Motorcycle starting system

Field of invention

The present invention relates to "Motorcycle starting system" and more particularly, to the electric start mechanism for motorcycles.

Description of the prior art

Most motorcycles are equipped with electric starting mechanism. These mechanisms use devices to mechanically start internal combustion engines without manual cranking, generally known as starters. Starters for initiating internal combustion engines are well known, and primarily consist of an electrically powered motor which through gearing mechanisms rotates the crankshaft of an engine from rest up to a speed at which the engine will commence to operate on its own. The vehicle battery supplies the power for the starter through a relay that is energized through an electric start switch.

In motorcycles having a Continuous Variable Transmission or any auto gear transmission, as a safety measure at least one of the brakes needs to be applied along with the electric start switch so as to ensure that the vehicle does not start moving accidentally.
Further, the electric start switch is generally disposed besides the right hand grip in the handle bar, which also has a throttle grip for controlling acceleration. This further increases the possibility of accidental increase in throttle while pressing the electric start switch.

Brief description of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electric start mechanism that is highly safe to operate and also eliminates the need for an electric start switch.

In a preferred embodiment a vehicle having auto gear transmission or a Continuous Variable Transmission can be started by applying both front and rear wheel brakes together, in such an arrangement as both the brakes are applied together the starter relay is energized and the engine is motored through the starter motor. However, the relay is not energized if only one of the said brakes is applied. Further, a cut off mechanism is provided that cuts off the starter circuit once the engine is started to ensures that whenever engine is generating power, and the two brakes are applied together the starter motor does not gets activated. Thus, an additional switch is eliminated and at the time of starting the vehicle both brakes are applied.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a step through type two-wheeled vehicle embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of the electric start mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 3 depicts an algorithmic representation of the process.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

With reference to Figure 1 a step through type two-wheeled vehicle is shown having a front fork assembly supporting a handle bar 02 for steering the vehicle and a seat 05 secured to the rear part of the vehicle 01. At the right end of the handle bar 02 a front brake lever 03 is provided and whereas, a rear brake lever 04 is provided on the left end of the handle bar 02. Both the brake levers 03, 04 have switches associated with them to switch on the brake light disposed on the rear side of the vehicle 01 whenever any brake 03, 04 lever is pressed.

With reference to Figure 2 in the present embodiment an electric start mechanism is provided having an electric starter motor 11 that through gearing mechanisms rotates the crankshaft of an engine. Energising a starter relay 10 activates the said motor 11. In the present embodiment a relay control circuit 09 is provided which energizes the relay 10 bases on the inputs from the brake light switches 07, 08 as an example when only front brake 03 or only rear brake 04 is pressed the brake light glows however the starter relay 10 is not energized. However, when both the brakes 03 and 04 arepressed together the relay control circuit 09 provides output and the starter relay 10 is energized at the same time the brake light glows. Once the engine is started a cut off circuit 10A is provided that disables the activation of motor 11, so that pressing both brakes 03 and 04 while engine is producing power does not activates the motor 11.

With reference to Figure 3 now, step-by-step working of the system is illustrated as soon as the ignition is switched "ON" the system checks for signals from the brake switches 07 and 08 to ascertain that both the switches are pressed 13 if no the system keeps checking the said status as long as the ignition is "ON" if both brake switches are 07 and 08 are pressed the system checks 14 the status of cut of circuit 10A to ascertain whether engine is started or not if, the engine is not started the relay 10 is energized 15 and the motor cranks 11 the engine 16. If the engine is started 17 the cut off circuit 10A is enabled 18 or else the process is repeated. If the cut-off circuit is enabled the relay is not energized and the control of program is sent back to the starting point 12.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. Further any shape and configuration of the extended surface is possible within the ambit of appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. An electric start system for a motorcycle having a starter motor for motoring a vehicle engine in electrically operable relation with a battery through a starter relay for driving the said starter motor, comprising:

at least two switches for receiving input from a vehicle operator, wherein, said one of the said switches being operable on actuation of a rear brake lever and the other one of said switches being operable on actuation of a front brake lever;

a starter relay control circuit comprising means for relaying power to the starter motor, the means for relaying power having input and output terminals, the means for relaying power having input terminals in electrically operable relation with the said switches and the output terminals in electrically operable relation with the starter motor, wherein, the control circuit relays power the starter motor only when both the said switches are on; and

a means for controlling the starter motor by creating an open circuit across leads of the starter motor when the engine is running and the said switches are engaged in an engine "start" position, the starter motor having input terminals, the starter motor input terminals in electrically operable relation with the means for relaying power.

2. An electric start system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, by switching on either of the said switches a brake light is switched on.

3. A motorcycle having an electric start system as claimed in claim 1.