Abstract: A rotational torque of an electric motor of a starter is transmitted to an output shaft having a pinion gear engaging with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine via a one-way clutch. A tube forming a clutch-inner and the output shaft are spline-coupled to allow the output shaft to reciprocally move in the axial direction while transmitting the rotational torque of the tube to the output shaft. The output shaft is slidably supported by a supporting portion formed at a front end of the tube. To establish air communication between an inside space of the tube and an outside space, an air passage is formed either in the supporting portion or on the output shaft. Pressure changes in the inner space due to reciprocal movement of the output shaft are suppressed by air communication through the air passage, and lubricant in the tube is well retained therein.

Abstract: The starter for an engine of a vehicle includes a motor generating torque for starting the engine, an output shaft configured to move in an axial direction thereof by being pressed at a pressure-receiving portion thereof, and applied with the torque to rotate, and a lever switch configured to press the pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft at a pressure-applying portion thereof in accordance with an external command so that a pinion rotatably fixed to the output shaft engages with a gear of the engine to thereby start the engine. A protection member rotatable with respect to the pressure-receiving portion is provided between the pressure-receiving portion and the pressure-applying portion. The pressure-applying portion facing the pressure-receiving portion across from the protection member is formed with a groove to be filled by lubricant.

Abstract: A starter for cranking an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor, an output shaft, and a one-way clutch for transmitting a rotational torque of the electric motor to the output shaft. The one-way clutch is composed of a clutch-outer driven by the electric motor, a clutch-inner spline-coupled to the output shaft, and rollers disposed between the clutch-outer and the clutch-inner. A portion of the clutch-inner is utilized as an inner ring of a ball bearing rotatably supporting the clutch-inner. A ball-groove rotatably supporting the bearing balls and retaining lubricant therein is formed on the outer circumference of the clutch-inner. In this manner, an original inner ring of the ball bearing can be eliminated without adversely affecting the lubricating function.

Abstract: In a starter, a motor terminal is composed of a rigid body made of metal, supported by a grommet, and welded to a connection bar in order to construct a terminal assemble (ass'y). The terminal assemble is constructed into a yoke assemble under the grommet is attached to an opening part of the yoke and the connection bar is welded to an end part of a field coil. An interval between a sealing surface of the grommet and the motor terminal in the yoke assembly, namely before constructing the yoke assembly is smaller than an interval between in the terminal assembly, namely, before constructing the yoke assembly. The grommet has thereby a water proof capability because the grommet is pressed not only the end frame side but also toward the yoke side through the motor terminal when the grommet between the yoke assembly and the end frame is fastened or compressed by through-bolts.

Abstract: The starter for an engine of a vehicle includes a motor generating torque for starting the engine, an output shaft configured to move in an axial direction thereof by being pressed at a pressure-receiving portion thereof, and applied with the torque to rotate, and a lever switch configured to press the pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft at a pressure-applying portion thereof in accordance with an external command so that a pinion rotatably fixed to the output shaft engages with a gear of the engine to thereby start the engine. A protection member rotatable with respect to the pressure-receiving portion is provided between the pressure-receiving portion and the pressure-applying portion. The pressure-applying portion facing the pressure-receiving portion across from the protection member is formed with a groove to be filled by lubricant.

Abstract: A rotational torque of an electric motor of a starter is transmitted to an output shaft having a pinion gear engaging with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine via a one-way clutch. A tube forming a clutch-inner and the output shaft are spline-coupled to allow the output shaft to reciprocally move in the axial direction while transmitting the rotational torque of the tube to the output shaft. The output shaft is slidably supported by a supporting portion formed at a front end of the tube. To establish air communication between an inside space of the tube and an outside space, an air passage is formed either in the supporting portion or on the output shaft. Pressure changes in the inner space due to reciprocal movement of the output shaft are suppressed by air communication through the air passage, and lubricant in the tube is well retained therein.

Abstract: A starter for automotive engines is provided which is equipped with a planetary gear speed reducer. The speed reducer works to reduce the speed of rotation of an electric motor and transmit it to an output shaft which is to be moved and joined to the engine through a pinion gear for starting the engine. The starter includes a thrust load sustaining mechanism made of a plate which works to sustain a thrust load arising from backward movement of the pinion gear after start-up of the engine, thereby blocking transmission of the thrust load to an armature shaft of an electric motor to avoid damage to the armature shaft.

Abstract: A carrier portion includes a side wall portion which restricts shifting of rollers in the axial direction. The side wall portion has a receiving hole formed at a radial central region. A clutch outer, integrally formed with the carrier portion, is rotatably supported via a bearing by a front axial end portion of an armature shaft. The bearing is fixed by press fitting on an inner cylindrical surface of the receiving hole. A tapered portion, provided at an edge of the front axial end portion of the armature shaft, is a guide surface for guiding the armature shaft into the bearing. The length of the front axial end portion is determined in such a manner that the side surface of a sun gear can contact with the side surfaces of the planetary gears in the axial direction after the tapered portion entirely enters inside the bearing.

Abstract: A starter for cranking an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor, an output shaft, and a one-way clutch for transmitting a rotational torque of the electric motor to the output shaft. The one-way clutch is composed of a clutch-outer driven by the electric motor, a clutch-inner spline-coupled to the output shaft, and rollers disposed between the clutch-outer and the clutch-inner. A portion of the clutch-inner is utilized as an inner ring of a ball bearing rotatably supporting the clutch-inner. A ball-groove rotatably supporting the bearing balls and retaining lubricant therein is formed on the outer circumference of the clutch-inner. In this manner, an original inner ring of the ball bearing can be eliminated without adversely affecting the lubricating function.

Abstract: A starter includes a motor, an output shaft, a first spline connection member disposed between the motor and the output shaft, a pinion to be engaged with a ring gear of an engine, a second spline connection member disposed between the output shaft and the pinion, a pinion spring to apply its spring force to the pinion toward the ring gear, a lever, an electromagnetic switch to drive the output shaft toward the ring gear when the electromagnetic switch is excited and to operate the motor when the lever moves to a prescribed position, a drive spring to apply its spring force to the pinion when the electromagnetic switch drives the output shaft toward the ring gear. The first and second spline connection members rotate the pinion relative to the output shaft an angle more than a half of a pitch of the pinion when the helical connection member is driven by the electromagnetic switch toward the ring gear.

Abstract: A starter includes a motor, an output shaft, a first spline connection member disposed between the motor and the output shaft, a pinion to be engaged with a ring gear of an engine, a second spline connection member disposed between the output shaft and the pinion, a pinion spring to apply its spring force to the pinion toward the ring gear, a lever, an electromagnetic switch to drive the output shaft toward the ring gear when the electromagnetic switch is excited and to operate the motor when the lever moves to a prescribed position, a drive spring to apply its spring force to the pinion when the electromagnetic switch drives the output shaft toward the ring gear. The first and second spline connection members rotate the pinion relative to the output shaft an angle more than a half of a pitch of the pinion when the helical connection member is driven by the electromagnetic switch toward the ring gear.