Patent ID: 8290692

Claim:
An engine starting device for an idling-stop vehicle, for stopping an engine upon satisfaction of a predetermined idling-stop condition during idling of the vehicle, comprising: a ring gear to be connected to a crank shaft of the engine; a starter motor unit comprising a starter motor, a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor, and a pinion gear connection means for causing the pinion gear to mesh with the ring gear; and a starter control section for controlling the starter motor unit, wherein the starter control section energizes the starter motor to cause the starter motor to rotate upon satisfaction of a predetermined starter motor rotation start condition prior to clearing of the idling-stop condition in response to a restart request after the satisfaction of the idling-stop condition, and causes the pinion gear to mesh with the ring gear to be connected thereto by the pinion gear connection means upon satisfaction of a predetermined pinion gear meshing condition.