Elektrikäivitust

Elektrikäivitust, often referred to as electric start, is a system used in many internal combustion engines to rotate the crankshaft and initiate the engine's combustion cycle. Prior to the widespread adoption of electric starters, engines were typically started by hand-cranking a shaft protruding from the engine block. This manual method could be strenuous and, in some cases, dangerous, particularly with larger or more powerful engines.

The core component of an elektrikäivitust system is the electric starter motor. This motor is a small, high-torque electric motor that engages with the engine's flywheel via a starter gear or pinion. When the ignition is switched on and the starter button is pressed, a solenoid activates, which pushes the starter gear into mesh with the flywheel. Simultaneously, electrical current from the vehicle's battery flows to the starter motor, causing it to spin. This rotation is then transferred to the flywheel, turning the crankshaft and thus initiating the engine's intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. Once the engine begins to run under its own power, the starter motor is disengaged, and the starter gear retracts from the flywheel to prevent damage. Modern elektrikäivitust systems are highly reliable and have become a standard feature on virtually all gasoline and diesel engines in automobiles, motorcycles, and many other powered machines.