Patent ID: 8660765

Claim:
An idle stop system for an engine mounted in a vehicle; comprising: clutch means that that enables and disables power transmitted from the engine to a transmission depending on instructions from a driver on the vehicle, wherein the clutch comprises a manipulation device that produces the instructions in response to manipulations by the driver and a clutch mechanism that selectively provides a engaged state thereof for transmitting the power and a disengaged state thereof for shutting off the power; first determination means that determines whether or not predetermined stop conditions are met when the engine is in operation; first control means that automatically stop the operation of the engine when it is determined by the first determination means that the predetermined stop conditions are met; second determination means that determines whether or not predetermined restart conditions are met after the engine is stopped by the first control means; second control means that restarts the operation of the engine when it is determined by the second determination means that the predetermined restart conditions are met; third determination means that determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restart of the engine; and third control means that instructs the clutch mechanism to engage at and after a time instant when it is determined by the third determination means that the predetermined period of time has elapsed.