# US 9,518,549 B2 · Method and device for operating a starter of a vehicle

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- Number: US 9,518,549 B2
- Document ID: US9518549B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/304,831
- Filed: 2011-11-28
- Published: 2012-06-07
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-01
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Applicants: Matthieu Weinum; Marc Eschenhagen; Benjamin Jensen; Andreas Jesse; Michael Merkle
- Inventors: Matthieu Weinum; Marc Eschenhagen; Benjamin Jensen; Andreas Jesse; Michael Merkle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518549B2

## CPC

- F02N 15/06: the toothed gears being moved by axial displacement
- F02N 11/0851: {characterised by means for controlling the engagement or disengagement between engine and starter, e.g. meshing of pinion and engine gear}
- F02N 2200/047: Information about pinion position
- F02N 2200/048: Information about pinion speed, both translational or rotational speed
- F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

In a method for operating a starter of a vehicle, a position of a starter pinion is detected, and an advance of the starter pinion is regulated as a function of the detected position. For example, the advance during the meshing of the starter pinion with a starter ring gear of a drive motor of the vehicle is regulated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for operating a starter of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a coil assemblage to build up a magnetic flux for an inductive advance of a starter pinion, wherein the coil assemblage has a sliding bushing configured to provide a displacement of an armature coupled to the starter pinion;
detecting a speed of advance of the starter pinion relative to a starter ring gear;
detecting a position of a starter pinion; and
regulating an advance of the starter pinion as a function of the detected position and the detected speed of advance of the starter pinion relative to the starter ring gear;
wherein a meshing mechanism includes the coil assemblage, a sensor to detect the position of the starter pinion; and an advance control to regulate the advance of the starter pinion;
wherein the meshing mechanism is disposed concentrically around the starter pinion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detection of the position of the starter pinion includes detection of an induction change in response to the advance of the starter pinion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the advance during the meshing of the starter pinion with a starter ring gear of a drive motor of the vehicle is regulated.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the starter pinion is rotated during the meshing, in order to feel into a space between two teeth of the starter ring gear.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the starter pinion is rotated pulse-by-pulse.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein upon detecting a contact of a starter pinion tooth with a tooth of the starter ring gear, the starter pinion is moved in a direction counter to the direction of the advance, in order to create a distance between the starter pinion tooth and the tooth of the starter ring gear.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method as recited in claim 6, wherein after the distance has been created, the starter pinion is rotated and moved in the direction of the starter ring gear in order to mesh with the starter ring gear.

### Claim 8

A device for operating a starter of a vehicle, comprising:
a meshing mechanism, including:
a coil assemblage to build up a magnetic flux for an inductive advance of the starter pinion;
a sensor configured to detect a position of a starter pinion; and
an advance control configured to regulate an advance of the starter pinion as a function of the detected position;
wherein the sensor has a sensor coil disposed in the coil assemblage for detecting an induction change in response to the advance of the starter pinion, and wherein the coil assemblage has a sliding bushing configured to provide a displacement of an armature coupled to the starter pinion, and
wherein the meshing mechanism is disposed concentrically around the starter pinion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the sliding bushing has at least one magnetizable ring for influencing the magnetic flux.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one magnetizable ring is disposed one of displaceably or fixedly in the sliding bushing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The device as recited in claim 8, wherein a spring is provided to retain the starter pinion in a position of rest, the spring being disposed in a drive shaft of the starter.