Claims:We claim:
1. A starter apparatus (100) for providing crank to the engine transmission, wherein the apparatus (100) comprising:
a. a starter housing (101) disposed adjacent to an engine compartment of a vehicle, wherein the starter housing (101) comprises:
i. a starter motor (101a) for initiating rotatory motion in the shaft enclosed in the starter motor (101a) by utilizing electrical energy;
ii. a pinion (101b) disposed at the periphery of the starter motor (101a) to transmit rotatory motion from the shaft of the starter motor (101a) to the transmission engine;
iii. an electronic relay (102) integrated with the starter motor (101a), wherein the electronic relay (102) transmits power to the starter motor (101a) subsequent to the activation of an ignition key (103) by the user;
iv. an encapsulation unit (105) to enclose the electronic relay (102) in the apparatus (100), wherein the encapsulation unit (105) fastens the electronic relay (102) adjacent to the starter motor (101a);
b. a push button (104) to actuate the electronic relay (102) upon the activation of the ignition key (103) by the user;
c. a power supply unit (106) for transmitting power to the electronic relay (102), wherein the power supply unit (106) transmits power to the starter motor (101a) through the electronic relay (102) upon the activation of the ignition key (103).

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic relay (102) transmits electrical energy from the power supply unit (106) to the starter motor (101a) to instigate rotational motion of shaft in the starter motor (101a).

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic relay (102) drives the pinion (101b) disposed at the periphery of the starter housing (101) to transmit rotary motion to a flywheel of the engine subsequent to the activation of the ignition key (103) by a user.
, Description:PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a starter motor apparatus for providing crank to the engine transmission. More particularly, the present invention relates to the starter housing comprising an electronic relay enclosed within the starter housing to activate a starter motor when a user actuates an ignition key in a vehicle.
Background of the invention
[0003] The expansion of internal combustion engine in the present generation automobiles entailed a need for an automatic starting device to crank the engine, since starting the engine manually by a user encountered complications such as inducing jerk during manually rotating a lever kicker which is connected to a connecting the flywheel and so on. Further, the manual operation of engine cranking leads to the injury of the individual who is operating the kicker lever of the transmission engine. Thus, the traditional starting method required a revamp to mitigate the disruption caused during the manual operation of cranking the engine to run the vehicle. This engendered a starter motor device to crank the engine operation through electro-mechanical means which included an electro-mechanical relay for switching and transmitting electric power to the starter motor for initiating rotatory motion in the engine. However, the contemporary method of employing the electro-mechanical relay system suffer from a plurality of drawbacks such as requirement of additional space in the engine compartment, welding of relay contact due to persistent operation of the starter motor, thereby leading to failure of a starter motor, excessive power consumption and so on.
[0004] The Patent No. EP2172644B1 titled “System for restarting an internal combustion engine” relates to systems for restarting internal combustion engines when an engine restart request occurs. The system comprises a starter provided with a motor working to rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion when energized. The system comprises an actuator working to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear when energized. The system comprises a first mechanical relay and a second mechanical relay which are electrically connected between the power supply and the motor and working to turn on and off a first current path and third current path for supplying electrical power to the motor and the actuator for rotating and shifting the pinion. The system comprises a switching element which is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay and working to turn on and off a second current path for supplying electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion.
[0005] The Patent No. US6024065A titled “Starter motor control circuit and method” discloses a starter control system for an engine equipped with a starter motor, starter relay, ignition switch, and electronic control unit (ECU), a first circuit and method whereby the ECU will deactivate the starter relay if the operator of a vehicle attempts to re-start the vehicle when the measured engine speed is greater than the minimum engine running speed, under both initial starting and engine running conditions and a second circuit and method whereby the ECU will warn the vehicle operator if the starter pinion gear has not disengaged from the engine ring gear after the measured engine speed has exceeded the minimum engine running speed thereby eliminating the need for an overrunning clutch on the starter assembly.
[0006] Hence, there exists a need for a starter mechanism to crank the engine by consuming low power supply and current which further reduces latency in the starting operation.
Summary of the invention:
[0007] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a starter motor apparatus for cranking the engine and to start the engine operation of a vehicle such as a two-wheeler. The apparatus comprises a starter housing which is disposed adjacent to the engine compartment to aid in starting the operation of the engine. The starter housing comprises a starter motor for initiating rotatory motion in the shaft of the starter motor by utilizing electrical energy. Further, the starter housing comprises a pinion disposed at the periphery of the starter motor to transmit initial rotatory motion from the shaft of the starter motor to the flywheel or the idler gear of a transmission engine subsequent to the activation of an ignition key by a user. Further, the apparatus comprises an electronic relay which is integrated with the starter motor itself to transmit power by switching operation to the starter motor subsequent to the activation of the ignition key by the user. The electronic relay transmits electrical energy from the power supply unit to the starter motor to instigate rotational motion of shaft in the starter motor which is further transmitted to the pinion of the starter housing.
[0008] Further, the apparatus comprises a push button to actuate the electronic relay upon the activation of the ignition key by a user thereby inducing the rotatory motion in the starter motor which is transmitted to the pinion. Furthermore, the starter housing comprises a power supply unit for transmitting power to the electronic relay, wherein the power supply unit transmits power to the starter motor through the electronic relay upon the activation of the ignition key. The electronic relay provided in the apparatus requires low power to drive the pinion which sequentially rotates the flywheel or the idler gear of the engine to initiate the staring operation.
[0009] The present invention uses fewer number of cable units to perform the specified operation which reduces wiring harness length and mitigates field failure in the apparatus. The apparatus provides a fail-safe mechanism of the adjuster assembly to withstand excessive loading in harsh operating condition such as in winters or during snowfall, since the apparatus comprises a push button to actuate the electronic relay upon the activation of the ignition key by a user thereby inducing the rotatory motion in the starter motor which is transmitted to the pinion requires low power supply unit from the power source. Moreover, the present invention is instantaneous, scalable, improves productivity, minimizes the number of parts and is capable of being retrofitted in the present engine layout.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0010] FIG 1 indicates an exploded view of the starter apparatus for providing crank to the combustion engine
[0011] FIG 2 indicates a block diagram of the starter apparatus for providing crank to the combustion engine.
Detailed description of the invention:
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0013] The present invention relates to a starter motor apparatus for providing crank to the engine transmission, wherein the apparatus comprises a starter housing which further comprises a starter motor for initiating rotatory motion to a pinion. The pinion is connected to the flywheel or the idler gear of the engine thereby transmitting motion into the transmission engine. Further, the apparatus comprises an electronic relay which is integrated with the starter motor to transmit power to the starter motor subsequent to the actuation of an ignition key by the user. The activation of the ignition key actuates the electronic relay through a push button, thereby transmitting rotary motion to the pinion. The power to the starter motor and the electronic relay is transmitted from the power supply unit.
[0014] FIG 1 indicates an exploded view of a starter apparatus (100) for providing crank to the engine transmission, wherein the transmission engine may be an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The apparatus (100) comprises a starter housing (101) which is disposed adjacent to the engine compartment, wherein the starter housing (101) comprises a starter motor (101a) for initiating rotatory motion in the shaft which is enclosed in the starter motor (101a) by utilizing electrical energy. In one embodiment, the starter motor (101a) comprises an armature which is an electromagnetic component to produce power, wherein the armature comprises a plurality of windings which are wrapped around a metal core. Furthermore, the starter motor (101a) may comprise a commutator which is attached to the armature in the starter motor (101a) and brushes in contact with the commutator to conduct electricity.
[0015] The starter motor (101a) comprises a pinion (101b) which is disposed at the periphery of the starter motor (101a) to transmit initial rotary motion from the shaft of the starter motor (101a) to the transmission engine. The pinion (101b) disposed at the periphery of the starter housing (101) is extended from the starter housing (101) to engage the teeth of the pinion (101b) with the teeth of the flywheel in the engine to transmit rotatory motion to the flywheel or the idler gear subsequent to the activation of the ignition key by a user thereby aiding in starting the transmission of the engine. Further, the teeth of the pinion (101b) is disengaged from the flywheel and the pinion (101b) is retracted into the starter housing (101) subsequent to the starting operation of the engine.
[0016] Further, the starter housing (101) comprises an electronic relay (102) which is integrated with the starter motor (101a), wherein the electronic relay (102) transmits power to the starter motor (101a) subsequent to the activation of an ignition key (103) by a user and drives the pinion (101b) disposed at the periphery of the starter housing (101). In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic relay (102) regulates and monitors the starter motor (101a) and a capacitor by employing a time switch to enable starter motor (101a) to achieve minimal rotatory speed for cranking the flywheel of the engine.
[0017] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the electronic relay (102) comprises a transistor for switching and amplifying signals in the apparatus (100) and to regulate transmission of current in the apparatus (100) upon the actuation of the ignition key (103) by the user. Moreover, the electronic relay (102) transmits electrical energy to the starter motor (101a) to instigate rotational motion of shaft in the starter motor (101a) which in turn rotates the pinion (101b) in the starter housing (101). Additionally, the electronic relay (102) actuates linear motion of the pinion (101b) thereby extending the pinion (101b) to the flywheel to transmit initial motion in the engine. In another embodiment, the electronic relay (102) connects high current cables in the starter motor (101a) to initiate rotary motion in the shaft of the starter motor (101a). Further, the electronic relay (102) engages a lever in the starter housing (101) to extend the pinion (101b) and mesh the pinion (101b) with the flywheel or the idler gear of the engine. In another embodiment, the electronic relay (102) comprises a plurality of electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and switches which may be Metal Oxide Semi-conductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) for amplifying electric signals which are transmitted to the starter motor (101a) to crank the engine.
[0018] FIG 2 indicates a block diagram of a starter apparatus (100) for providing crank to the engine transmission, wherein the starter apparatus (100) comprises a push button (104) to activate the electronic relay (102) upon the actuation of the ignition key (103) by a user, wherein the push button (104) is connected to the ignition key (103) through one or more cables. Furthermore, the apparatus (100) comprises an encapsulation unit (105) to enclose the electronic relay (102) in the starter housing (101), wherein the encapsulation unit (105) fastens electronic relay (102) adjacent to the starter motor (101a).
[0019] Further, the apparatus (100) comprises a power supply unit (106) for transmitting power to the electronic relay (102), wherein the power supply unit (106) transmits power to the starter motor (101a) through the electronic relay (102) upon the activation of an ignition key (103). In one embodiment, the ignition key (103) may be situated at a user compartment for enabling a user to transmit motion to crank the engine. In another embodiment, the ignition key (103) may be situated at center of a two-wheeler handlebar, thereby enabling users to activate the ignition of the vehicle. The power supply unit (106) may be a 12V storage battery which produces voltage and transmits current to the starter housing (101) when the user actuates the ignition key (103).
[0020] Furthermore, the apparatus (100) comprises one or more cables which are interconnected to a plurality of components that comprises the power supply unit (106), ignition key (103), push button (104), starter housing (101) and the electronic relay (102) for transmitting power form the power supply unit (106). In one embodiment, the cables are fixed to a positive and negative terminal of the power supply unit (106), thereby connecting the power supply unit (106) to the ignition key (103) which enables flow of electric current through the ignition key (103) when the user activated the ignition key (103).
[0021] Furthermore, the electric current is transmitted to the electronic relay (102) when the push button (104) is activated in the apparatus (100). The electric current transmitted to the electronic relay (102) pushes the pinion (101b) by using an external tool which may be a plunger to drive the pinion (101b) to the flywheel of the engine. In one embodiment, the pinion (101b) is moderately rotated when the pinion (101b) is driven in the direction of the flywheel, thereby flawlessly meshing the teeth of pinion (101b) with the teeth of the flywheel.
[0022] Furthermore, the electronic relay (102) transmits high power electric current to the starter housing (101) by using relatively small amount of electric current and closing contacts of the electric circuits. The electric current supplied to the starter housing (101) drives starter motor (101a) which rotates the pinion (101b) connected at the periphery of the starter motor (101a). The pinion (101b) in turn rotates the flywheel or the idler gear, since the teeth of the pinion (101b) are in a mesh-like arrangement with the teeth of the flywheel, thereby inducing the starting operation of the engine. The user deactivates the ignition key (103) subsequent to the initiation of starting operation of the engine which disengages the push button (104) thereby terminating the power supply from the power supply unit (106) into the apparatus (100) and retracting the pinion (101b) in contact with the flywheel into starter housing (101).
[0023] The electronic relay (102) provided in the apparatus (100) requires low power to drive the pinion (101b) which sequentially rotates the flywheel or the idler gear of the engine to initiate the staring operation. Further, the apparatus (100) is compact due to the utility of the electronic relay (102) which eliminates the need for an additional solenoid unit that acts as a bridge between the starter motor (101a) and the power supply unit (106). Furthermore, the present invention uses fewer number of cable units to perform the specified operation which reduces wiring harness length and mitigates field failure in the apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) provides a fail-safe mechanism of the adjuster assembly to withstand excessive loading in harsh operating condition such as in winters or during snowfall, since the apparatus (100) requires a low power supply unit (106) from the power source. Moreover, the present invention is instantaneous, scalable, improves productivity, minimizes the number of parts and is capable of being retrofitted in the present engine layout.
[0024] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not required to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
Apparatus 100
Starter housing 101
Starter motor 101a
Pinion 101b
Electronic relay 102
Ignition Key 103
Push button 104
Encapsulation unit 105
Power supply unit 106