Ignition Safety Control for Starter Power Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Engine starters and starter relays often malfunction due to continuous power supply, leading to safety hazards such as fires and explosions, particularly when power is inadvertently supplied to the starter or starter solenoid at inappropriate times.

Innovation Solution

An ignition safety control system that selectively interrupts power from the battery to the starter and starter solenoid, using programmable relays or dedicated chipsets to manage power flow and isolate the starter from the battery when not needed, thereby preventing continuous power supply during inappropriate times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous power is supplied to the starter and starter solenoid, then the starter can be activated at any time, but starter malfunctions and safety hazards occur due to inappropriate power supply timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarter reliabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an ignition safety control device as an intermediary component between the battery and the starter system. This device includes control circuitry that monitors ignition timing and selectively interrupts power flow to the starter and starter solenoid, preventing harmful power supply at inappropriate times while maintaining reliable starter operation when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ignition safety control device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the operational state of the ignition system and engine running conditions. Based on this feedback, the control circuitry dynamically adjusts power supply to the starter, cutting off power when the engine is running or during inappropriate conditions, thereby eliminating safety hazards while preserving starter reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If power is supplied directly to the starter without control, then the starter can operate immediately, but fires and explosions can occur due to inadvertent power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarter activationVSAvoidfires and explosions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition safety control device performs preliminary assessment of ignition timing and engine conditions before allowing power to reach the starter. The control circuitry is pre-programmed with safety criteria that must be satisfied before power is permitted to flow to the starter system, preventing fires and explosions by blocking inadvertent power supply while maintaining ease of legitimate starter activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as a safety intermediary that stands between the battery power source and the starter system. It selectively permits or blocks power flow based on real-time monitoring of ignition system state, thereby preventing harmful effects while preserving the ability to activate the starter when appropriate conditions are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the starter circuit is shorted to ground, then power flows directly to the starter, but this causes continuous power supply and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery to starterVSAvoidstarter system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition safety control device provides beforehand protection by monitoring circuit conditions and preparing to interrupt power flow in advance of potential damage. When a short circuit or abnormal condition is detected, the control circuitry immediately cuts off power supply, cushioning the starter system against damage from continuous or inappropriate power delivery while maintaining normal power delivery when conditions are healthy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10808671B2Ignition safety control
Publication Date: 2020.10.20 GREENE RANDY
  • US10808671B2 patent drawing
  • US10808671B2 patent drawing
  • US10808671B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A safety control system and method to be used with a starter system having a battery, ignition switch, starter, starter relay, and starter solenoid, the safety control system including an interrupt relay configured to be connected between a battery and the starter, and a controller configured to control the interrupt relay to selectively allow power from the battery to be supplied to the starter.