Modeling of failures of the starter electric motor

Abstract

Failures of automotive starters make it impossible to reliably start internal combustion engines, which, under adverse circumstances, may cause a risk of road traffic accidents. A significant part of starter failures is associated with electrical faults in electric motors. The occurrence and development of failures causes a change in the torque produced by the starter. A mathematical model of the starter’s performance dependant from the magnitude of the electrical resistance of its windings was developed. Physical modeling of failures was carried out using an adjustable active resistance connected in series and parallel to the armature winding. Critical values of electrical resistance correspond to an open and short circuit of the armature winding of the starter electric motor, and, consequently, to starter failure. The results obtained are instrumental to the development of a diagnostics method for automotive starters without removing them from the motor.

Diagnostics of automobile starters by the parameter of current consumption

“…The main malfunctions of automobile starters, according to [1,2,3,4,5,6] include faults in the armature winding (gap or closure) -10%, slipping of the freewheel -10%, coking of the starter drive mechanism -12%, wear of the bearings of the plain bearings, wear or damage to the motor brushes and compression springs -11%, wear of the buffer and return springs -6%, failures of the integrated planetary gear -9%, damage to the teeth of the drive gear -7%, malfunction of the traction relays -18% and others -17%.…”