Engine start system minimizing mechanical impact or noise

An engine start system comprising:

• a motor which is energized by supply of electric power from a battery through a motor circuit to produce torque;
• an output shaft which rotates when subjected to the torque, as produced by said motor;
• a pinion gear through which the torque, as produced by said motor, is transmitted to a ring gear coupled to an engine;
• a pinion movable body which is movable along said output shaft together with said pinion gear;
• an assembly configured to move the pinion movable body to the ring gear and open or close main contacts installed in the motor circuit to cut or supply the electric power from the battery to the motor;
• a controller which controls operations of said assembly when the engine is restarted during deceleration of the engine prior to stop of the engine;
• and
• delay means for delaying a second operation time that is a time when said assembly is to be activated to close the main contacts until after a first operation time that is a time when said assembly is to be activated to move said pinion movable body when the engine is restarted, said delay means producing a time lag between the first and second operation times so as to close the main contacts through said assembly to supply the electric power to said motor after said pinion movable body is moved by said assembly to shift the pinion gear from a rest position to a gear engageble position where said pinion gear is engageble with the ring gear, and then said pinion gear engages the ring gear.

An engine start system comprising:

• a motor which is energized by supply of electric power from a battery through a motor circuit to produce torque;
• an output shaft which rotates when subjected to the torque, as produced by said motor;
• a pinion gear through which the torque, as produced by said motor, is transmitted to a ring gear coupled to an engine;
• a pinion movable body which is movable along said output shaft together with said pinion gear;
• an assembly configured to move the pinion movable body to the ring gear and open or close main contacts installed in the motor circuit to cut or supply the electric power from the battery to the motor;
• a controller which controls operations of said assembly when the engine is restarted during deceleration of the engine prior to stop of the engine;
• and
• delay means for delaying a second operation time that is a time when said assembly is to be activated to close the main contacts until after a first operation time that is a time when said assembly is to be activated to move said pinion movable body when the engine is restarted, said delay means producing a time lag between the first and second operation times so as to close the main contacts through said assembly to supply the electric power to said motor after said pinion movable body is moved by said assembly to advance the pinion gear from a rest position to a maximum movable position where engagement of said pinion gear with the ring gear is to be achieved, and then said pinion gear has engaged the ring gear.