by improper selection of measurement points, thereby more effectively protecting the starter and engine system.

[0069] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the interval limit time ΔT is 3s-5s, the cumulative time limit is 30s-60s, the single power-on time limit is 15s-30s, and the preset duration of the main timing window is 120s-240s.

[0070] Specifically, the interval limit of 3-5 seconds aims to prevent gear grinding during starter motor coasting. The cumulative time limit of 30-60 seconds limits the total working time of the starter motor within a single master timing window to prevent overheating due to prolonged cumulative energization. For example, a cumulative time limit of 30 seconds means that the total energization time of the starter motor cannot exceed 30 seconds within a 120-second or 240-second master timing window. This is crucial for preventing damage to the starter motor due to excessive heat after multiple failed starting attempts. A limit of 60 seconds provides a longer cumulative working time, suitable for scenarios requiring a longer cumulative starting time.

[0071] The single-attempt power-on time limit of 15s-30s is used to limit the maximum duration of each continuous power-on of the starter motor, preventing instantaneous overload or overheating damage to the starter motor from a single prolonged starting attempt. For example, a 15-second single-attempt power-on time limit can effectively prevent users from keeping the engine in a running state for an extended period when it cannot start, thus protecting the starter motor from immediate damage; while a 30-second limit allows for longer single-attempt starting attempts in certain situations, such as when the engine requires a longer warm-up or pre-spinning time in low-temperature environments.

[0072] The preset duration of the main timing window is 120s-240s. This duration defines the period for calculating the cumulative energization time, providing a time frame for long-term protection of the starter motor. For example, a 120-second (2-minute) main timing window means that the cumulative energization time of the starter motor cannot exceed the set cumulative time limit within every 2 minutes; while a 240-second (4-minute) window provides a longer observation period, which helps to manage the thermal load of the starter motor on a longer timescale and ensure its overall safety after multiple starting attempts.

[0073] Through the above technical solution, this application provides practically proven, specific, and optimized time parameters for the intelligent protection method of the starter motor. The setting of these parameters makes the starter motor protection strategy more precise and reliable, effectively avoiding the risk of damage to the starter motor due to overheating or overload. At the same time, while ensuring starter motor safety, these parameters also fully consider the actual starting needs of the engine, avoiding frequent starting restrictions caused by excessive protection, thereby improving vehicle availability and user experience.

[0074] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the above modules / units are based on the same concept as the method embodiments of this application. For details on their specific implementation process, functions, and technical effects, please refer to the method embodiments section, and they will not be repeated here. The descriptions of each embodiment have their own emphasis; parts not detailed or recorded in a certain embodiment can be referred to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0075] It is understood that those skilled in the art will clearly recognize that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the above-described division of functional units and modules is used as an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional units and modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The functional units and modules in the embodiments can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit. Furthermore, the specific names of the functional units and modules are only for easy differentiation and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0076] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0077] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application. Content not described in detail in this specification belongs to the prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An intelligent protection method for a starter motor, characterized in that: A main timer window is launched, and the main timer window is reset periodically for a preset duration; In response to a start request, the relay controlling the starter motor will be activated if both of the following activation conditions A and B are met: A. The time interval since the last relay de-energization is greater than or equal to the interval limit time; B. The cumulative energization time of the starter in the current main timing window is less than the cumulative time limit; After the starter relay is turned on, the relay controlling the starter will turn off if either of the following turn-off conditions a or b is met: a) The starter motor's single-cycle energization time reaches the single-cycle energization time limit; b. Electrical characteristics indicating successful engine starting or transmission abnormality were detected.

2. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main timing window is activated in response to the power-on operation of the vehicle's main power supply, and is periodically reset for the preset duration during the power-on period.

3. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cumulative energization time is calculated based on the actual physical contact closure time of the relay. When the relay is turned off due to condition a or condition b or the ignition switch being actively disconnected, the actual energization time is added to the cumulative energization time.

4. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the cumulative power-on time reaches the cumulative time limit, the window enters a locked state, and the relay is prohibited from conducting for the remaining time in the main timer window.

5. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pre-start interlocking procedure: Before preparing to turn on the relay in response to a start request, the power supply voltage at the power supply terminal is checked. If the supply voltage is greater than or equal to the overvoltage threshold, the relay is prohibited from conducting.

6. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical features characterizing a successful engine start include: During relay conduction, the starter's power supply voltage is monitored in real time; If the supply voltage exceeds the protection threshold, it is identified as a successful engine start-up.

7. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical characteristics characterizing transmission abnormalities include: During the set monitoring period after the relay is turned on, monitor the power supply voltage of the starter circuit; If the change in the power supply voltage is less than the ramp-up threshold, it is identified as a transmission abnormality.

8. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 5, 6, or 7, characterized in that: The power supply voltage is the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay contact or the voltage at the power supply terminal of the relay coil.

9. The intelligent protection method for a starter motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interval limit is 3s-5s, the cumulative time limit is 30s-60s, the single power-on time limit is 15s-30s, and the preset duration of the main timing window is 120s-240s.

10. An intelligent protection device for a starter motor, characterized in that: include The constant power input terminal is used to connect to the vehicle battery; The ignition signal input terminal is used to connect to the output terminal of the vehicle's ignition switch to receive the start trigger signal; A relay driver module is used to connect a relay and control the relay's on / off state based on the on / off control signal; The voltage detection module is used to collect the voltage at the power supply terminals of the relay contacts and the power supply terminals of the relay coil. The processing module is connected to the constant power input terminal, the ignition signal input terminal, the voltage detection module, and the relay drive module, respectively. The processing module is configured to execute the intelligent protection method for the starter as described in any one of claims 1-9, and to send an on / off control signal to the relay drive module.

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