MAHIR, Serkan (Ford Otomotiv Sanayi Anonim Sirketi, Inonu Fabrikasi Kutahya-BozuyukDevlet Karayolu 8. k, Inonu Eskisehir, 26670, TR)
SARACOGLU, Tuna (Ford Otomotiv Sanayi Anonim Sirketi, Inonu Fabrikasi Kutahya-BozuyukDevlet Karayolu 8. k, Inonu Eskisehir, 26670, TR)
MAHIR, Serkan (Ford Otomotiv Sanayi Anonim Sirketi, Inonu Fabrikasi Kutahya-BozuyukDevlet Karayolu 8. k, Inonu Eskisehir, 26670, TR)
Claims
[1] A method for protection of the starter comprising electronic control unit (ECU) preventing the user from pressing the starter in electronically controlled engine of the vehicle for a long time under any condition; heat sensors measuring temperature of the engine and its environs, measuring the conformity of the required conditions to fire up the engine; the first and the second value tables calculating starting periods, characterized with the steps of
• Sending current to the electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine by switching on the motor (101)
• Getting the engine pre-starting position by electronic control unit (102)
• Performing precursory checks (engine speed, pre-heating function, starter relay) (103)
In case results of the precursory checks are not suitable for pressing the starter;
- Not being allowed to press the starter (104), and
- Resuming the process from the step of sending current to the electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine by switching on the motor (101) in case the vehicle is intended to be run,
• on the other hand, in case the results of the precursory checks are suitable for pressing on the starter;
• measuring the engine water temperature, air inlet temperature and fuel temperature by means of sensors in the engine (105)
• transferring the minimal values of engine water temperature, air inlet temperature and fuel temperatures measured to the first value table in the electronic control units (106)
• calculating the possible maximum starting period to be performed via the first value table (107)
• Attempting to press the starter (108)
In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time;
Quitting the algorithm (109)
In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time;
• Calculating the waiting period via the second value table (110)
• Cutting off the current flowing into the starter as long as the calculated time via the second value table (111)
• Attempting to press the starter (112)
In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
Quitting the algorithm (113)
In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
• Increasing the period (n) calculated via the second value table beforehand as n+m (114)
• Cutting off the current flowing into the starter as long as the calculated time (115)
• Attempting to press the starter (116)
In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
• Quitting the algorithm (117)
In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
— Turning back to the step of increasing the period (n) calculated via the second value table beforehand as n+m (114) and continuing the steps till achieving starting. |
Description A METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF A STARTER
[1] Technical Field
[2] The present invention is related to a method for protection of an engine and a starter assessing the information obtained as a result of precursory checks before starting the engine, calculating the maximum starting period and waiting period between the successive failed starting attempts and preventing from starting during said period.
[3] Prior Art
[4] Today, a variety of problems such as burning out starter due to press starter for a long time, slipping of clutch are faced. To prevent starter from starting for a long time, thermostat or temperature sensitive metals have been included in the internal design of the starting motor. However, inclusion of thermostat or temperature sensitive metals in the internal design of the starter burdens cost of extension piece and changes basic starter design.
[5] In addition, today, to prevent breakdown of starter resulting from pressing on the starter for a long time, a switch has been placed in electric wiring of the starter. In case of pressing the starter for a long time, current flowing into the starter is cut off by means of switch after a while; thereby, starter is prevented from running for a long time. However, additional cost is required to place switch into the system and the user can only press the starter for a certain period determined according to the type of material used in the switch. In said system, the maximum starting period and waiting period between the successive failed starting attempts of the user cannot be changed.
[6] In order to avoid these situations, various improvements have been made in the state of the art. In the EP 1441123, one of these improvements, it is disclosed that temperature of engine and vehicle speed is to be controlled in order to prevent starter from being damaged before pressing the starter. However, in the said application, protection of the engine via oil level control and protection of the system via starter relay control cannot be controlled and the maximum starting period cannot be determined. Therefore, protection of engine of the vehicle and starter cannot be achieved completely.
[7] In the representative of the art, there is not any method for protection of the starter maintaining different starting periods for different ambient temperatures using temperature values readable from the engine via electronic control unit in the engine of the vehicle, providing waiting periods between the successive failed starting attempts, preventing pressing on the starter for a long time even if the user desires. Moreover, there is not also any method for protection of starter to protect starter together with the engine by controlling speed of engine, pre-heater, oil level before starting and to
protect starter via starter relay control.
[8] Brief Description of the Invention
[9] The object of the invention is to provide a method for protection of starter preventing breakdown of starter and engine of the vehicle by performing precursory check of engine speed, pre-heater, oil level and relay before pressing the starter to fire up the engine of the vehicle.
[10] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for protection of the starter maintaining different maximum starting periods for the different ambient temperatures using the temperature values readable from the engine by means of electric control unit (ECU), enabling to cool the starter providing waiting periods between the successive failed starting attempts, preventing user from pressing the starter even if the user desires.
[11] Detailed Description of the Invention
[12] The method for protection of the starter developed for attaining the objects of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:
[13] Figure 1 - is a view of flow chart of the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention.
[14] The method for protection of the starter according to the invention comprises an electronic control unit (ECU) preventing user from pressing the starter in the electronically controlled engines for a long time under any condition, heat sensors measuring temperature of the engine and its environs, measuring conformity of the conditions for starting of the engine, first and second value tables calculating the maximum starting periods and the waiting periods between the successive failed starting attempts, and characterized with the steps of
[15] • Sending current to the electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine by switching on the motor (101)
[16] • Getting the engine pre-starting position by electronic control unit (102)
[17] • Performing precursory checks (engine speed, pre-heating function, starter relay)
(103)
[18] In case results of the precursory checks are not suitable for pressing the starter;
[19] - Not being allowed to press the starter (104), and
[20] - Resuming the process from the step of sending current to the electronic control unit
(ECU) of the engine by switching on the motor (101) in case the vehicle is intended to be run,
[21] • on the other hand, in case the results of the precursory checks are suitable for pressing on the starter;
[22] • measuring the engine water temperature, air inlet temperature and fuel temperature by means of sensors in the engine (105)
[23] • transferring the minimal values of engine water temperature, air inlet temperature and fuel temperatures measured to the first value table in the electronic control units
(106) [24] • calculating the possible maximum starting period to be performed via the first value table (107)
[25] • Attempting to press the starter (108)
[26] In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time;
[27] Quitting the algorithm (109)
[28] In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time;
[29] • Calculating the waiting period via the second value table (110)
[30] • Cutting off the current flowing into the starter as long as the calculated time via the second value table (111)
[31] • Attempting to press the starter (112)
[32] In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
[33] Quitting the algorithm (113)
[34] In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n); [35] • Increasing the period (n) calculated via the second value table beforehand as n+m
(114)
[36] • Cutting off the current flowing into the starter as long as the calculated time (115)
[37] • Attempting to press the starter (116)
[38] In case engine speed exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n);
[39] • Quitting the algorithm (117)
[40] In case engine speed does not exceeds the target starter speed in a shorter time than calculated time (n); [41] — Turning back to the step of increasing the period (n) calculated via the second value table beforehand as n+m (114) and continuing the steps till achieving starting. [42] Role of the starter is to fire up the engine of the vehicle. In the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention, precursory checks of the engine speed, pre-heating function status, oil level and starter relay are performed. [43] In the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention, current flows into the electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine when the user switch on the motor, and then the electronic control unit (ECU) makes the engine ready to run and precursory checks (engine speed, pre-heater function, starter relay) are conducted via
the method.
[44] In the vehicle speed control, one of the controls conducted in the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention, it is not allowed to press the starter unless speed of the vehicle is zero. Hence, engine of the vehicle, starter and flywheel starter ring gear are prevented from being damaged.
[45] In the control of the pre-heater function status, another control of the precursory checks performed in the methods for protection of the starter according to the invention, heating of the air entering into the system via the pre-heater is controlled. Thereby, the starter is prevented from burning out under cold weather conditions in which the starter is known to burn out more easily.
[46] Control of the oil level is another control of the precursory checks performed in the methods for protection of the starter according to the invention. In this precursory check, oil level required for pressing the starter is controlled via oil sensor in the engine oil sump (crankcase). By means of this precursory check, the starter is prevented from overstrain caused by the internal friction when the oil level in the engine of the vehicle is low as well as the engine is prevented from being damaged.
[47] Another control performed under the precursory checks in the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention is the control of the power supply controlling starter relay; thereby, system is prevented from being damaged.
[48] After completing precursory checks in the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention, it is possible to calculate the maximum starting period via the first value table included in electronic control unit by measuring engine cooling water temperature, engine air inlet temperature and engine oil inlet temperature via the sensors in the engine. And then pressing on the starter is attempted. If engine speed exceeds the target engine speed in a shorter time than the time calculated via the first value table, the method considers the process as successful and algorithm is quitted. If engine speed cannot exceeds the target engine speed in a longer time calculated via the first value table, waiting period (n) is calculated via the second value table, current flowing into the starter is cut off as long as the calculated time (n), and the user waits as long as the value calculated through the second table for the following starting.
[49] In the following starting attempt, if the engine speed exceeds the target engine speed in a shorter time (n) than the time calculated via the second value table, the method considers the process as successful. If engine speed cannot exceeds the target engine speed in a longer time (n) calculated via the second value table, waiting period (n+m=n) is calculated by the second value table, current flowing into the starter is cut off as long as the calculated time (n+m=n) and the user waits during said period (n+m=n) for the following starting. The steps are repeated as described above till pressing the starter successfully; thereby, the method protects the engine of the vehicle
and prevents the starter from burning out.
[50] It is possible to enhance a variety of embodiments of the method for the protection of the starter according to the invention in light of these basic concepts and the invention cannot be limited with the examples given herein, and is described essentially by the claims.