Starter Pinion Dithering for Collision-Free Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propulsion systems require costly mechanical modifications to avoid gear teeth collisions when restarting an engine using a conventional starter, and they struggle with engaging gears rotating at different speeds efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A gear engagement control system and method that uses a pinion gear actuated between retracted and extended positions in a quick dithering sequence to simulate spring loading, allowing engagement between a starter and an engine without mechanical modifications, enabling efficient engine restart and gear engagement between gears of different speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional starter is used to restart an engine, then engine restart function is provided, but gear teeth collisions occur between the pinion gear and ring gear
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion gear is reciprocally actuated multiple times (N times where N > 2) between retracted and extended positions during engine restart. This periodic reciprocating action allows the pinion gear to repeatedly engage and disengage with the ring gear, simulating spring loading effects and preventing gear teeth collisions while ensuring reliable engine restart.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinion gear actuation system transitions from a static engagement mode to a dynamic reciprocating mode. By continuously moving the pinion gear between retracted and extended positions during the restart process, the system adapts to the rotating ring gear at different speeds, preventing collisions while maintaining engagement.
2Ease of operation
If gears rotating at different speeds are engaged using conventional methods, then gear engagement is achieved, but mechanical modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical modification solutions with a control system that reciprocally actuates the pinion gear. Instead of modifying the mechanical structure of the starter or transmission components, the system uses controlled reciprocating motion of the pinion gear to achieve engagement between gears rotating at different speeds, eliminating the need for mechanical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pinion gear actuation by performing N reciprocating cycles (where N > 2) between retracted and extended positions. This parameter change in the actuation pattern allows successful engagement of gears rotating at different speeds without requiring any physical modifications to the gear components themselves.
3Reliability
If the pinion gear is reciprocally actuated N times between retracted and extended positions, then gear engagement without collisions is achieved, but actuation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements a periodic reciprocating actuation sequence where the pinion gear is actuated N times (N > 2) between retracted and extended positions. This periodic pattern, while more complex than a single engagement action, provides reliable collision-free gear engagement by allowing the pinion gear to repeatedly attempt engagement as the ring gear rotates to the correct alignment position.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes an auto-stop module, an auto-start module, and a starter module. The auto-stop module stops an engine when a brake pedal position is greater than a threshold position and a transmission is in a drive gear. The auto-start module starts the engine when the brake pedal position is less than a minimum position and the engine stop is initiated. When the engine start is initiated and an engine speed is greater than zero, the starter module engages a pinion gear of a starter with a ring gear of an engine by reciprocally actuating the pinion gear N times between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein N is an integer greater than two.