Development of Electronically Controlled Starting Device for All Terrain Vehicles

All Terrain Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as “ATV”) are used in various applications as recreational vehicles for fishing, hunting, etc., as well as work machines to assist in agricultural and other practical operations. Because of their wide-ranging use environments, ATV must be built with mechanisms that ensure stable engine startability and automatic warm-up operation at outside air temperatures ranging from very low to high temperatures. Traditional ATV starting mechanisms based on mechanical control only offered the function to start the engine. On the other hand, the new electronically-controlled starting device we have commercialized is capable of automatically controlling the engine speed to optimal levels as required by the engine, which is made possible by accurately controlling an ultra-compact stepper motor installed in a small throttle body.