Portable Engine Starter for Racing Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine starting systems for vehicle racing require external power sources and add weight and space penalties due to the need for on-board starting motors, batteries, and associated circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A portable electromechanical engine starter that detachably couples to the engine, featuring an independently powered structure with a housing, starting motor, and power circuit, allowing for self-sustained operation without external power, and includes a switching circuit to control energy application to the starting motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an on-board starting motor, battery, and associated circuitry are installed in the vehicle, then the engine can be started reliably, but the vehicle experiences weight and space penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The starting motor is extracted from the permanent vehicle installation and removed to a portable external unit. This allows the vehicle to retain starting capability while eliminating the permanent weight and space burden of having the motor, battery, and circuitry mounted on the vehicle chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable starting unit serves as an intermediary between the vehicle engine and the external power source. This mediator contains the starting motor and battery, coupling them to the engine only when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between having starting capability and avoiding permanent weight/space penalties.
2Reliability
If an on-board starting motor, battery, and associated circuitry are installed in the vehicle, then the engine can be started reliably, but the vehicle experiences space penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The starting system components (motor, battery, circuitry) are extracted from permanent vehicle installation and relocated to a portable external unit, freeing up valuable vehicle space while maintaining starting reliability through the portable unit's attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The starting system transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic portable configuration. The portable starting unit can be attached when needed and removed when not needed, allowing the vehicle to dynamically adjust its space utilization based on starting requirements.
3Weight of moving object
If a portable starting unit is used instead of on-board installation, then weight and space penalties are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starting motor, battery, and control circuitry are merged into a single integrated portable unit. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, multiple connection points, and distributed wiring that would result from having separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable starting unit is designed as a universal device that can be attached to and used with multiple different vehicles. This multi-functionality simplifies the system by using standardized interfaces and components rather than vehicle-specific custom installations.
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
Enables efficient engine starting without the need for on-board starting motors, batteries, and circuitry, reducing weight and space penalties, and allowing for easy detachment once the engine is started.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation of a starting motor located within the portable engine starter may provide the motive forces used to start the engine in the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The portable engine starter for vehicle racing may be an electromechanical structure configured for use with an engine in a vehicle. As a non-limiting example, the engine may be a combustion engine. The portable engine starter may detachably couple to the engine and may be operable to start the engine. The rotation of a starting motor located within the portable engine starter may provide the motive forces used to start the engine in the vehicle. The portable engine starter may be an independently powered structure. The portable engine starter may include a housing, the starting motor, and a power circuit. The housing may enclose the starting motor and the power circuit. The power circuit may electrically connect to the starting motor. The portable engine starter may be detached from the vehicle once the engine of the vehicle is started.