A system for detecting operation of a motor includes a ripple voltage detector module including a ripple voltage detector unit, an input operatively connected to the ripple voltage detector unit and connectable to an alternator, and an output operatively connected to the ripple voltage detector unit and connectable to a starter motor control system. The ripple voltage detector module provides a motor operation signal to the starter motor control system upon detection of a ripple voltage produced by the alternator.

A system for detecting operation of a motor includes a ripple voltage detector module including a ripple voltage detector unit, an input operatively connected to the ripple voltage detector unit and connectable to an alternator, and an output operatively connected to the ripple voltage detector unit and connectable to a starter motor control system. The ripple voltage detector module provides a motor operation signal to the starter motor control system upon detection of a ripple voltage produced by the alternator.

Methods and apparatuses for voltage dip stabilization in a motor vehicle are described herein. The apparatus of one embodiment includes a first connection for connecting the apparatus to an energy source, in particular to a vehicle battery and a second connection for connecting the apparatus to a starting apparatus of a motor vehicle. The apparatus also includes a current-limiting module for limiting a starter current, a control unit for driving the current-limiting module, and at least one starting process detector, which is connected to the control unit, for identifying a starting process. The control unit, on the basis of a starting process signal from the starting process detector, prompts the current-limiting module to carry out a starter current-limiting measure.

A startup control device controls a starter motor. The startup control device includes lock determination circuitry and motor control circuitry. The lock determination circuitry estimates a current value supplied to the starter motor based on a temperature of a battery, a remaining electricity amount in the battery, and an output voltage of the battery when the battery supplies electricity to the starter motor, determines a threshold period of time according to the current value estimated, and determines that an internal combustion engine does not start if a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine does not exceed a referenced speed within the threshold period of time after starting supplying electricity to the starter motor. The motor control circuitry stops supplying electricity to the starter motor when the lock determination circuitry determines that the internal combustion engine does not start after starting supplying electricity to the starter motor.

Methods and apparatuses for voltage dip stabilization in a motor vehicle are described herein. The apparatus of one embodiment includes a first connection for connecting the apparatus to an energy source, in particular to a vehicle battery and a second connection for connecting the apparatus to a starting apparatus of a motor vehicle. The apparatus also includes a current-limiting module for limiting a starter current, a control unit for driving the current-limiting module, and at least one starting process detector, which is connected to the control unit, for identifying a starting process. The control unit, on the basis of a starting process signal from the starting process detector, prompts the current-limiting module to carry out a starter current-limiting measure.

A voltage stabilization device is proposed for use in a motor vehicle. The voltage stabilization device comprises a first terminal for connecting the device with an energy source, in particular to a vehicle battery; a second terminal for connecting the device having a starting device of a motor vehicle; a current limiter module for limiting a starting current; a control unit for controlling the current limiting module, and at a starting operation detector coupled with the control unit for detecting a starting operation, wherein the current limiting module carries out a starter current limiting action on the basis of a start signal of the process startup detector.

A system for a vehicle having an engine and a battery includes a memory and a controller. The memory has a predicted current expected to be provided by the battery for restarting the engine during a cranking event. The controller is configured to predict a minimum voltage of the battery expected during the cranking event based on the predicted current and to update the predicted current in the memory as a function of the predicted current and an actual current actually provided by the battery for restarting the engine during the cranking event.

A method diagnoses a no-start condition in a powertrain having an engine and a starter system operable for starting the engine. The starter system includes a battery, solenoid relay, starter solenoid, and starter motor. The method includes recording starter data over a calibrated sampling duration in response to a requested start event when the solenoid relay is enabled, including a cranking voltage and engine speed. If no battery current sensor is used, the method derives a resistance ratio using an open-circuit voltage and a minimum cranking voltage of the battery. When such a sensor is used, the method derives a battery and starter resistance. A fault mode of the starter system is then identified via a controller using the starter data and either the resistance ratio or the battery and starter resistances. A control action executes that corresponds to the identified fault mode.

An engine starting apparatus is equipped with a starter which, when it is required to start an engine, moves a pinion to establish engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and energizes an electric motor to produce and transmit torque to the ring gear through the pinion for cranking the engine. When the rate of decrease in current flowing in the electric motor or the rate of rise in voltage appearing at a terminal of the starter or a power supply for the electric motor exceeds a given value after the engine starts being cranked, the engine starting apparatus works as a firing-up determiner to determine that the engine has been fully fired up.

A starter control apparatus outputs a conduction command to a starter relay when an engine start request is generated and starts driving of a starter. After the engine is started, when a condition for executing the failure diagnosis processing is satisfied, the starter control apparatus outputs a non-conduction command to a starter cutoff relay and diagnoses the starter cutoff relay for failure. The starter control apparatus determines that the starter cutoff relay is normal when a voltage applied to the starter after notification of the non-conduction command to the starter cutoff relay does not exceed a predetermined voltage. The starter control apparatus determines that the starter cutoff relay is abnormal when the voltage applied to the starter exceeds the predetermined voltage.