Patent ID: 7216617
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: F02D,F02N

Abstract:
1. An assist system for starting an engine of a vehicle comprising: a starter; a power source which supplies a first electric current to the starter; a load driving unit which controls the first current; an engine control unit which is supplied with electric power from a power supply device and supplies a second electric current to the load driving unit during starting of the engine; and an auxiliary current supply unit which is supplied with the electric power from the power supply device and supplies a third electric current to the load driving unit during starting of the engine, wherein the first current is supplied to the starter when at least one of the second current and the third current is supplied to the load driving unit, the engine control unit resets the supply of the second current when the voltage of the power supply device becomes lower than a first predetermined level, and the auxiliary current supply unit supplies the third current irrespective of whether the engine control unit resets the supply of the second current.