Starter Device Winding Segmentation Voltage Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing starter devices for internal combustion engines experience a significant voltage drop during startup, which can lead to excessively low voltage levels at the battery terminals, potentially affecting the vehicle's on-board network.

Innovation Solution

The starter device incorporates a winding with low and high electrical resistance coils, controlled by a set of contactors to manage power supply in phases, ensuring the low resistance coils are initially powered in series with high resistance coils, then solo, to minimize voltage drop and maintain mechanical power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the starter uses a conventional inductor winding with uniform resistance coils, then the mechanical power delivery is sufficient, but the voltage drop during startup becomes excessively low (below 9 volts)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery voltage stabilityVSAvoidmechanical power delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The inductor winding is segmented into multiple coils with different resistance values (first coils with higher resistance, second coils with lower resistance). This segmentation allows the system to manage voltage drop during startup while maintaining mechanical power delivery by selectively activating different coil combinations through the contactor assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contactor assembly dynamically reconfigures the electrical circuit by transitioning between different contact positions (first, second, and third positions). This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt the inductor winding configuration based on operational requirements, managing voltage levels during startup while ensuring sufficient mechanical power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the starter delivers maximum torque immediately, then mechanical power is sufficient, but the voltage drop causes excessively low terminal voltage affecting the on-board network

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque outputVSAvoidvoltage drop impact on on-board network
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contactor assembly performs preliminary action by first positioning the contact plate in the first position during startup, which configures the inductor winding to limit current peak and reduce voltage drop. This preliminary configuration protects the on-board network from excessive voltage drops before the system transitions to higher power delivery modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes electrical parameters by transitioning between different coil configurations through the contactor assembly. By switching between first coils (higher resistance) and second coils (lower resistance) in series or parallel combinations, the system adjusts the inductor's electrical characteristics to manage voltage drop while maintaining torque output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the inductor winding uses high resistance coils only, then voltage drop is reduced, but the mechanical power and torque delivery become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stability during startupVSAvoidtorque delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The inductor winding is divided into segments with different resistance characteristics. The contactor assembly selectively connects first coils (higher resistance) and second coils (lower resistance) in various configurations, allowing the system to achieve both voltage stability during startup and sufficient torque delivery when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges different coil types with different resistance values into a unified inductor winding structure. Through the contactor assembly, both first coils and second coils work together in series or parallel configurations, combining their advantages to achieve both voltage stability and adequate mechanical power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration significantly reduces voltage drop during initial current peaks, avoiding the need for expensive DC/DC converters or additional batteries, while maintaining sufficient impulse torque and ensuring battery voltage remains above 9 volts.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor coil (5) arranged to generate a magnetic field when a current flows through said inductor coil (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an armature or rotor (2) capable of rotating about an axis X under the action of a magnetic field generated by said inductor coil (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

the inductor coil (5) comprises a plurality of coils including coils (50) having a low electrical resistance and first and second groups of coils (51, 52) having a high electrical resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2233732B1Starter device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile
Publication Date: 2011.05.25 VALEO EQUIP ELECTRIC MOTEUR
  • EP2233732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2233732B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2233732B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The device has a starter drive assembly for starting a combustion engine through a toothed crown wheel. An electrical motor rotatably drives the drive assembly. The motor has a stator (3) comprising an inductor winding (5) formed by a set of coils, where one of the coils presents low electrical resistance and another coil presents high electrical resistance. A set of contactors (55) of the motor controls power supply of a portion of shunt coils (51, 52) before controlling the power supply of all coils of the inductor winding. An independent claim is also included for a method for starting a combustion engine of a motor vehicle.