Vehicle Starter Motor Control Relay Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for starting internal combustion engines in vehicles fail to prevent the starting motor from overheating or causing a fire due to prolonged operation when the engine is running, as current anti-repeat protections are ineffective if the contacts stick or do not re-open properly, leading to potential damage or short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a starting motor, two electric circuits, a control relay, and a safety relay, where the second circuit supplies power to the control relay only when the engine is not running, ensuring the starting motor is disconnected from the engine once it reaches a minimum rotation speed, and a safety relay to prevent undesirable activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the starting motor remains connected to the engine during running, then the engine can drive the starting motor, but this causes overheating, potential fires, and electrical system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control relay as an intermediary device between the starting motor and the power source. The relay's coil is energized through a second electric circuit that detects engine running conditions, and when energized, it opens the first electric circuit to disconnect power from the starting motor. This intermediary mechanism automatically prevents the starting motor from being driven by the running engine, eliminating overheating and fire risks without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If anti-repeat protection devices are used to prevent repeated start procedures, then the risk of damaging the starting motor is reduced, but these devices are ineffective if contacts stick or do not re-open properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second electric circuit continuously monitors engine running conditions and automatically controls the relay coil. When the engine reaches minimum rotation speed and is running, the circuit detects this state and energizes the relay coil, which then opens the first circuit to disconnect the starting motor. This automatic feedback-based control eliminates reliance on mechanical contact reliability, as the system self-adjusts based on real-time engine status, preventing prolonged operation even if ignition contacts stick.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the starting motor is disconnected automatically when the engine runs, then overheating and fires are prevented, but additional control circuits and relays are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the second electric circuit to serve multiple functions: it detects engine running conditions, controls the relay coil to disconnect the starting motor, and integrates with the existing ignition system. The control relay itself performs dual functions by switching both the power circuit (first electric circuit) and the control circuit (second electric circuit). This multi-functionality approach minimizes the need for separate dedicated components, reducing overall system complexity while achieving automatic disconnection and fire prevention.
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
Prevents the starting motor from being driven by the engine when it is running, thereby preventing overheating and potential fires, and allows for safe operation by ensuring the starting motor is only activated when the engine is not running, thus reducing the risk of damage or electrical system failures.
Implementation Method 1
a control relay that, when powered by a second electric circuit, is able to close said first circuit or, when not powered, to open said first circuit
Implementation Method 2
a starting motor able to start said engine
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
System for starting an internal combustion engine, in particular the engine of a vehicle, comprising: a starting motor (4) able to start said engine; a first electric circuit (2) able to supply power to said starting motor; a control relay (7) that, when powered by a second electric circuit, is able to close said first circuit or, when not powered, to open said first circuit; a second electric circuit (8) able to supply power to said control relay only when the engine is not running. Vehicle equipped with said system.