Engine Starter Protection Device Periodic Cranking Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In engine starting devices with starters and motor/generators, the starter is not driven frequently enough at extremely low temperatures, leading to increased non-driving periods and potential corrosion due to rust or sticking of mechanical components.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a protection device that forces the starter to be driven regularly, even when not needed for engine starting, by setting a forced-driving flag and controlling the starter's operation to ensure periodic cranking, thereby preventing corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the starter is driven only under limited conditions (extremely low temperature), then the motor/generator can handle most starting operations, but the starter suffers from increased non-driving periods leading to corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarting device adaptabilityVSAvoidstarter reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device periodically drives the starter at predetermined intervals regardless of temperature conditions. This periodic operation prevents corrosion of starter components by ensuring regular movement and operation, while the motor/generator continues to handle the majority of starting operations, maintaining system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the starter is not used frequently, then the motor/generator serves as the primary starting device, but the starter components suffer from corrosion due to prolonged inactivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarting operation efficiencyVSAvoidcorrosion damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary protective action by driving the starter at predetermined intervals even when starting operations are not immediately required. This preventive maintenance approach eliminates corrosion before it can damage components, ensuring the starter remains reliable for when it is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the starter is forcedly driven on a regular basis, then corrosion is prevented, but additional control complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestarter reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically manages the starter's periodic operation based on predetermined intervals without requiring complex external monitoring or intervention. The system serves itself by internally tracking when periodic driving should occur and executing the appropriate control signals, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2677160B1Protection device of engine starting device
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2677160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2677160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2677160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a protection device of an engine starting device that protects the engine starting device provided with a plurality of starting devices including a starter capable of starting an engine and a motor/generator capable of starting the engine, the engine being started by driving the motor/generator under a first condition, the engine being started by driving the starter under a second condition less generated than the first condition, wherein the starter is forcedly driven on a regular basis.