Dog Clutch Reset Control for Starter-Generator Reengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromechanical disconnects for starter-generators in vehicles require manual intervention for reengagement, leading to increased production and operation costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical disconnect system that uses an electronic control system to automatically reengage the starter-generator with the main engine gear box by controlling the starter-generator's rotational motion to align dog clutch teeth, eliminating the need for manual alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual alignment is used to reengage the dog clutch, then the disconnect can be reset, but the production and operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the starter-generator itself to perform the alignment function. By controllably energizing the starter-generator to rotate the shaft through a selected angle (360 degrees divided by the number of teeth), the dog clutch teeth are automatically aligned and engaged without requiring external manual intervention or specialized alignment tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced with an electrical control system. The controller electronically controls the energization of the starter-generator, which in turn controllably rotates the shaft to achieve the precise angular position needed for dog clutch engagement, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electromechanical control.
2Reliability
If manual alignment is used to reengage the dog clutch, then the disconnect can be reset, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs its own reset function using its existing components. The starter-generator, already present in the system, is controllably energized to rotate the shaft and align the dog clutch teeth, eliminating the need for external manual alignment operations and significantly reducing reset time.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller pre-calculates and controls the rotation angle to be exactly 360 degrees divided by the number of teeth on the dog clutch. This preliminary determination of the precise angular position ensures that the dog clutch teeth align perfectly on the first rotation attempt, avoiding multiple trial rotations and minimizing the time required for reengagement.
3Device complexity
If simple sheer section is used for protection, then the structure is simple, but the MEG cannot be reliably protected due to 2:1 speed range
Solution Approach 1:
The resettable electromechanical disconnect with dog clutch acts as an intermediary protection device between the starter-generator and the MEG. The controller manages the engagement and disengagement of this intermediate mechanism, providing reliable protection against MEG failure while accommodating the 2:1 speed range through controlled operation cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the time and cost associated with manual reengagement, simplifies the operation, and ensures precise alignment without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
controllably energizing the starter-generator to produce a selected angle of rotational motion of a starter-generator shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A method to reset an electromechanical disconnect is provided. The method includes electrically disengaging a pawl holding a first half of a dog clutch, located between a starter-generator and a main engine gear box, in a disengaged position, controllably energizing the starter-generator to produce a selected angle of rotational motion of a starter-generator shaft, wherein the selected angle is equal to 360 degrees divided by a number of teeth on the first half of the dog clutch, and determining when the first half of the dog clutch is engaged with a second half of the dog clutch.