U.S. patent number 3,696,333 [Application Number 05/045,055] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-03 for automatic engine starter.
Invention is credited to Willard Mott.
United States Patent |
3,696,333 |
Mott |
October 3, 1972 |
AUTOMATIC ENGINE STARTER
Abstract
An automatic automobile engine starter using either
clock-switching mechanism or a radio remote control switching
system to supply current to a starter motor. Current is supplied to
the ignition coil through an oil pressure switch to insure that the
engine will not start unless there is sufficient oil pressure.
Inventors: |
Mott; Willard (Marion, KY) |
Family
ID: |
21935767 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/045,055 |
Filed: |
June 10, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/38D;
180/54.1; 340/425.5; 290/38E |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02N
11/0803 (20130101); F02N 11/101 (20130101); F02N
11/0811 (20130101); F02N 11/0807 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F02N
11/08 (20060101); F02N 11/00 (20060101); F02N
11/10 (20060101); B60k 033/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;290/DIG.10,DIG.8,DIG.5,38E,DIG.3,DIG.6,DIG.7 ;180/114
;340/53,54,52 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caldwell; John W.
Assistant Examiner: Swann, III; Glen R.
Claims
I claim:
1. In an internal combustion engine, an automatic starting system
comprising
a clock timer switch,
switch means coupling said clock timer switch to a current
source,
a vacuum switch coupled to said clock timer switch and connected to
the manifold of said engine and opened by a vacuum in said
manifold,
a starter motor coupled to the output of said vacuum switch,
a solenoid coupled to the output of said vacuum switch,
mechanical means coupling said solenoid to the carburetor of said
engine for opening said carburetor,
a low pressure oil switch connected to said switch means and
actuated to a closed position when a predetermined oil pressure
occurs in said engine, and
means coupling the output of said low pressure switch to the
ignition coil of said engine whereby said ignition is not connected
to said current source unless said oil switch is closed.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising
an emergency brake, and
means for coupling said switch means to said emergency brake
whereby said switch means is closed when said brake is set.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising
an adjustable time delay relay between said clock timer switch and
said vacuum switch, said relay opening after a predetermined time
if the engine fails to start.
4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable time
delay relay between said low pressure switch and said ignition
coil, said relay opening after a predetermined time.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising
an auxiliary fuel tank,
an electric fuel pump connected between said auxiliary fuel tank
and said carburetor, and
means for connecting said fuel pump to the output of said vacuum
switch.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising
an electric horn coupled to the output of said vacuum switch.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising
a radio receiver switch coupled between said switch means and said
vacuum switch so as to shunt said clock timer switch and responsive
to signals from a remote radio transmitter.
8. The system of claim 4 further comprising
a manual switch connected between said low pressure switch and said
ignition coil so as to shunt said adjustable time delay relay.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates broadly to timed starting devices and more
particularly to apparatus for automatically starting an automobile
engine or the like at a predetermined time, particularly in order
that the automobile may either warm up or be cooled down before
actual use thereof.
Many time and/or remote control systems for automatic engine
starting have been proposed in the past. Most of these devices use
various well-known time clock mechanisms to initiate the starting
motor and to control the fuel supply as a carburetor. Other devices
may use remote control radio systems for initiating the starting
motor.
However, it is noted that very few of these devices are in use
today. The apparent reason for such lack of use is the fact that
most of the devices do not have the necessary safety feature or
features required to prevent possible damage to the engine when the
automobile is started without the operator being in full
attendance.
There have been a number of proposals which are designed to prevent
damage to the engine but they all have serious drawbacks in that
they do not cover the vital aspects of engine protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
automatic starting system for an internal combustion engine which
includes protective measures to prevent damage to the engine.
A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic
starter for an automobile engine which is dependent upon a
sufficient oil pressure within the engine before the automobile
engine is allowed to start.
A further object of this invention is to provide means for
automatically stopping the engine after a certain period of time if
the operator has not arrived.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a protective
means whereby starting current can be supplied to the starting
motor for a limited period of time only.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a protective
system whereby the operation of the system depends upon the
emergency brake being set before any of the automatic operation may
go into effect.
Another object of this invention is to provide means whereby the
engine may be started through a remote control radio signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from
the following description when taken in conjunction with the single
FIGURE of the drawing wherein there is schematically illustrated
the preferred embodiment of the system of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now more specifically to the drawing, there is shown a
source of power such as a standard automobile battery 11 which is
coupled by means of a switch 13 (controlled through emergency brake
15) to a clock timer switch 17. These clock timer switches are well
known and available through numerous commercial sources. The
emergency brake may be connected to an emergency brake safety
switch so as to close the switch only when the brake is set.
The output of the clock timer switch passes through an adjustable
time delay relay 23 to a vacuum switch 25. The purpose of the time
delay relay is to remove current to the starter motor 27 if the
engine should fail to start after reasonable time. After the
expiration of a predetermined time period, the relay 23 will
automatically open a switch so that no further current can be
delivered beyond that point. An example of such a predetermined
time period would be approximately thirty seconds.
A vacuum switch 25, which is normally closed when no vacuum
actuation is present, passes current to the starter motor 27. The
vacuum switch is connected to the manifold of the automobile, and
when sufficient vacuum is built up in the manifold, the switch will
open and terminate the current to the starter motor 27. A solenoid
24 is also electrically connected to the output of the vacuum
switch with the solenoid being connected to the carburetor.
Actuation of the solenoid causes a mechanical linkage to open
carburetor 31 which, in effect, opens the automatic choke (not
shown) in the same manner as if an operator had depressed the
throttle of the automobile.
As an auxiliary piece of equipment, there may be provided a fuel
pump 33 which is connected between auxiliary fuel tank 35 and the
carburetor 31 through a valve 37 and fuel line 39. If such an
auxiliary fuel tank is used, high octane fuel may be contained
therein and, during the starting period when the fuel pump is
actuated, a small amount of such high octane fuel can be pumped
directly into the carburetor so that starting will normally occur
even if the automobile is in a very cool area and the temperature
is quite low.
A low pressure oil switch 41 is also connected to switch 13 and is
further coupled through an adjustable time delay relay 43 to the
ignition coil of the car 45.
The use of the low pressure oil switch is very important since one
of the major requirements for proper operation of the engine
without damage is that there be sufficient oil pressure to
circulate oil throughout the engine. The normal oil pressure switch
which is present in an automobile and, in modern automobiles,
causes actuation of the light when the oil pressure falls below a
predetermined level, is set at approximately 2 pounds per square
inch. This level is an extreme danger level of operation and, as is
well known, the engine should not be operated when this light is
actuated.
The low pressure switch 41 on the other hand is set at a slightly
higher pressure such as 4 pounds per square inch which is
sufficient in most automobiles to assure proper oil supply for
cooling purposes. Additionally, this pressure is attained during
the starting of the engine by the starting motor and, if it is not
attained, the low pressure oil switch will remain open and will not
allow current to be passed to the ignition coil 45.
However, when sufficient oil pressure is built up and low pressure
oil switch 41 closes, current passes through adjustable time delay
relay 43 to the ignition coil 45 and the engine is started.
The adjustable time delay relay may be used in order to provide a
period of time wherein the operator may normally reach the
automobile after the automatic starter has actuated the engine.
However, if for some reason the operator is unable to reach the
automobile, then the automatic adjustable time delay relay 43
provides a means for shutting off the motor. One may adjust the
time desired such as 5 or 10 minutes.
It will be obvious that if the current is cut from the ignition
coil, then the motor will stop and none of the accessories will be
operated since the oil pressure will then drop to zero.
The major purpose for providing a system as set forth in the
present invention is to provide a warm up time for the motor in
winter or in extreme cold conditions so that the automobile will be
satisfactorily heated interiorally by the time the operator is
ready to use the automobile.
Additionally, a great number of automobiles in use today are
equipped with air conditioners and, in warm weather, the
prestarting will allow for a period of time during which the
interior of the car is cooled before use. These devices are shown
generally as accessories in the drawing.
The only parts of the control system of the engine that are shown
are those which are involved with the automatic starting of the
engine. This is done for clarity since the normal electrical system
of an automobile is well known. However, alternator 51 has been
shown to indicate that once the engine is started the alternator
will charge.
If the adjustable time delay relay is used, there may also be
provided a manual switch 47 which may be hidden with the location
known only to the operator of the automobile. Upon entering the
automobile, he can bypass the adjustable time delay relay by
closing switch 47. One of the additional advantages attained by use
of the adjustable time delay relay is that if the automobile were
stolen the set time on the relay would automatically shut down the
engine and cause the automobile to stop.
Several additional auxiliary pieces of equipment may be also used
with the present invention. One such device connects the electric
horn 49 to the output of the vacuum switch. This could, in effect,
act as an alarm clock of the car were parked in a garage which is
located within the confines of a house.
Additionally, the automobile may be started by means of a standard
radio receiver switch 19 which is also connected between the switch
13 and the adjustable time delay relay 23. This piece of equipment
is well known and available from many commercial sources and is
responsive to a small radio transmitter 21 which may be carried by
the operator and actuated at whatever time he wishes to start the
motor.
If a further safety feature is desired, a temperature sensing
device and switch 52 may be attached to the motor itself and
interposed in the electrical system so as to cut off power to the
motor after a certain predetermined temperature is reached.
It can be seen that the present invention provides a relatively
simple device with parts which may be easily replaceable and with
the necessary safeguards to prevent damage to the automobile
engine.
Primarily, one of the most essential parts of the invention is the
fact that the oil pressure is a significant control factOr. If the
oil pressure is too low to lubricate the motor or if water has been
introduced to the oil and is frozen so as to prevent proper oil
pressure, then the motor will not start. This feature is
outstanding in the present invention because other known units
depend on current from the generator to open or close switches and
the use of alternators in modern day automobiles makes such devices
impractical.
It is to be understood that the present invention is described
above with respect to standard replaceable components and is not to
be limited by any particular device. Accordingly, the invention is
to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *