Starter Pinion Meshing via Toe-In Actuator and Controlled Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing start-stop systems for internal combustion engines face delays and comfort disadvantages due to the need for the drive shaft or crankshaft to come to a complete standstill before restarting, which can be mitigated by early engagement of the starter pinion in the ring gear, but existing methods often result in unwanted collisions and wear.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a toe-in force to advance the starter pinion towards the ring gear until it touches, followed by a targeted meshing force to engage it gently, ensuring zero crossing alignment for reduced wear and quicker restarts, with pre-calculated timing to minimize collisions and optimize engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the starter pinion is engaged after the drive shaft has come to a complete standstill, then the meshing process is simple and reliable, but the restart time is delayed and comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines a target point P (specific speed value) and a time period TP in advance before the drive shaft reaches complete standstill. The starter pinion engagement is timed to occur at this predetermined moment during the coasting phase, enabling early engagement that reduces restart time while maintaining meshing reliability through precise pre-calculated timing.
2Loss of time
If the starter pinion is engaged early during coasting to reduce restart time, then comfort is improved, but unwanted collisions and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method monitors the actual speed of the drive shaft and compares it with the target speed (zero crossing point). The engagement timing is dynamically adjusted based on the actual coasting behavior and speed profile. By changing the engagement parameter from fixed (after standstill) to variable (at predetermined speed point during coasting), the system achieves early engagement without excessive collisions, as the engagement occurs when relative speed differences are minimized.
3Loss of time
If the starter pinion is engaged at various positive speeds during coasting, then restart time is further reduced, but vibrations and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method utilizes the natural coasting deceleration of the drive shaft and converts the kinetic energy into a beneficial timing mechanism. By engaging the starter pinion at the predetermined zero crossing point during natural coasting, the system transforms what would otherwise be wasted deceleration time into an opportunity for optimized engagement timing. This approach converts the harmful effect of coasting (uncontrolled deceleration) into a benefit (natural speed reduction to optimal engagement point), minimizing vibrations and noise while achieving early engagement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for meshing a starter pinion (19) of a starting device (16) into a ring gear (13) of an internal combustion engine (10). The internal combustion engine (10) has a driveshaft (22), and the starting device (16) has a starter motor (25), said driveshaft (22) having a variable rotational speed (n). The internal combustion engine (10) is switched off in a method step (S1), and the starter pinion (19), which is not being rotationally driven by the starter motor (25), is then advanced in the direction of the ring gear (13) by a toe-in actuator (28) by means of a toe-in force (FV) in a method step (S2) until the starter pinion contacts the ring gear. A meshing force (FE) is then exerted onto the starter pinion (19) in a controlled manner in an additional method step (S3) in order to mesh the starter pinion (19) into a tooth gap (34) of the ring gear (13).