Method and mechanism configured for reducing powertrain rigid body motion during start/stop
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDarrell Lee Robinette, Michael S. Powell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a starter motor and a motion control mechanism. The starter motor includes a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine. The starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation. The motion control mechanism includes a mechanism pinion gear that is configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine. The mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation.
Claims16
A starting system for an engine of a vehicle, the starting system comprising:
- a starter motor including a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine, wherein the starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation;
- and
- a motion control mechanism including:
- a mechanism pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine;
- wherein the mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation;
- and
- a clutch operatively disposed along the third axis of rotation between the mechanism pinion gear and the inertia mass;
- wherein the clutch is configured to selectively couple and decouple the inertia mass from the mechanism pinion gear.
A method of starting an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- meshing a starter pinion gear of a starter motor with a primary mass of the engine;
- rotating the pinion gear about a first axis of rotation to induce rotation of the primary mass about a second axis of rotation;
- meshing a mechanism pinion gear of a motion control mechanism with the primary mass;
- applying an inertia mass to the mechanism pinion gear to damp angular vibrations emanating from within the engine;
- wherein the mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to the induced rotation of the primary mass about the second axis of rotation such that the inertia mass is caused to rotate about a fourth axis of rotation.
A vehicle comprising:
- an engine block;
- a primary mass rotatably coupled to the engine block;
- a starting system configured for starting the engine, the starting system including:
- a starter motor fixedly connected to the engine block, the starter motor having a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine and rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass of the engine to rotate about a second axis of rotation;
- and
- a motion control mechanism fixedly connected to the engine block, the motion control mechanism having;
- a mechanism pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine;
- and
- an inertia mass configured for damping angular vibrations emanating from within the engine;
- wherein the mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation;
- and
- wherein the inertia mass rotates about a fourth axis of rotation in response to rotation of the mechanism pinion gear about the third axis of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.