STARTING PROCEDURE OF AN INTERIOR POWER ENGINE

Description

State of the art

[0001] Commercial vehicles use starters with relatively high power. These starters have stringent service life requirements. This means, in particular, that wear on the starter pinion and engagement pinion, as well as on the engine's ring gear, should be kept to a minimum. To achieve this, two-stage, single-track electric systems are typically used.

[0002] The reason for this is that in single-stage starter systems, when the pinion meshes with the ring gear, a predominant proportion of so-called tooth-on-tooth positions occur. These are then resolved by a large axial force from the engagement relay, or if installed, the meshing spring located between them, and in conjunction with a large starting torque. This high starting torque leads to a large tangential force on the teeth of the pinion and ring gear. All of this causes relatively high mechanical wear. For this reason, the two-stage meshing systems mentioned above are used. For example, during pre-toeing of the pinion, it is also rotated. For this purpose, a relatively small current flows through the electric starter motor. In this first stage of meshing, the probability that the pinion teeth can mesh with the gaps in the ring gear is increased.

[0003] To minimize wear on the pinion and ring gear while still achieving an electrically and thermally suitable and reliable design, a so-called dual-chamber winding has been used for years in various starter types sold by Robert Bosch GmbH for commercial vehicles. The starter types mentioned include the HEF95-L, HXF95-L, HEF 109-M, HEF 109-MP, HEF109-L, and their parallel starter versions, the HEP109. In these starter types, the engagement relay contains a winding arrangement as described in the published application of German patent application DE 10 2004 032 373 A1. The winding arrangement known from this document is what experts refer to as the dual-chamber winding. A pull-in winding is energized at the beginning of the starting process and conducts the so-called twisting current during the meshing process (first stage) to the starter motor, which is then set in slight rotation.This pull-in winding is deactivated by means of a so-called normally closed contact when the main current switch—sometimes also referred to as the contact plate—is lifted from the normally closed contact by the magnetic armature in the contactor relay. Furthermore, the two-chamber winding has a holding winding, which applies the actual magnetic pull-in forces but also securely holds the magnetic armature in the operating position after the pull-in winding is deactivated. The majority of the magnetic pull-in forces are generated by the holding winding (approximately 6,000 ampere-turns); the magnetic force of the pull-in winding is comparatively low at approximately 1,000 ampere-turns.

[0004] Compared to a previously common winding arrangement with a so-called meander winding – compare, for example, with the German patent application DE 198 14 504 A1 – the version with a pull-in and holding winding offers significant functional advantages, but the holding winding can still be further optimized. For example, the magnetic tensile forces are limited due to the design. It is a compromise between maximum magnetic tensile force and thermal stability of the winding, so the maximum permissible duty cycle is limited. Further optimization of the achievable dynamic meshing depth or the temperature function limit would be accompanied by a reduction in the thermal stability of the winding system. The dynamic meshing depth is the depth that the pinion or engagement pinion reaches in the toothing of the ring gear until the main current switch closes.

[0005] Particularly when the electric motor in starter devices is enlarged for higher power outputs, the possible duty cycle of the electric motor is extended by, for example, 50% to 80% compared to less powerful motors. However, the temperature load capacity of different internal combustion engines varies and therefore reaches its limits in some combinations, or the winding arrangement in the starter relay represents the limiting element, so that its maximum permissible operating temperature is reached.

[0006] German Patent Application DE 37 37 430 A1 discloses a starting device that has an engagement relay for a pinion that meshes with a gear ring. This engagement relay has three windings for this purpose. A winding referred to as the coil section, which is arranged in series with a diode, experiences a changed applied voltage after being energized by an auxiliary switch only when a main current contact closes. All three windings thus energize the electric motor, which rotates until this event occurs.

[0007] From published patent application WO 2013 / 093365 A1, a starting device is known with an embodiment that includes a solenoid that serves to mesh a pinion with a gear ring. A contact plate is brought into contact with an intermediate terminal by a rotation with an axis perpendicular to the stroke axis of the other solenoid, thereby supplying an amount of current to the motor for driving the gear ring. EP 2 795 650 B1 describes another starting device for an internal combustion engine.

[0008] One aspect of the invention is therefore the optimization of the parameters related to the magnetic tensile forces in the engagement relay and the maximum possible duty cycle. In doing so, it is important to ensure that the starting behavior of the electric motor or starter motor, i.e., its characteristic curve when towing the internal combustion engine via the ring gear, is as reasonable as possible. Furthermore, the use of materials should be optimized so that, for example, the amount of copper wire required for the winding arrangement is minimized. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to a first aspect, the starting device provided for the method is designed with a drive pinion for meshing with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine such that the pinion can be rotated by an electric rotary drive and axially displaced by an electric linear drive. The electric linear drive has a lifting magnet with a linear armature that is movable by a combination of different windings within these windings. In this case, retraction windings are installed that are only energized during the retraction process. In addition, the linear drive has a holding winding by which the linear armature can be held in a retracted state. The linear drive also serves to actuate a switching device by means of which the electric rotary drive can be switched on.It is provided that in addition to the first pull-in winding, there is a second pull-in winding which is connected in parallel to the first pull-in winding.

[0010] The linear actuator therefore has three windings. This means that, for the high tensile force required for retracting the thrust armature and pushing the drive pinion, a pull-in winding and a holding winding are provided, which are connected in parallel and act in the same direction. During the first phase of operation of the starting device, the relatively high torque current for the electric rotary drive flows through a relatively low-impedance pull-in winding in the linear actuator. Because this first pull-in winding in the linear actuator has a relatively low magnetic effect, it can be connected in positive or negative feedback with the holding winding and the other, the second pull-in winding, in order to influence the dynamics of the linear actuator and thus the movement of the thrust armature in the linear actuator and to optimize it depending on the design. As the linear actuator continues, an NC switch is actuated, i.e.opened so that a twisting current is or can be switched off after a first time period of, for example, approximately 50 milliseconds to 70 milliseconds and so a magnetic pulling force on the thrust armature is or can be generated only by the second pull-in winding and the holding winding.

[0011] After a subsequent second time period, the arrangement enables the second pull-in winding to be electrically switched off. This second time period lasts, for example and typically, approximately 10 milliseconds to 20 milliseconds. The switching off of the second pull-in winding is in fact a short circuit in the second pull-in winding, since the closing of the main current contacts means that the start and end of the second pull-in winding are at almost the same electrical potential. Thus, although a minimal current flows through the second pull-in winding, this current is of no practical use. The second pull-in winding is therefore almost no longer magnetically effective. The holding force for the thrust armature is therefore practically only generated by the holding winding. In comparison with previously known designs of such thrust drives orIn this situation, however, a significantly reduced electrical current flows through the holding winding of the starter relay. This can be reduced by approximately 40%, for example. This subsequently allows for an extended maximum possible duty cycle of the linear actuator, since the reduced current also significantly reduces the heating of the entire linear actuator. This allows the user of such a starting device to exploit the full thermal potential of the electric rotary actuator.

[0012] For switching off the linear actuator, a design requirement is that the number of turns of the holding winding is approximately equal to the number of turns of the second pull-in winding. Otherwise, such a linear actuator can be switched on but cannot be switched off.

[0013] By optimizing the various winding parameters, a winding system can be created that exhibits the following properties: Compared to existing systems with a dual-chamber winding, such an optimized thrust drive results in a higher temperature limit at which overall function is reliably achieved. The temperature limit can be increased by approximately 10% with such an optimized system.

[0014] This new system allows for a significant increase in duty cycles, as the power loss of the holding winding is reduced compared to previous systems with dual-chamber windings. Depending on the operating mode, the extended duty cycle can be up to approximately 60% longer than before. The existing characteristics of the torque current, such as the current magnitude and duty cycle during the first stage, can be retained. If such thrust drives are used with previously known starting devices, for example, in combination with the already known HEF109-M or HEF109-L starting devices, the starting behavior and thus the service life of the starter or starting devices will not be negatively affected.

[0015] Compared to a previous system with a two-chamber winding, the copper insert weight is reduced by approximately 15%. The copper insert weight corresponds to the sum of the copper mass in the holding winding and the second pull-in winding. The first pull-in winding, for example, is made of a special resistance alloy and is therefore not included in the copper insert weight.

[0016] It is intended that, in the switched-on position of the electric linear actuator, a main current switch of the switching device is closed and the normally closed switch of the switching device is open. This has the advantage that a significant current flows through the electric rotary actuator for a short time while the normally closed switch is closed and energized simultaneously, causing the rotary actuator to rotate the drive pinion.The rotation of the drive pinion is not too strong during this phase, so that while the holding winding and the second pull-in winding are simultaneously energized, the thrust drive simultaneously pushes the drive pinion towards the ring gear of the internal combustion engine. The interaction of the translational and rotary movement of the drive pinion is highly likely to result in a position relative to the ring gear such that a tooth of the drive pinion's teeth penetrates a gap in the ring gear's teeth. This ultimately prevents a drive pinion resting on the ring gear's teeth from rotating along the end face of the ring gear with high starting dynamics and consequently at high speed, repeatedly penetrating the gaps in the ring gear's teeth slightly with the drive pinion's teeth, but also repeatedly being pushed out of these gaps in the ring gear's teeth.This pushing out and repeated slight penetration into the gear ring's teeth results in loud rattling, which is an audible sign that the gear teeth of the drive pinion and the gear ring are undergoing significant mutual wear. Even if this process sometimes only lasts fractions of a second, disproportionately large wear is generated over the service life of the starting system. According to a further aspect of the device, a current path to the first pull-in winding is open when the break switch of the switching device is open.

[0017] The design is such that, when the normally closed switch is open, a current path is closed through the second pull-in winding. This has the advantage that, when the holding winding and the second pull-in winding are wound in the same direction, these two windings support the further penetration of the drive pinion into the ring gear of the internal combustion engine.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the holding winding is wound in the same direction as the second pull-in winding and the first pull-in winding is also wound in the same direction, i.e. all three windings are wound in the same winding direction. This has the effect that when the first pull-in winding is switched off, the sum of the entire magnetic field of the three windings becomes weaker. This has the advantage that the dynamics of this thrust drive and in particular of the thrust armature are ultimately adapted to the changed situation. This means that the thrust armature, which is now in motion, no longer needs to be moved from complete inertia (rest state) and can therefore continue to be moved with less thrust energy.For example, with such an arrangement it is achieved that the impact of the thrust armature on the magnetic return of the thrust drive is less strong and thus the noise generation is lower.

[0019] When the first pull-in winding is deactivated, which can account for approximately 15% of the total flux, mutual induction occurs in the two other current-carrying coils, the holding winding and the second pull-in winding. This means that the current through the two coils, the holding winding and the second pull-in winding, is briefly increased due to the collapsing magnetic field in the first pull-in winding. Further advantages include the increased temperature limit, as the magnetic linear drive is additionally magnetically supported by the first pull-in winding even at high temperatures of the copper windings. This also shortens the pinion's rotation time, allowing the meshing behavior to be optimized depending on the starting behavior of the electric motor component.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first pull-in winding is wound in a different direction than the second pull-in winding and also in a different direction to the holding winding. This has the advantage that the diminishing magnetic field of the first pull-in winding amplifies the balance of the total magnetic flux as the sum of the fluxes of the second pull-in winding and the holding winding, thus accelerating it further after the twisting and meshing process is most likely completed. Depending on the starting behavior of the electric motor component, this connection can offer advantages in coordinating the duration of the meshing process and the subsequent pull-in behavior.

[0021] In the version with three partial windings, the distribution is such that the holding winding has approximately 2,800 ampere-turns and thus provides approximately 45% of the pull-in force and 100% of the holding force. The first pull-in winding has approximately 1,000 ampere-turns and slows down the pull-in function of the second pull-in winding and the holding winding by 1,000 ampere-turns in the first approximately 70 ms, providing the torque current. The second pull-in winding has approximately 3,300 ampere-turns and provides approximately 55% of the pull-in force.

[0022] One of the main advantages, whether with a first pull-in winding wound in the same or opposite direction, is that three different windings are ultimately involved in generating the thrust and are ultimately switched off in stages. This gradual switching off means that, depending on the state of movement of the thrust armature, the individual pull-in windings are switched off one after the other or are practically ineffective. This ultimately enables the holding winding to be dimensioned to meet requirements and reduced overall. This means that this holding winding, which generates the holding force during the cranking phase of the combustion engine, requires less than half the original mass, i.e. the copper mass that is supplied with current, compared to a previously used holding winding.The second pull-in winding which is nevertheless provided can be designed with reduced copper mass, since it is only briefly energized during the pull-in process. A further aspect of the invention is that the linear drive has a coil carrier, wherein the first pull-in winding is arranged in a first annular cross-section of a winding volume of the coil carrier and the second pull-in winding is arranged in a second annular cross-section of a winding volume of the coil carrier and preferably surrounds the first pull-in winding with part of the annular cross-section, wherein the holding winding is arranged in a third annular cross-section of the winding volume of the coil carrier and surrounds both the first pull-in winding and the second pull-in winding.This has the advantage that the winding which is energized for the longest time during the entire engagement and starting process of the starting device can use the second pull-in winding as a heat sink after the second pull-in winding has been effectively switched off and can simultaneously dissipate heat via the housing of the thrust drive.

[0023] Further advantages arise from the method according to the invention. Furthermore, further advantages and useful embodiments emerge from the description and the drawings.

[0024] They show: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a starting device, Figure 2 shows a basic representation of a longitudinal section of a coil carrier of the linear drive with the position of a first pull-in winding, a second pull-in winding and a holding winding, Figure 3 shows a first circuit diagram of the starting device from Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a second circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment based on the first embodiment.

[0025] The same reference symbols indicate the same components.

[0026] In Figure 1A starting device 1 is shown in longitudinal section. This starting device 1 has a rotary drive 10 with a pole housing 11. An excitation winding 12 is arranged in the pole housing 11. The rotary drive 10, with its armature 15, drives an armature shaft 13 which carries a commutator 16. Sliding contacts 17, often also referred to as carbon brushes, are located on the commutator 16. The sliding contacts 17 are supplied or supplied during operation via a power supply 18. Above the pole housing 11 is an engagement relay which has a linear drive 19 and a switching device 191. The armature shaft 13 is mounted with its commutator or commutator-side end in a commutator bearing 21 of a commutator bearing cover 211. At its other end, the armature shaft 13 has a structure which engages as a sun gear in the planetary gear with roller freewheel 50.A steep thread of the output shaft 25, which has a drive pinion 26 at its outer end, extends into this recess. As a variant, a separate pinion can also be connected to the drive shaft 25 via a longitudinal toothing. This pinion can be brought into engagement with the ring gear 27 of the internal combustion engine to be started by appropriately displacing the output shaft 25.

[0027] At an open end 29 of the armature shaft 13, on its outer side, there is a longitudinal toothing 30, which forms a sun gear of a countershaft gear 28 designed as a planetary gear. This sun gear can also be designed separately and mounted on a straight toothing of the armature shaft 13. Planetary gears 32 mesh with the sun gear, which in turn mesh with a fixed ring gear 33.

[0028] An elongated drive bearing 36 is axially connected to the pole housing 11, which bears against an end surface 38 of the pole housing 11 with a collar 37. A sealing plate 39 is arranged between the drive bearing 36 and the pole housing 11. The drive bearing 36, the pole housing 11, and the commutator bearing 21 are held together by tie rods 41. A roller bearing 44 for the output shaft 25 is arranged in a bore 43 in a bearing plate 42 of the drive bearing 36. In this embodiment, the drive pinion 6 is located outside the bearing plate 42.

[0029] Within the drive bearing 36 is an intermediate bearing 46, which accommodates a roller bearing 47 in a central bore, in which one part of a bush-shaped inner ring 48 of a freewheel 50 is mounted. On an inner side of the inner ring 48, an internal helix thread 51 is formed, into which a matching external helix thread 52 engages at an inner end of the output shaft 25. The external helix thread 52 is relatively long, so that even with a large displacement of the output shaft 25, the internal helix thread 51 and the external helix thread 52 always remain engaged with each other.

[0030] Between a driver 54 of the freewheel 50 and the inner ring 48, cylindrical rollers 55 are located in the usual manner. These rollers run as clamping bodies on a wedge track of the inner ring 48. The driver 54 has, on its end face facing the rotary drive 10, several blind bores 57 into which bolts 58 are pressed, which support the planetary gears 32 of the planetary gear. Between the inner ring 48 and the outer ring, which is the driver 54, there is a bearing 60, which can be designed as a rolling bearing or a plain bearing. The planetary gears 32 are also mounted by means of rolling bearings (not further designated).

[0031] The engagement relay 20 has a housing 62 that is open toward the drive bearing 36. It has a flat end face 63 there, which in this case lies in the plane of the end face 38 of the pole housing 11 and the annular collar 37 of the drive bearing 36. In the area of ​​the engagement relay 20, the drive bearing 36 has a flange-like housing extension 36A through which several screws 64 penetrate and firmly connect the housing 62 of the engagement relay 20 to the drive bearing 36. The sealing plate 39 extends to the housing 62, rests against the flat end face 63 of the housing 62, and extends to the outside of the extension 36A of the drive bearing 36.

[0032] The following describes the engagement relay 20. It has a coil arrangement 66, which has a pull-in winding, the first pull-in winding 661, a second pull-in winding 662, and a so-called holding winding 663. A thrust armature 67 is guided within this coil arrangement 66. This thrust armature 67, or magnet armature, has a central bore 68, in which, on the one hand, a switching pin 69 is mounted, which carries a contact plate of the switching device 191 at its end protruding from a magnetic yoke. Two contacts are mounted in a relay housing cover 70, which are electrically connected to one another by the contact plate 192. One contact is a positive-side contact 193, and the other contact is a drive-side contact 194. A pressure pin 71 is fixedly arranged in the bore 68 of the thrust armature 67, coaxial with the switching pin 69. This protrudes into a movable plastic sleeve 73 provided with a longitudinal slot.A metal sleeve 75 is attached to the outer end of the thrust armature 67, in which a meshing spring 76 is arranged. The thrust pin 71 acts on an engagement lever 78, which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 79 fixed to the housing. At its other end, this engagement lever 78 is articulated to the output shaft 25 by means of a device 80. By moving the thrust armature 67, the engagement lever 78 is pivoted and thus the output shaft 25 is displaced, whereby the drive pinion 26 is engaged with the gear ring 27.

[0033] As already mentioned, the starting device 1 has an electric thrust drive 19. This thrust drive 19 has, as a previously unmentioned subunit, a so-called lifting magnet, which has the thrust armature 67 and whose position in the lifting magnet 100 is influenced in its movement dynamics and its rest position by the coil arrangement 66, and in particular by the first pull-in winding 661, the second pull-in winding 662, and the holding winding 663.

[0034] Figure 2 shows schematically and by way of example a part of a longitudinal section of the coil arrangement 66. The linear drive 106 carries in its housing 62 a coil carrier 130, around which, ie around its tubular section 133, the three windings first pull-in winding 661, second pull-in winding 662 and holding winding 663 are arranged.

[0035] The coil carrier 130 has a generally annular cross-section radially outside the tubular section 133 and between a flange 136 of the coil carrier at one end of the tubular section 133 and another flange 139 of the coil carrier 130, which represents a so-called winding volume 142 (total winding volume). The first pull-in winding 661 is arranged in a first annular volume of the winding volume 142. This first annular volume is represented by Figure 2a cross-section 145. This cross-section 145 is a cross-section through this first annular volume. The second pull-in winding 662 is arranged in a second annular volume, a winding volume, which is represented by the annular cross-section 148 and which is part of the total winding volume of the coil carrier 130. This second annular volume of the second pull-in winding 662 preferably surrounds the first pull-in winding 661 with a part of this annular volume. This case is in Figure 2This means that the annular volume of the second pull-in winding 662 preferably has a pot-shaped configuration. This pot-shaped configuration accordingly has a space in which no conductor of the second pull-in winding 662 is arranged. The first pull-in winding 661 is thus arranged immersed in this space. The second pull-in winding 662 thus surrounds the first pull-in winding 661 with a portion of the annular volume. The holding winding 663 is arranged in a third annular volume of the winding volume 142 of the coil carrier 130. The holding winding 663 surrounds both the first pull-in winding 661 and the second pull-in winding 662. The cross section 151 represents this third annular volume mentioned. The winding volume 142 of the coil carrier 130 is thus composed of the winding volumes of the first pull-in winding 661, the second pull-in winding 662 and the holding winding 663.Particularly preferably, the coil carrier 130 has an annular wall 153 between the first pull-in winding 661 and the second pull-in winding 662. It is also provided that the terminals 154, 155 of the first pull-in winding 661 pass through one flange 139. Likewise, it is provided that the terminals 156, 157 of the second pull-in winding 662 also pass through the flange 139. For the holding winding 663, it is also provided that terminals 158, 159 pass through the flange 139. Thus, particularly preferably, all terminals 154 to 159 pass through one flange 139. By "passing through" the flange 139, we mean that, for example, one or more slots are provided in the flange 139 through which all terminals 154 to 159 pass. Furthermore, an insulation layer 162 is particularly preferably arranged between the pull-in winding 661 and the pull-in winding 662.For this purpose, a plastic clip is particularly preferably applied or an adhesive tape is wound onto the first insulation layer 661. Furthermore, an insulation layer 163 is particularly preferably arranged between the second pull-in winding and the holding winding 663, ie preferably glued or inserted onto the pull-in winding 662.

[0036] In Figure 3A circuit diagram of the above-mentioned starting device 1 is shown in a first exemplary embodiment. The circuit is described in more detail below. The rotary drive 10 with its excitation winding 12 is connected to a negative terminal 103. Via a positive terminal 106 and the switching device 191, the rotary drive 10 can be electrically supplied with a positive pole + a starter battery 107. For this purpose, the contact plate 192 of the switching device 191 is brought into contact with the contacts 193 (positive-side contact) and 194 (drive-side contact), and the electrical contact is closed. This current supply via the contact plate 192 only occurs with the so-called second stage of current supply to the rotary drive 10.

[0037] The structure and method described below are provided for switching contact plate 192, which is part of engagement relay 20. The structure is as follows: Engagement relay 20 has the aforementioned coil arrangement 66 with a first pull-in winding 661, a second pull-in winding 662, and a holding winding 663. In this first exemplary embodiment, all three windings have the same winding direction. Engagement relay 20 is switched on by a series relay 108. For this purpose, a linear actuator 109 receives an inrush current via a control connection 110, which causes a relay coil (not shown here) of series relay 108 to be energized. This energization of the relay coil of series relay 108 causes a series contact 112 to close.This closing of the series contact 112 results in an electrical connection being established between the positive pole + of the starter battery 107 and a coil terminal 114 of the coil arrangement 66. By energizing the coil terminal 114 or by energizing this coil terminal 114 with the operating voltage of the positive pole + of the starter battery 107, both the holding winding 663 and the second pull-in winding 662 are energized, as are the first pull-in winding 661. The holding winding 663 is energized directly from the coil terminal 114. The holding winding 663 is connected to the ground terminal 103 via a ground connection 116. The second pull-in winding 662 is energized from the coil terminal 114.On the negative side, the second pull-in winding 662 is electrically connected to the positive terminal 106 of the rotary drive 10, so that on the negative side, the current flowing through the pull-in winding 662 is conducted via the rotary drive 10 and the excitation winding 12 to the ground terminal 103. An electrical connection also extends from the coil terminal 114 to the first pull-in winding 661. However, this electrical connection initially runs via a normally closed switch 120, which is closed, among other things, at the moment the engagement relay 20 is switched on by the series contact 112 or the series relay 108.

[0038] On the negative side, the current flowing through the first pull-in winding 661 is also diverted towards the positive terminal 106. This means that when the series contact 112 closes, the first pull-in winding 661 is energized via the break switch 120 for a first time period, as is the second pull-in winding 662 during this first time period, and the holding winding 663 during this first time period as well. During this first time period, a magnetic field is thus built up in the coil arrangement 66, which causes the thrust armature 67 of the thrust drive 19 to begin to be drawn into the coil arrangement 66. This actuates the switching bolt 69, i.e. in this case, the switching bolt 69 is partially pushed out of the coil arrangement 66 by the thrust armature 67. The break switch 120 remains closed until the end of this first time period.During this period, the rotary drive 10 is energized to a significant extent, primarily by the first pull-in winding 661, so that during this first period, the rotary drive 10 begins to rotate at a low power, thus causing the drive pinion 26 to rotate. Since the drive pinion 26 is already being pushed toward the ring gear 27 of the internal combustion engine via the engagement lever 78, the drive pinion 26 thus moves at a very low speed, rotating in front of the teeth of the ring gear 27. At the end of the first period, the break switch 120 is opened. It is particularly preferred that a rear side of the contact plate 192 keeps the break switch 120 closed during the first period. For example, the electrically conductive rear side and thus the contact plate 192 can simultaneously be a break contact 122.This first period of time can last, for example, between 30 and 50 milliseconds from the start of energization of coil terminal 114. In this example, it then takes a further 10 to 20 milliseconds until contact plate 192 forms a closed electrical contact with positive-side contact 193 and drive-side contact 194. During this second period of time, thrust armature 67 is drawn further into coil assembly 66, and drive pinion 26 either continues to rest against the end face of the toothing of gear ring 27 or, if a tooth gap has been "found" in the toothing of gear ring 27, has already engaged gear ring 27 with an undetermined engagement depth.

[0039] During the second time period, and thus at the beginning of this second time period, the magnetic field of the pull-in winding 661 is reduced. This magnetic field of the first pull-in winding 661 accounts for approximately 15% of the total flux of the coil arrangement 66 during the first time period. Switching off the first pull-in winding results in mutual induction in the two other current-carrying coils, the second pull-in winding 662 and the holding winding 663. This causes the current through the two coils, the second pull-in winding 662 and the holding winding 663, to increase slightly for a short time. The second time period is followed by a third time period, which begins at the moment the electrical contact is closed by means of the contact plate 192. From this moment on, the second pull-in winding 662 is essentially short-circuited.This is because there is practically no voltage difference between the positive pole + of the starter battery 107 and the positive terminal 106, and thus the second pull-in winding 662 has almost the same voltage on the positive side and the second pull-in winding 662 on the negative side. Even if the voltage should exhibit a minimal difference, this results in the actual electromagnetic flux through the second pull-in winding 662 no longer being significant and thus making no contribution to the further movement of the thrust armature 67. From the closing of the switching device 191, only the magnetic flux or the magnetic field of the holding winding 663 is essential for the further pull-in force of the thrust armature 67 into the coil arrangement 66.

[0040] Thus, a starting device 1 for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, comprising a drive pinion 26 for meshing with a ring gear 27 of the internal combustion engine, an electric rotary drive 10, and an electric thrust drive 19. The rotary drive 10 serves to rotate the drive pinion 26 and the thrust drive 19 serves to push the drive pinion 26. The electric thrust drive 19 has a lifting magnet 100 having a thrust armature 67 that can be moved along a thrust armature axis 125 by a pull-in winding 661 within the pull-in winding 661. The lifting magnet 100 further has a holding winding 663, by means of which the thrust armature 67 can be held in the retracted state. The thrust drive 19 also serves to actuate a switching device 191, by means of which the electric rotary drive 10 can be switched into a second drive stage.The second drive stage of the rotary drive 10 begins when the contact plate 192 has made electrical contact with the positive-side contact 193 and the drive-side contact 194. A second pull-in winding 662 is provided in parallel with the first pull-in winding 661, the first pull-in winding 661. The first pull-in winding 661 can be switched off by a normally closed switch 120, while a current path through the second pull-in winding 662 is closed.

[0041] It is provided that, when the electric linear drive 19 is in the switched-on position, the switching device 191 is closed and the break switch 120 of the switching device 191 is open. This is the case during the second time period. Accordingly, when the break switch 120 of the switching device 191 is open, a current path to the first pull-in winding 661 is open. It is provided that, when the break switch is open, a current path through the second pull-in winding 662 is closed. In the first exemplary embodiment, the holding winding 663 is wound in the same direction as the second pull-in winding 662, and the first pull-in winding 661 is wound in the same direction as the second pull-in winding 662. Furthermore, a series contact 112 closes a current path through the first pull-in winding 661 and a current path through the second pull-in winding 662, or can be closed by a series contact 112.The holding winding 663, the first pull-in winding 661 and the second pull-in winding 662 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0042] In Figure 4 a circuit of a starting device 1 is shown, which differs from the circuit according to Figure 3 only differs in that the first pull-in winding 661 has a different winding direction than the second pull-in winding 662 and the holding winding 663. All other details correspond to those described in the Figure 3 It should be noted, however, that the resulting negative feedback of the first pull-in winding 661 against the other two windings, pull-in winding 662 and holding winding 663, weakens their field. Here, for example, it takes 50 to 70 milliseconds (i.e., longer than in the embodiment of the Figure 3) until the break contact 122 is opened. After this opening, it takes a further approximately 10 to 20 milliseconds until the switching device 191 is closed by the contact plate 192. In connection with the above description, a method for operating a starting device 1 for internal combustion engines is thus also provided, wherein a drive pinion 26 is provided for meshing with a ring gear 27 of the internal combustion engine.

[0043] This method utilizes the electric rotary actuator 10 and the electric linear actuator 19, with the rotary actuator 10 serving to rotate the drive pinion 26 and the linear actuator 19 serving to push the drive pinion 26. The electric linear actuator 19 comprises a lifting magnet 100 having a sliding armature 67, which is movable within the pulling-in winding 661 by means of a pull-in winding 661. The lifting magnet 100 further comprises a holding winding 663, by means of which the sliding armature 67 is held in the retracted state, with the linear actuator 19 also serving to actuate a switching device 191, by means of which the electric rotary actuator 10 is switched on.After the starting device 1 is switched on, the holding winding 663, the second pull-in winding 662, and the first pull-in winding 661, which is magnetically connected in parallel with the latter, are switched on, and then the first pull-in winding 661 is switched off by a break switch 120, while a current path through the second pull-in winding 662 remains closed. The method provides, in particular, that the electric rotary drive 10 is energized via the second pull-in winding 662 and its inherent electrical resistance, thereby driving a drive pinion 26.

[0044] In addition, the method provides, in particular, that by switching on and energizing the holding winding 663, the first pull-in winding 661, and the second pull-in winding 662, the thrust armature 67 is moved, thereby opening a normally closed switch 120. It is provided, in particular, that by opening the normally closed switch 120, a current path through the first pull-in winding 661 is opened. It is preferably provided that, in the method, switching device 191 is closed, thereby directly connecting a rotary drive-side terminal of the second pull-in winding 662 to a positive voltage potential of a starter battery.

[0045] It is generally understood that a series relay 108 can also be designed as an electronic switch with corresponding functionality using a semiconductor material. Thus, the series relay 108 would be considered an equivalent switching element that has the described properties of the series relay 108. This also applies equally to the switching device 191 and the normally closed switch, which, after the series relay equivalent switch or the series relay 108 has been switched through (switching on the coil arrangement 66) and after a specified time (timer or computer switching unit), energizes the first pull-in winding 661 by means of an electronic equivalent switch (semiconductor switch) as the normally closed switch 120. After that, an electronic equivalent switch (semiconductor switch) can be switched as the switching device 191 after a specified time in order to switch a power line from the positive pole + of the battery 107 to the positive terminal 106 of the rotary drive 10.

Claims

1. Method for operating a starting device (1) for internal combustion engines, the starting device having a drive pinion (26) for engaging into a toothed ring (27) of the internal combustion engine, having an electric rotary drive (10) and an electric thrust drive (19), wherein the rotary drive (10) serves to turn the drive pinion (26) and the thrust drive (19) serves to push a pinion (26) and - the electric thrust drive (19) has a solenoid (100), - wherein the one thrust drive (19) has a coil assembly (66) having a first pull-in winding (661), having a second pull-in winding (662) and having a holding winding (663), - wherein the thrust drive (19) has a thrust armature (67), which is moved along a thrust armature axis (125) within the pull-in winding (661) by the pull-in winding (661), and - the thrust armature (67) is kept in the retracted position by the holding winding (663), - wherein the one thrust drive (19) also serves to actuate a switching device (191), - by means of which the electric rotary drive (10) can be switched to a second drive stage, - wherein, in addition to the one, the first, pull-in winding (661), the second pull-in winding (662) is present, which is connected in parallel to the first pull-in winding (661), - wherein the first pull-in winding (661), the second pull-in winding (662) and the holding winding (663) are energized for a first period of time, - wherein the first pull-in winding (661) is switched off by a normally closed switch (120), whereas a current path through a second pull-in winding (662) is closed, - by way of the normally closed switch (120) being opened at the end of the first period of time, - the switching device (191) is closed and the normally closed switch (120) of the switching device (191) is open during a subsequent second period of time in a switch-on position of the electric thrust drive (19), and - the second period of time is followed by a third period of time which starts at the moment at which the electrical contact is closed by means of the contact plate (192).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that a current path to the first pull-in winding (661) is open when the normally closed switch (120) of the switching device (191) is open.

3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that a current path through the second pull-in winding (662) is closed when the normally closed switch (120) is open.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding winding (663) is wound in the same sense as the second pull-in winding (662) and the first pull-in winding (661) is wound either in the same sense as or in a different sense from the second pull-in winding (662).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a current path through the holding winding (663), a current path through the first pull-in winding (661) and a current path through the second pull-in winding (662) are closed by a series contact (112).

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding winding (663), the first pull-in winding (661) and the second pull-in winding (662) are connected in parallel to each other.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thrust drive (19) has a coil carrier (130), wherein the first pull-in winding (661) is arranged in a first annular volume of a winding volume (142) of the coil carrier (130), wherein the second pull-in winding (662) is arranged in a second annular volume of the winding volume (142) of the coil carrier (130) - and here preferably surrounds the first pull-in winding (661) with a portion of the annular volume -, wherein the holding winding (663) is arranged in a third annular volume of the winding volume (142) of the coil carrier (130) and in so doing surrounds both the first pull-in winding (661) and the second pull-in winding (662).

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric rotary drive (10) is energized via the second pull-in winding (662) and its inherent electrical resistance and thereby drives a drive pinion (26).