Patent Application
20130276739
The present invention relates to a manual starter activation device and, more particularly, to a push rod that is connected to a solenoid plunger to manually activate the starter.
The modern starter motor is either a permanent-magnet or a series-parallel wound direct current electric motor with a starter solenoid (similar to a relay) mounted on it. When current from the starting battery is applied to the solenoid, usually through a key-operated switch, the solenoid engages a lever that pushes out the drive pinion on the starter driveshaft and meshes the pinion with the starter ring gear on the flywheel of the engine. However, when the battery on the vehicle is dead or there is some other starter malfunction, it may very difficult to activate the starter motor.
As can be seen, there is a need for a device for manually activating the starter motor.
In one aspect of the present invention, a device for manually activating a starter comprises: a push rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be accessed by a user and the second end of the push rod is connected a solenoid plunger of a starter assembly, wherein the push rod is in an engaged position and a disengaged position, the engaged position comprising the push rod pushed inward towards the starter assembly and thereby engaging the solenoid plunger to activate the starter assembly, and the disengaged position comprising the push rod pulled away from the starter assembly and thereby the solenoid plunger is not activating the starter assembly.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a manual activation device for activating a starter assembly. The present invention may include a push rod that is connected to a solenoid plunger. The starter may be activated manually by pushing the rod and thereby pushing the solenoid plunger into the gears. Therefore, if there is an electrical or mechanical malfunction with the starter or the vehicle, the push rod may be pushed in to start the vehicle.
The present invention may allow for manual engagement of a D/C starter solenoid on a combustion engine when the starter fails due to mechanical or electrical failure. The present invention may further disengage if the solenoid is stuck in a contact position to prevent a potential electrical fire. Alternatively, the present invention may further protect from theft and may also serve as a diagnostic tool.
If the starter does not electronically engage in a combustion engine, the present invention may manually engage the starter by pushing a rod inward. If the starter sticks, the rod may be pulled out to manually disengage and prevent an electrical fire. In certain embodiments, a lock button may be pushed down to lock the starter, which may prevent the starter from engaging. This may prevent theft. Further, the present invention may be used as a diagnostic tool to determine if it is a bad starter or there is another electrical issue.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a solenoid cap 28. The solenoid cap 28 may be secured to the starter assembly 30. The solenoid cap 30 may include a solenoid cap housing which is configured to receive and house the front end of the solenoid plunger 32 in a disengaged configuration. The solenoid cap 28 may prevent the plunger 32 from being removed from the starter assembly 30. As illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be used to prevent theft. For example, the locking mechanism, when locked, may prevent a user from engaging the solenoid plunger 32. In certain embodiments, this may be done by preventing a user from pushing the rod 14 inward. The locking mechanism may include a housing 24 that houses a portion of the rod 14. In certain embodiments, the housing 24 may be connected to the solenoid cap 28. The housing 24 may include a front plate 22. The front plate 22 may include an opening with a rod grommet 20 that facilitates easy back and forth movement of the rod 14, and prevents outside contaminants from entering the housing 24. As illustrated in
The locking mechanism may further include a lock 34 that may be secured to the housing 24 by rivets 18. The lock 34 and the housing 24 may both include openings which may be aligned with one another. A lock cylinder 36 may be configured to fit within the openings. As illustrated in
The present invention may further include a knob 12. The knob 12 may be used to control the rod 14 by pushing the knob 12 forward to engage the solenoid and to pull the knob 12 backward to disengage the solenoid. The knob 12 may be attached to the first end of the rod 14. In certain embodiments, the first end of the rod 14 may be threaded. The knob 12 may include a knob bushing 16. The knob bushing 16 may be screwed onto the first end of the rod 14 and thereby may be secured to the rod 14.
The following may include a method of making the present invention. The plunger and cap may be drilled to create openings to fit the push rod. The push rod may be cut to an appropriate length and may be thread on both ends. The nylon lock stop may be cut to an appropriate size with holes drilled in the center for the push rod. A brass knob bushing may be cut to length. A hole may be drilled and threaded for the knob to screw onto the rod. The rod grommet may be installed on the housing. The housing may be aluminum die casted or metal stamped, and the mounting holes lock holes and rod hole may be drilled in. The lock pop rivet may be used to connect the lock to the housing.
The following may include a method of using the present invention. By turning a key to start the position and or hitting the starter button, the starter may not engage or the engine does not turn over due to electrical or mechanical failure. Using the present invention, a person may manually engage the starter by manually pushing the rod in. This would allow the starter to start the engine. If the starter or solenoid sticks in the contact position, an electric fire may start. In this case a person may pull the rod out to the disengaged position. This would create a break in the contact. By pushing down on the lock button when not in use the present invention may be locked, which prevents the starter from making electrical connection, and thereby preventing theft.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61635656 | Apr 2012 | US |
