Circuit configuration for starting an internal combustion engine and method of a starter control

Abstract

A circuit configuration is described, for starting an internal combustion engine, using at least one starter, which includes a starter motor, an engaging relay, a switching relay and a control relay, the control relay being able to be controlled by an ignition switch, the engaging relay being able to be controlled by the control relay and a current path of the starter motor being able to be switched using the switching relay. In order for the starter, for starting an internal combustion engine, to operate more accurately, and thus to achieve a longer service life, the switching relay is able to be controlled as a function of the occurrence of a specified event, at least in the switching-off process. This has the advantage that the switching relay is able to interrupt a current path from the starter motor earlier in time, especially a main current path, so that energizing in the reverse direction is avoided. Consequently, the switching relay is able to release the current path of the starter motor specified in such a way that in the switching-off process, during the disengaging of a starter pinion, pinion bounce is clearly reduced, or even eliminated. In the switching-off process of the starter, a motion of the starter pinion back in the direction towards the ring gear, after the disengagement, is avoided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.