DESC:The invention is related to starting mechanism for automobile vehicle and more particularly relates to mechanical starting mechanism preferably for three or four-wheeled vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This invention takes priority from an earlier filed provisional patent application no. 201921048097 filed on November 25, 2019; which is incorporated herein as reference.

BACKGROUND
Conventional three or four wheeled automotive vehicles are provided with a hand start mechanism to start or for cranking the internal combustion engine. Generally, hand start mechanism is provided on left or right side of the driver or rider seat. Above-mentioned hand start mechanism is generally provided with handle to be operated by driver or rider. Usually driver or rider starts the engine by operating or pulling handle of the hand start mechanism.
Conventional hand start mechanism comprises starting handle, multiple links, multiple levers and several mechanical joints which combinedly join handle to the crank shaft of engine which is described in detailed description. These links and joints play major role in this mechanism. Joints have to be efficient and easy to operate. Generally, eyebolt and pin type of joint is used in hand start mechanism. These joints are generally exposed to the atmosphere. Due to exposure to atmosphere these joints get hard because of deposition of dust, mud or because of rusting which leads to increase in friction between components of joint. In worst cases these eyebolts and pin joints get jam and hence it becomes difficult to start engine for driver or rider. Greater force required to start the engine. Further, due to shape and operational constraints these joints may not be provided with any cover, boot or bellow to protect them from the dust, mud and rusting. Effort required for starting engine using conventional mechanism is considerably high and it is difficult for a normal driver or rider to start the engine without making few attempts. Situation may further worsen in case of cold staring.
As mentioned above the conventional mechanism has multiple levers, linkages, shafts connected to each other. Said mechanism also require a supporting bracket and guiding means to support above mention shafts and pins. Reason behind providing this supporting bracket is the bulky and complex mechanism using larger number of components as mentioned above.

Further if these engines are developed for higher power and load carrying capacity, which require increase in the engine capacity. Such engines are generally having higher capacity and hence more efforts are required to start engine using hand start mechanism. Due to above mentioned problems durability of the starting mechanism reduces considerably and condition becomes more troublesome due to aging of the vehicle. Above mentioned conventional hand start mechanism requires servicing or repairing or even replacement of components frequently.
Hence, it is necessary to provide hand start mechanism which may reduce the efforts required for starting an automobile engine. It is necessary to provide hand start mechanism, which may be protected from the environmental conditions.

OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the present invention is to provide improved hand start mechanism. Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce the friction between components of hand start mechanism. Yet another objective of the present invention is to protect joints from the environmental conditions. Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the efforts required for starting or cranking the engine. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide hand start mechanism, which is less complex and with reduced weight or inertia by eliminating few components. Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate or minimize frequency of servicing, repairing or replacement of components of the hand start mechanism. Yet another objective of present invention is to quickly start the engine without multiple attempts.

SUMMARY
Above mentioned objectives are achieved by providing an improved hand start mechanism for starting or cranking an automotive vehicle engine, comprising starting handle comprising; a starting handle or a lever characterized in that the starting mechanism comprising at least one connecting link; at least a lever, a first shaft and a second shaft for connecting the starting handle to the crankshaft of the engine through a gear train; wherein both ends of the connecting link is rotatably connected to plurality of levers by means of a joints having multidirectional degree of freedom.
The joints having multidirectional degree of freedom may be provided with a protective cover or boot to protect the joint from the environmental conditions, dust, water ingress or mud.
The joints having multidirectional degree of freedom may be of ball and socket type of mechanism, heim joint.
In another embodiment of the present invention the first shaft may be connected between starting handle and one of the lever’s of the hand start mechanism.
The starting handle may be rigidly connected to one end of the first shaft by any known means; wherein the first shaft may be supported by means of bearings. The bearings may be provided with an oil seals or a dust seals to protect bearings from dust, water ingress or mud. Details are mentioned in subsequent paragraphs.
Another end of the first shaft may be rigidly connected to one end of the first lever by any known means. Another end of the first lever may be further rotatably connected to the connecting link by means of the joint having multidirectional degree of freedom. Another end of the connecting link may be rotatably connected to one end of the second lever by means of second ball joint. Another end of the second lever may be rigidly connected to the second shaft by any known means. The second shaft at one end may be rotatably connected to crankshaft of the engine through gear train. The other end of the second shaft may be supported by a support, which may be a part of a frame structure or chassis of the vehicle. A damper element may be provided to damp the vibrations generated by engine.
The connecting link may be provided with a length adjusting mechanism to adapt variation in lengths for different models of the vehicle.
A housing may be provided to incorporate said bearings and oil seals of the first shaft arrangement. The housing may be mounted on the frame of a vehicle by providing resting face on the frame member of the vehicle to rest the housing. Thus, the frame of the vehicle is suitably modified to accommodate the housing. The bearings may be of angular type to accommodate misalignment of first shaft. The first shaft may be in the form of hollow tube or solid shaft depending on the length of the shaft. The length of the first shaft may be depend on the location of the connection of hand start mechanism. It may be either on right or on left hand side of the engine or rider. Preferably, in case shaft length is less or short, the shaft is a solid shaft and preferably, in case of shaft length is more, the shaft is in form of a hollow tube. According to another embodiment of the present invention, impact protection means such as damper, rubber bush etc. may be provided on the starting handle. When driver or rider operates starting handle, there is possibility of impact of starting handle on vehicle body. In this event, the impact protection means may act as a damping element and avoid impact of starting handle on vehicle body, thus avoiding damage to vehicle body.
Due to above mentioned protective cover, ball and socket joint may not get exposure to the environment. Hence, the joint is protected from the environmental conditions, dust, water ingress or mud. In this way above mentioned problem of increased friction in joints may be eliminated. Usage of ball and socket joint in the mechanism makes mechanism easy to operate with requirement of the lesser force applied by the driver or rider to start the engine.
Hand start mechanism provided by present invention advantageously bypasses the clutch system while connecting to engine. In conventional three-wheeler starting mechanism, power transmitted from handle of starter mechanism to the crankshaft through the various components of the transmission such as kick shaft, sector gear, starter gear, third shaft, clutch, gear and pinion for rotating crankshaft. Due to power transmission through various components, power loss occurs while starting of the engine. Generally, clutch comprises various friction plates to transmit the power or torque from input to output shaft. These friction plates may consume considerable power while starting of engine through hand start mechanism. To overcome this friction driver or operator of the vehicle needs to put extra efforts to start engine. In hand, start mechanism according to present invention power transmits from hand start mechanism to crank shaft through kick shaft, ratchet, starter gear, input shaft and directly to the gear and pinion for rotating crankshaft. Thus, clutch system is bypassed due to which friction is reduced and hence efforts required to start the engine by hand start mechanism are reduced.
Bypassing clutch system in starting mechanism avoids changes in kick ratio of hand staring mechanism in case if there is any need for change in gear ratios of engine, change in tyre size etc. Thus, making this mechanism versatile for variety of engines.
Also, in case where the Hand start mechanism is operated through the clutch, the driver or rider is likely to get a jerk, if the vehicle is in gear-engaged condition. This can also lead to accident due to jumping or forward moving of the vehicle during Hand start.
The improved hand start mechanism provided by the present invention advantageously eliminates requirement of the multiple links, levers and other components which makes mechanism simple is construction, less bulky, efficient, easy to operate with lesser efforts and light in weight. Multi degree freedom joint provides freedom of rotation to link and lever advantageously. Also, connection of lever and shaft though multi direction joint provides freedom of rotation which may be convenient for a driver of the vehicle. Present invention provides a compact hand start mechanism with improved serviceability, reduction in frequency of repairing or replacement of the components of said mechanism and hence reduction in operating cost of vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carried out in practice, non-limiting examples and embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 presents a known hand start mechanism from the prior art;
Fig. 2 shows perspective view of the hand start mechanism according to preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows perspective view of ball joint in the hand start mechanism according to preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows first shaft with bearing arrangement with a housing according to preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig 5(a) represents a vehicle with a hand start mechanism according to the present invention;
Fig. 5(b) represents arrangement of the hand start mechanism according to present invention on the frame of a vehicle of preferred embodiment;
Fig. 6 shows damping arrangement of the shaft and support according to one of the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows conventional gear train arrangement associated with hand start mechanism; and
Fig. 8 shows perspective view of gear train arrangement associated with hand start mechanism for bypassing clutch according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
Embodiments of present invention will now be explained with the help of FIG.s herein below. All the aspects described herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and the present invention herein includes all such modifications.
Fig. 1 shows a hand start mechanism known from the prior art. It comprises starting handle 1, pin 2 connecting starting handle to first lever 3, first lever connected to first link 4 by means of first eyebolt and pin joint 5. First link is further connected to second lever 6 by means of second eyebolt and pin joint 7. This second lever 6 is connected to connecting shaft 8, which is further connected to third lever 9. There is second link 10 connecting third lever 9 and fourth lever 11 at both ends of the second link 9 by means of eyebolt and pin joints 12, 13. Another end of the fourth lever 11 is connected to the shaft 14, which is further connected to the crankshaft of the engine. Bracket means 15 is provided to support connecting shaft 8 and which is resting the floor of the vehicle. This mechanism is very complex and bulky due to large number of components.
Fig. 2 represents layout of the hand start mechanism 100 for starting automotive vehicle engine (not shown) according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.2 a starting handle 101, which may be operated by driver or rider, starting handle rigidly connected to the first shaft 102 by any means. The first shaft is further rigidly connected to one end of the first lever 103 by any means. Another end of the first lever 103 is rotatably connected to one end of a connecting link 105 by a first ball joint 104 according the present invention. Another end of the connecting link 105 is rotatably connected to one end of the second lever 107-by second ball joint 106. Another end of the second lever 107 is rigidly connected to the shaft 108. Where, shaft 108 is rotatably connected to the crankshaft (not shown) of the engine through gear train. Heim joint may also be used. According to another embodiment of the present invention impact, protection means 109 is provided on the starting handle.
Fig. 3 represents the detailed view of the ball joint 104, 106 connected to the connecting link 105 and to the two levers 103, 107 as shown in Fig. 1. Ball joint capable to rotate in any degree of freedom as shown in Fig. 3 (a) and (b) provided with protective cover 201. Fig 3 (a) shows operation view of the ball joint in hand start mechanism according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.
First shaft 102 as shown in Fig.2 supported on a bearing. Fig.4 shows first shaft 102 with a bearing arrangement 301. Bearing arrangement 301 comprises bearing 302 and oil seal 303. Housing 304 is provided to incorporate bearing and oil seal. This housing is capable of resting of the frame of a vehicle and provide support to the bearing and hence support to the first shaft (102). This arrangement provides ease to rotate the first shaft (102) with lesser requirement of force.
Fig. 5 (a) represents preferred embodiment of the present invention. It shows three wheeled vehicle 500 comprising hand start mechanism 100 according to present invention provided in the vicinity of the driver seat 501 and resting on the floor 502 of the vehicle 500. Fig. 5 (b) shows the arrangement of the first shaft (102) arrangement on vehicle frame 503 according to preferred embodiment of the present invention. Housing 304 of the first shaft as shown in Fig. 4 is mounted on cross frame member 504 of the vehicle frame 503.
Driver or rider rotates starting handle 101 in upward direction (clockwise) according to preferred embodiment of the present invention. This handle 101 rotates first shaft 102 about its own axis in clockwise direction. This leads first lever 103 to rotate in clockwise direction. Rotation of the first lever pulls the connecting link 105 towards first lever direction linearly. Due to liner movement of the connecting link 105, second lever 106 rotates in clockwise direction. This leads to rotate second shaft 108 in the same direction as second lever (107) since second shaft 108 is rigidly connected to the second lever (107). In this way rotation of the second shaft 108 provides cranking to the engine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
According to one of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 6 the second shaft 108 at one end 601 may be rotatablely connected to crankshaft 602 of the engine 603 through gear train and at other end 604 the second shaft 108 may be supported by the support 605 which may be a part of a frame structure. A damper element 606 may be provided to damp the vibrations generated from the engine. The damper 606 may be provided between the crankshaft (602) and second shaft (108) or it may be provided between second shaft (108) and support (605).
Generally, conventional mechanism 700 contains several components such as kick shaft 701, sector gear 702, starter gear 703, shafts 704, clutch 705, driven gear 706 and pinion 707. Hand start mechanism is generally connect to kick shaft, which mounts sector gear. This sector gear (702) is meshed with starter gear (703). The starter gear (703) rotates third shaft (804) to which clutch (705) is provided to engage or disengage driven gear to the third shaft (804). Driver gear may be meshed with a pinion (707) which is capable to rotate crankshaft (708). In such mechanism power transmits to the crank shaft (708) through the various components of the transmission such as kick shaft 701, sector gear 702, starter gear 703, shafts 704, clutch 705, gear 706 and pinion 707 rotating crank shaft 708 etc. as shown in Fig. 7.
Clutch 705 comprises various friction plates due to which power loss may occur while starting of the engine. Such mechanism leads driver or operator of the vehicle to put extra efforts to start the engine.
In hand, start mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention power transmits from hand start mechanism to the crankshaft (808) through kick shaft 801, starter gear 803, third shaft 804 and direct to driven gear 806 and pinion 807 rotating the crankshaft 808 as shown in Fig. 8. When driver of the vehicle operates handle the second shaft 108 rotates kick shaft (801). The Kick shaft (801) rotates starter gear (803) by means of racket or any other means. The starter gear (803) rotates third shaft 804. In this case, third shaft (804) directly connected with the gear by bypassing clutch 805. Said driven gear (806) capable to rotate crankshaft 808 by means of pinion 807. In this way the clutch system 805 is bypassed due to which friction can be reduced and hence efforts required to start the engine 603 by hand start mechanism 100 also reduces.
With reference to another embodiment of invention, the connecting link (105) is provided with a length adjusting mechanism (901) to adapt variation is in lengths for different models of the vehicle. The ball joints (104, 106) provided at both ends of connecting link (105). The connecting link (105) and ball joints (104, 106) are provided with male threads. A connector (903), preferably hexagonal in shape is provided at one of the ends between the ball joint (104, 106) and connecting link (105), said connector (903) having female threads. Length adjustment of connector link can be done by rotating hexagonal connector in either direction to increase or decrease length of connecting link (105). Locknut/s (902) provided for locking purpose. These adjustments of connecting link (105) are done to compensate vehicle-to-vehicle variation in the distance of hand start mechanism (more particularly kick shaft) from engine.
Comparison of Fig.1 and Fig.2, the number of components is largely reduced, which leads to reduction in bulkiness and cost. Due to reduction in number of moving components, usage of joints with multidirectional degree of freedom reduces friction between components of mechanism. The protective cover provided to these joints avoids ingress of dust and water thus improving longevity of mechanism. This leads to reduction in operational cost.
Although the invention has been described with regard to its embodiments, specific embodiments, and various examples, which constitute the best mode presently known to the inventors, it should be understood that various changes and modifications as would be obvious to one having the ordinary skill in this art may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. All changes that come with meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope
,CLAIMS:1. A hand start mechanism (100) for starting or cranking an automotive vehicle engine, comprising a starting handle or a lever (101) characterized in that the starting mechanism comprising at least a connecting link (105); at least a lever (103, 107), a first shaft (102) and a second shaft (108) for connecting the staring handle to an engine and wherein both ends of the connecting link (105) are rotatably connected to the lever (103, 107) by means of a joint (104, 106) having multidirectional degree of freedom.
2. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second shaft (108) is connected to the engine through a gear train.
3. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint (104, 106) provided with a protective cover or boot (201).
4. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint (104, 106) is of ball and socket type.
5. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the first shaft (102) is connected to the starting handle (101) and the other end of the first shaft (102) is rigidly connected to one end of the first lever (103); the other end of the first lever (103) rotatably connected to the connecting link (105) by means of the joint (104); the other end of the connecting link (105) is rotatably connected to one end of the second lever (107) by means of the joint (106); other end of the second lever (107) rigidly connected to the second shaft (108).
6. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second shaft (108) at one end rotatably connected to a crankshaft (602) of the engine through gear train and other end is supported on a support (605) and provided with a damper element (606).
7. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft (102) is supported by bearings (302) wherein; the bearings are provided with an oil seals or dust seals (303).
8. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bearings (302) are of angular type.
9. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bearings (302) and the oil seals (303) are incorporated inside a housing (304) of the first shaft (102) arrangement and the housing is mounted on chassis or frame of the vehicle.
10. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft (102) is in the form of hollow tube.
11. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft (102) is in the form of solid shaft.
12. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link (105) is provided with a length adjusting mechanism (901) to adapt variation is lengths for different models of the vehicle.
13. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an impact protection means (109) is provided on the starting handle (101).
14. The hand start mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the impact protection (109) means is a rubber bush or a stopper or a damper.
15. A hand start mechanism (100) for starting or cranking an automotive vehicle engine, comprising a starting handle or lever (101) characterized in that the hand start mechanism (100) is connected to the crankshaft (808) of the engine though gear train and by bypassing the clutch system.
16. The hand start mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein the gear train comprises a kick shaft (801); a starter gear (803); a third shaft (804); a primary driven gear (806) and a primary drive gear (807); wherein the power is transmitted from the hand start mechanism (100) to the crankshaft (808) of the engine (603) through the kick shaft (801), the starter gear (803), the third shaft (804), the primary driven gear (806) and the primary drive gear (807).
17. The hand start mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the third shaft (804) is a multi-gear shaft.
18. The hand start mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the automotive vehicle is a three-wheeled vehicle