Starter Engagement Relay Pinion Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing starter devices with engagement relays risk damaging the pinion or toothed ring due to 'ratcheting' when the pinion skips tooth gaps, and there is a risk of a 'blind circuit' where the starter motor is not activated despite the ignition switch being turned on, as current can flow without proper engagement.
Innovation Solution
The engagement relay is designed such that the contact device circuit can only be closed when the pinion is at least partially engaged in the toothed ring, using a thrust motor and a stop part mechanism to prevent closure unless engagement is confirmed, thus preventing 'ratcheting' and ensuring the starter motor is only activated with proper engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the contact device circuit is closed before pinion engagement is confirmed, then the starter motor can be activated immediately, but the pinion may skip tooth gaps causing ratcheting damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement relay requires preliminary confirmation of pinion engagement through the stop part mechanism before allowing the contact device circuit to close. The stop part must be pushed by the driver to a position that enables circuit closure, which only occurs after the pinion has engaged with the toothed ring. This preliminary action sequence ensures engagement is verified before power activation, preventing ratcheting damage while maintaining efficient starting operation.
2Device complexity
If the contact device circuit can close without proper engagement confirmation, then the starter motor activation is simpler, but a blind circuit may occur where the starter is not activated despite the ignition switch being turned on
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement relay incorporates a feedback mechanism where the position of the stop part, which is mechanically linked to pinion engagement status, controls the circuit closure. The driver pushes the stop part only when the pinion engages with the toothed ring, and this physical movement provides feedback that enables the contact device circuit to close. This feedback ensures the starter motor is activated only when engagement is confirmed, eliminating blind circuit scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
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
This solution prevents damage to the pinion and toothed ring by ensuring engagement before current flow, and avoids a 'blind circuit' by ensuring the starter motor is only activated when the pinion is engaged, thus ensuring reliable engine starting.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is arranged between the stop part and the driver. The gap and/or the associated contact of the stop part with the driver mechanically prevents the closing of the contact device to actuate the starter motor when the pinion is not at least partially engaged in the toothed ring.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an engagement relays (20) for an electric machine which preferably serves as a starter device (10) for engaging a pinion, wherein the engagement relay (20) has a contact device (65) for electrically connecting electrical contacts (120, 121) having a switching axis (67) which can be actuated for the purpose of electrical connection, having a thrust motor (60) which serves to shift the switching axis (67) and the thrust motor (60) has a movable part (57) which serves to activate the switching axis (67), wherein the movable part (57) is connected to a driver (85), wherein a stop part (84) can move relative to the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) in a state of rest of the engagement relay (20) there is a gap(s) between the stop part (84) and the driver (85), wherein after the switching of the engagement relay (20) a contact device (65) is activated and as a result a switch of the circuit of the starter motor (23) is closed, wherein a movable part (57) of a thrust motor (60) of the engagement relay (20) I connected to a driver (85) and by means of a switch-on-movement of the movable part (57) the driver (85) brings about an engagement force with an engagement lever (22), in order to mesh a pinion (25) in a toothed ring (15), characterized in that a stop part (84) is arranged between the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) and the driver (85), wherein firstly there is a gap(s) with an initial size between the driver (85) and the stop part (84) and when the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) moves during switching the gap(s) is made smaller.