GB1586004A - Starting arrangement for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

(54) A STARTING ARRANGEMENT FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES (71) We, ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, a German company, of Postfach 50, 7 Stuttgart 1, Federal Republic of Germany. do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, which has a start locking relay with a control relay which is closed in the starting position of a starter switch in dependence upon the function of the start locking relay and which may be closed by a push button in the housing of the start locking relay.

A starting arrangement having a start locking relay is already known. which has a control relay. However, the control relay is one having normally-closed (NC) contacts.

and a separate emergency starting button is required. It is a disadvantage that, when rear engine drives. locomotives and the like are serviced and repaired, those carrying out the work alwavs have to start the engine from the driver's seat using the starter switch or the emergency starter button.

There is provided bv the present invention a starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising a start locking relav. a starting device including a starter motor and a relay having a main current terminal for supplying the starter motor and a control terminal to receive supply for operating the relay to connect the starter motor to the main current terminal. amd a starter switch.

which has an open position. a working position and a starting position which is used for switching on the starter motor: the arrangement further comprising a connect tion leading from the current source used to the main current terminal of the starter motor. a connection leading from the amplifier relay to the control terminal of the starter relay and a connection each between the working- and starting position of the starter switch and the start locking relay, and a connection between a device on the combustion engine for controlling the start locking relay speed-dependently and the start locking relay, wherein the start locking relay comprises an amplifier relay having a NO-contact, the NO-contact having a first contact point connectible to the current source and a second contact point connected to the connection to the control terminal of the starter relay. and having a contact bridge such that in the starting position of the starter switch it rests against the contact points in dependence upon the function of the start locking relay and may be moved to that position by a.push button. It may here be mentioned that an amplifier relav is a known kind of device; the amplifier thereof acting to compensate for voltage drop in the lead supplying the relay.

The starting arrangement according to the invention has by comparison with the known arrangement. the advantage that a separate emergency starter button is unnecessary and the servicing and maintenance of rear engine motor vehicles. locomotives and others is-made easier. Furth ermore. the construction of the control relay according to the invention may be used in all NO-contact- and change-over contact re lavs.

It is particularly advantageous that the amplifier relav and the push button are disposed in the housing of the start locking relay. the push button being made of resilient material. and that the amplifier relay.

depending upon voltage ratios or installation possibilities. is connected by a line to a connection between the starter switch and the current source or to a connection between the working position of the starter switch and the start locking relay.

An embodiment of the invention is illus trated in the accompanying drawings which show: Figure 1 a wiring diagram of the embodiment; Figure 2 a control relay and a push button of the embodiment in section; Figure 3 a wiring diagram showing an alternative connection of the control relay with the current source used with the embodiment.

The illustrated embodiment comprises, as shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 1, a driving switch 2, a starting device 3 having a starter motor 4, a start locking relay 5 which is provided with an amplifier relay 6, and a device 7 (shown in outline) which controls the start locking relay 6 speed-dependently and takes the form of a governor. It may equally well be a tacho-alternator. A battery 1 is used as a current source. The starting device is one of the kind having a relay (not shown) comprising a main current terminal for supplying the starter motor and a control terminal for receiving a supply to operate the relay to connect the starter motor to the main current terminal.

From the positive pole of the battery 1, whose negative pole is earthed. a supply line 8 leads to the main current terminal 9 of the starting device 3, from which the starter motor 4 is supplied on operation of the starter relay. From a point 10 of the supply line 8, a line 11 leads to a closing switch 12 which is constructed as a part of the driving switch 2. A starter switch 13 is similarly combined with the driving switch 2. The starter switch is wired in a line 14 which branches off from a point 15 of the line 11 following the closing switch 12. and leads to the start locking relay 5. The line 11 leads frdm the point 15 to a connecting terminal 16 for other consuming devices (not shown).

Another supply line 17 branches off from the point 18 and also leads to the start locking relay 5: A line 19 also branches off from point 18 to a contact 20 of the amplifier relay 6. From a second contact 21 of the amplifier relay 6. a line 22 leads to the control terminal 22' of the starting device 3.

A control line 23 connects the governor 7 to the start locking relay 5.

The start locking relay 5 and the amplifier relay 6 have a common housing 24 (shown in chain dot line). A push button 25 is also disposed in the housing 24. The push button 25 rests reniovably against a contact bridge 26 which is movablv connected to a draw-in device 27 (Figure 2j df the amplifier.relav 6.

To start the engine. the closing switch 12 is firstly closed by actuating the driving switch 2. The start locking relay S is therefore connected bv the lines 11 and 17. to the battery. and the contact 20 of the amplifier relay 6 is connected bv the lines 11 and 19 to the battery 1. As a result of further actuation of the driving switch 2, the -starter switch 13 is closed and the starting process is therefore initiated in that the start locking relay 5 is connected by the line 14 also to the battery 1. Provided that no signal affecting the start locking relay 5 is passed from the speed-dependent governor 7 by way of the control line 23, the control (which is known and is therefore not shown in detail) in the start locking relay 5 releases the current to the connected amplifier relay 6.Its draw-in device 27 pulls the contact bridge 26 up to the contacts 20 and 21. This completes the circuit via lines 11, 19 and 22, to the control terminal 22' of the starter relay of the starting device 3 frdm the positive pole of the battery 1 and the relay is supplied with current. The starting relay meshes the turn pinion (not shown) of the starting device in the gear rim of the engine and, by closing the main current contacts of the relay connects the battery 1 by way of the supply line 8 to the starter motor 4. The starter motor 4 then starts the engine.

If the engine starts up the governor 7 sends a corresponding signal through the line 23 to the start locking relay 5. The start locking relay 5 influences the draw-in device 27 of the amplifier relav 6 accordingly; The contacts 20 and 21 are opened so that the current supply from the battery 1 to the starter relay of the starting device 3 is interrupted by the amplifier relay 6. The starter relay is de-energized and returns to its starting position so that its main current contacts are opened again and the current supply from the battery 1 by way of the supply line 8 and the starter relay to the starter motor 1 is interrupted. with the result that the starter motor 4 stops.

Apart from actuating the amplifier relay 6. the start locking relay 5 fulfils its known functions such as preventing the starting process when the engine is running or is running down and providing a time delay when the starter relay of the starting device 3 is reconnected; In a'addition it is possible in special cases after closure of the closing switch 12 for the starter relay of the starting device 3 to be supplied with current through the line 22 in that, as a result of pressing the push button 25 onto the contact bridge 26. the contacts 20 and 21 are closed and the lines 19 and 22 are therefore connected. As a result. independently of actuation of the starter switch 13. the starter relay of-the starting device 3 is connected to thebhtterv 1 and the engine may be started. For switching off. the push button 25 is released, the contacts 20 and 21 are therefore separated again. the same for the lines 19 and 22. and the de-energized starter relay of the starting device 3 cuts off the starter motor 4 from the supply line 8 so that the starter motor 4 runs down and stops.

Depending upon the wiring of the motor vehicle, such as cable length, deposition of the individual elements - i.e. driving switch 2, starting device 3, battery 1 and push button 25, modifications to the wiring diagram permit the most favourable conditions for the current supply with the minimum voltage loss.

Figure 3 shows a modified wiring diagram for the starting device of Figure 1. Identical parts and connections are provided with the same reference numerals.

Instead of the line 19, in this example the contact 20 is connected by a line 28 to a point 29 of the supply line 8 and is therefore directly connected, i.e. by bypassing the driving switch 2, to the battery 1.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising a start locking relay, a starting device including a starter motor and a relay having a main current terminal for supplying the starter motor and a control terminal to receive supply for operating the relay to connect the starter motor to the main current terminal; and a starter switch, which has an open position, a working position and a starting position which is used for switching on the starter motor; the arrangement further comprising a connection leading from the current source used to the main current terminal of the starter motor, a connection leading from the amplifier relay to the control terminal of the starter relay and a connection each between the workingand starting position of the starter switch and the start locking relay, and a connection between a device on the combustion engine for controlling the start locking relay speeddependently and the start locking relay, wherein the start locking relay comprises an amplifier relay having an NO-contact, the NO-contact having a first contact point connectible to the current source and a second contact point connected to the connection to the control terminal of the starter relay. and having a contact bridge such that in the starting position of the starter switch it rests against the contact points in depend- ence upon the function of the start locking relay and may be moved to that position by a push button.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the amplifier relay is housed in the housing of the start locking relay.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the push button for additional actuation of the contact bridge is disposed in the housing of the start locking relay.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3. in which the push button disposed in the housing of the amplifier relay is made from resilient material.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the first contact point of the amplifier relay is connected by a line to the connection between the driving switch and the current source.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the first contact point of the amplifier relay is connected by a line to the connection between the working position of the driving switch and the start locking relay.

7. An arrangement for an internal combustion engine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. stops. Depending upon the wiring of the motor vehicle, such as cable length, deposition of the individual elements - i.e. driving switch 2, starting device 3, battery 1 and push button 25, modifications to the wiring diagram permit the most favourable conditions for the current supply with the minimum voltage loss. Figure 3 shows a modified wiring diagram for the starting device of Figure 1. Identical parts and connections are provided with the same reference numerals. Instead of the line 19, in this example the contact 20 is connected by a line 28 to a point 29 of the supply line 8 and is therefore directly connected, i.e. by bypassing the driving switch 2, to the battery 1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising a start locking relay, a starting device including a starter motor and a relay having a main current terminal for supplying the starter motor and a control terminal to receive supply for operating the relay to connect the starter motor to the main current terminal; and a starter switch, which has an open position, a working position and a starting position which is used for switching on the starter motor; the arrangement further comprising a connection leading from the current source used to the main current terminal of the starter motor, a connection leading from the amplifier relay to the control terminal of the starter relay and a connection each between the workingand starting position of the starter switch and the start locking relay, and a connection between a device on the combustion engine for controlling the start locking relay speeddependently and the start locking relay, wherein the start locking relay comprises an amplifier relay having an NO-contact, the NO-contact having a first contact point connectible to the current source and a second contact point connected to the connection to the control terminal of the starter relay. and having a contact bridge such that in the starting position of the starter switch it rests against the contact points in depend- ence upon the function of the start locking relay and may be moved to that position by a push button.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the amplifier relay is housed in the housing of the start locking relay.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the push button for additional actuation of the contact bridge is disposed in the housing of the start locking relay.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3. in which the push button disposed in the housing of the amplifier relay is made from resilient material.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the first contact point of the amplifier relay is connected by a line to the connection between the driving switch and the current source.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the first contact point of the amplifier relay is connected by a line to the connection between the working position of the driving switch and the start locking relay.

7. An arrangement for an internal combustion engine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A starting arrangement for an internal combustion engine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.