Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder, at least one cylinder head connected to at least one cylinder, at least one piston disposed in the at least one cylinder, a crankshaft operatively connected to the at least one piston, a crankcase housing at least a portion of the crankshaft, a motor-generator operatively connected to the crankshaft, a recoil starter operatively connected to the crankshaft, and a drive pulley of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to the crankshaft, the motor-generator. The recoil starter, the crankshaft and the drive pulley are coaxial. The motor-generator operates in motor mode to rotate the crankshaft and in generator mode to generate electricity.

Abstract: A small combustion engine mechanism including an engine, a driven device powered by the engine. The engine having a ratcheting reel mechanism, a recoil starter housing, a shaft member coupled to the reel mechanism, and a bearing member coupled to the recoil starter housing. The shaft member being supported by the bearing member. The engine also has a tool engaging member coupled to the shaft member, the tool engaging member being accessible to a tool driver.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle includes closing a frictional-locking shift element that serves as a starting element of a transmission in a slipping manner such that slip at the frictional-locking shift element is reduced by a defined pressure control of the frictional-locking shift element, determining a differential rotational speed at the frictional-locking shift element or a variable dependent on the differential rotational speed while the frictional-locking shift element is closing, and, when the differential rotational speed or the variable dependent on the differential rotational speed is less than a first limit value or reaches the first limit value, changing a rotational speed of the drive unit in such a manner that the differential rotational speed or the variable dependent on the differential rotational speed becomes less than a second limit value or reaches the second limit value within a defined time period.

Abstract: A transmission having a plurality of shifting elements which are selectively engaged and disengaged when a gearshift is carried out, and a plurality of gearsets which, depending on the shifting position of the shifting elements produce a defined transmission ratio, and a shifting oil system which supplies the shifting elements with oil in order to operate them and a cooling and lubricating oil system which supplies assemblies of the transmission with oil for cooling and/or lubricating. From the shifting oil provided by the shifting oil system, a partial stream of oil can be tapped off for cooling and/or lubricating the shifting elements, such that a quantity of cooling and lubricating oil that is or can be supplied by the cooling and lubricating oil system can be reduced to the quantity required for cooling and/or lubricating those assemblies of the transmission which do not contain the shifting elements.

Abstract: A starter arrangement for starting a motor vehicle engine, having a starter ring for connecting to a drive shaft, a starter unit for introducing a starter torque into the starter ring via a starter pinion acting on the starter ring, and a clutch connected to the starter ring for coupling the drive shaft to at least one transmission input shaft of a transmission. The clutch is spaced apart in the axial direction from the starter ring by an axial distance s, a forming reserved installation space for positioning an electric machine for a hybrid drive. The starter unit is positioned at least partially, preferably in large part, within the reserved installation space. A smaller installation space requirement for positioning a drive train in a motor vehicle body is possible by the sharing of the reserved installation space provided for the electric machine.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine automatically operates a starting feature on a carburetor associated with the engine. The starting system includes a cam with a bearing mounted on the crankshaft. The bearing is secured so that its inner race will always rotate with the crankshaft. The cam has bosses on one side and is shaped such that it includes a base and a lobe with an outer surface surrounding the cam. At least one spring-loaded pawl is mounted on the flywheel. The pawl is biased to engage a cam boss so as to cause the cam to rotate with the crankshaft during a start-up process. A spring loaded rocker arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the cam. The rocker arm has a roller assembly configured to ride on the outer surface of the cam. As the cam rotates, the roller assembly riding on the cam surface is pushed outward by the cam lobe. A throttle cable is attached at a first end to the rocker arm and at its opposite end to the starting feature on the carburetor.

Abstract: A noise reduction device for a starter includes a positive electrode connected to a power supply line via a branch wire, a grounding electrode connected to ground via a motor body of a motor, two capacitors connected in parallel with each other between the positive electrode and the grounding electrode, and a resin package into which the positive electrode and the grounding electrode are inserted and fixed. The package holds the two capacitors. The two capacitors include a capacitor body and two lead terminals extracted from the capacitor body in the same direction with respect to the capacitor body. The two capacitors are arranged in such a direction that the lead terminals of one thereof face the lead terminals of the other thereof across the positive electrode and the grounding electrode. The two lead terminals are joined to the positive electrode and the grounding electrode by welding.

Abstract: The present invention is an installation of an emergency starting switching device and/or direct current boosted boost circuit device. When the power of the starting battery is insufficient, the electric energy of the power storage device battery is used to drive the starting motor in order to start the engine by operating the emergency starting switching device. And when the engine is started, the voltage of the ignition device or the fuel injection device is stepped up to strengthen its starting capability by means of a voltage boost by the direct current boosted boost circuit device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a kick starter for ensuring layout flexibility of a kick shaft while suppressing an enlargement of the engine. An output shaft is disposed at a position overlapped with a driven pulley from a side view. A power transmission mechanism is disposed between the output shaft and the driven shaft pulley in a crankcase. A kick shaft is disposed at a position below and forward of the driven pulley shaft, which is not overlapped with the driven pulley from the side view. A kick intermediate shaft is disposed between the kick shaft and the crankshaft such that the kick starter is mounted on the crankcase.

Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.

Abstract: A moped transmission includes a crankcase assembled in four sections, namely a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section. A crankshaft is formed as an eccentric shaft, and the crankshaft has a crankshaft gear mounted to the crankshaft. The crankshaft passes through the first section, and the crankshaft passes through and is rotably mounted to the first planar vertical mounting face. An engine connected to the first section and the second section. A main shaft has a main shaft gear in mesh with the crankshaft gear. The main shaft passes through and is rotably mounted outside the first planar vertical mounting face. The main shaft gear is mounted to the main shaft outside the first section such that the main shaft gear is encapsulated between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: A moped transmission includes a crankcase assembled in four sections, namely a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section. A crankshaft is formed as an eccentric shaft, and the crankshaft has a crankshaft gear mounted to the crankshaft. The crankshaft passes through the first section, and the crankshaft passes through and is rotably mounted to the first planar vertical mounting face. An engine connected to the first section and the second section. A main shaft has a main shaft gear in mesh with the crankshaft gear. The main shaft passes through and is rotably mounted outside the first planar vertical mounting face. The main shaft gear is mounted to the main shaft outside the first section such that the main shaft gear is encapsulated between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an electrical starting system which integrates several components into a single assembly for easier manufacture and operation of the engine. For example, a safety switch and key are integrated with the electric motor starting system. The starting system includes a starter motor having a drive member in selective driving relationship with the engine crankshaft, and also includes a key and a switch assembled to the starter motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a start device for a small-sized engine, which is capable of starting the small-sized engine in an appropriate starting time and is ultimately reduced in size and weight by a rational design. A plurality of secondary batteries is used as a power source required to drive a small-sized electric motor and a small-sized engine, and has a considerably large capacity and an extremely small size. A speed reduction mechanism that has a reduction ratio of 1/30 to 1/90 is disposed between the electric motor and a buffer/power storage section. The start device starts the engine in an extremely short time of 0.4 to 1.3 seconds. Within this range of staring time of the engine, an operator has no uncomfortable feelings.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a kick starter for ensuring layout flexibility of a kick shaft while suppressing an enlargement of the engine. An output shaft is disposed at a position overlapped with a driven pulley from a side view. A power transmission mechanism is disposed between the output shaft and the driven shaft pulley in a crankcase. A kick shaft is disposed at a position below and forward of the driven pulley shaft, which is not overlapped with the driven pulley from the side view. A kick intermediate shaft is disposed between the kick shaft and the crankshaft such that the kick starter is mounted on the crankcase.

Abstract: A glow plug (1), includes a pressure sensor (90), suitable for measuring the internal pressure of a motor cylinder in which the plug (1) is housed, a body (10) to be secured to the motor and a finger (20) in which a heater electrode is housed. The sensor (90) is firmly secured to the body (10) by the upper face thereof and rests on the finger (20), so that the pressure exerted on the finger (20) presses the sensor against the body (10).

Abstract: A starting system for a small-sized engine is described which achieves downsizing, light-weight, and cost reduction of the system, prevents entry of dust or foreign substances at the time of assembly, and achieves easy assembly of a motor. The starting system for a small-sized engine includes a recoil starting system and a motor starting system integrated in a starter case, in which the motor starting system has a configuration in which a pinion is mounted on an output shaft of a reducer motor by an one-way clutch of a needle bearing and the pinion is engaged with a starting gear 6 of an engine, and the starter case has a configuration in which an inner lid is secured to a crankcase of the engine together by a screw and the inner lid has a joint portion with respect to the crankcase and a mounting seat for the reducer motor on the outside thereof.

Abstract: Energy is stored in the horse power spring to surely start the engine. The stopper having the engaging engageable with the end behind the rotation direction of the cam plate depressed area is arranged at near the cam plate which is integrally formed with pulley fixed to the engine crank shaft and has the depressed area o the disk rim, and the urging means supporting the stopper in a movable manner to the engaging position where the engaging engages with the depressed area and toe the avoidance position for avoiding the rim of cam plate, and normally urging to move the stopper to the avoidance position, on the other hand, enabling the stopper to move to the engaging position from the outside, and urging not to move the stopper to the avoidance position until a sufficient rotation load is added to the cam plate at the engaging position is provided.

Abstract: A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, an electric starter motor, a manual starter mechanism, a temperature sensor, and a starter switch. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled with the engine and is configured to generate a temperature signal reflecting a temperature of a portion of the engine. The starter switch is configured to selectively facilitate passage of electrical power to the electric starter motor for actuation of the electric starter motor only when both the starter switch is actuated and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A starter for a small-sized engine, capable of reliably starting the engine by a rope reel and stably supporting a drive cam. The starter has, received in a starter case, a cylindrical drive cam having a starter clutch mechanism, the rope reel for a recoil starter, and a starter motor, where the drive cam can be selectively operably connected to the rope reel or a starter motor. The rope reel is directly operably connected to the drive cam through a one-way clutch mechanism. Support plates are formed projected from the inner surface of the starter case toward the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam. Opposite ends of the drive cam are rotatably supportedly fitted into bearing holes formed in the support plates.

Abstract: In a starting device of an engine, a starter clutch is provided with an outer race that rotates with a rotor (starter member), and a cam interposed between the outer race and a starter gear. A through hole is formed in the rotor so as to face the outer race axially. A stepped section is provided between a radially outer portion of the outer race, the portion facing a radially outer edge of the through hole, and a radially inner portion of the outer race. The stepped section causes the radially outer portion to be thinner than the radially inner portion. The starting device is capable of ensuring a cooling capability of a stator coil even though the rigidity of the outer race is increased.

Abstract: An electric engine starter in which downsizing and weight saving are improved to an extreme based on the rational design and by eliminating an unnecessary unit, wherein a battery is arranged outside the starter, a power accumulating unit has a rotation supporting unit for supporting one end of a spring, a first gear is formed on the rotation supporting unit, a second gear is fixed to an output shaft of a high-speed reduction gear mechanism, the first and the second gears are engaged with each other, the power accumulating unit and the power transmission unit are arranged on the same first axis line, the compact electric motor and the high-speed reduction gear mechanism are arranged on the same second axis line parallel to the first axis line, and the first axis line and the second axis line are arranged on the same plane surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining oil from an engine. The apparatus includes an engine having an engine housing, crankshaft, a piston, and an oil reservoir, an engine starting mechanism configured to engage the crankshaft and piston, a check valve configured to prevent pressure in a crankcase from escaping and configured to allow filtered air into the engine, and a selector valve configured to open a flow path between the check valve and a vent so oil can be drained.

Abstract: A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, an electric starter motor, a manual starter mechanism, a temperature sensor, and a starter switch. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled with the engine and is configured to generate a temperature signal reflecting a temperature of a portion of the engine. The starter switch is configured to selectively facilitate passage of electrical power to the electric starter motor for actuation of the electric starter motor only when both the starter switch is actuated and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method applicable to a motor vehicle parallel hybrid drive train, comprising a heat engine, at least one electrical machine, a variable speed ratio transmission member, a first clutch linking the heat engine to the electrical machine, and a second clutch linking the transmission member to the electrical machine or to the heat engine. The method includes the following successive steps which consist in: a) placing the first clutch in open position; b) after positioning the second clutch in slip control, powering the electrical machine so as to drive same with kinetic energy higher than the energy required for starting the heat engine; and c) closing the first clutch so as to transmit, from the electrical machine to the heat engine, an energy at least sufficient to compensate the resisting torque of the heat engine shaft, and drive same at a starting speed.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus has a reverse-rotation detection sensor for detecting the reverse rotation of an engine. A control apparatus for controlling the engine starting apparatus performs such control that a starter motor is not rotated while the reverse rotation of the engine is detected by the reverse-rotation detection sensor, even if receiving a predetermined engine start command.

Abstract: An apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine having a manual recoil starter and starter rope comprises a casing that houses a motor, a source of power, a gear reducer assembly and a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a spool that adapted to receive the handgrip of the starter rope and allow the starter rope to be wound around the spool during the starting operation. The motor via the gear reducer rotates the spool once the handgrip and cord are properly positioned and the motor is activated to pull the starter rope and start the engine.

Abstract: An electric starter for a walk-behind, powered, rotary cultivator having a gasoline engine having a crankshaft and a recoil starter connected to the gasoline engine. The electric starter includes an electric motor connected to the crankshaft between the recoil starter and the engine so that activation of the electric motor starts the engine and the recoil starter can also be used to start the engine; a battery connected to the electric motor; a start switch between the battery and the electric motor; and a battery charger. The electric starter is intended for use on cultivators generally having less than about 2 horsepower. The recoil starter is intermittently engageable with the crankshaft through the electric motor. The electric motor may also act as a generator supplying electric current to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes an engine and an electric machine operable to provide torque to drive the vehicle. A control system, including at least one controller, is configured to selectively and automatically start and stop the engine when the vehicle is in a first operating mode. The control system further includes control logic executable to place the vehicle in a second operating mode wherein the engine can be cranked but not started. The execution of the control logic to place the vehicle in the second operating mode is effected by operation of at least one vehicle system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine start controller in a vehicle that includes: a power source; an internal combustion engine that is started by using electric power supplied from the power source; a first motor; and a first electric power converter that is constructed so as to be able to perform electric power conversion between the power source and the first motor through switching control of power semiconductor elements is provided. The start controller includes: a start detecting device for detecting whether the engine is in a starting operation; and a first frequency setting device that, when the engine is in a starting operation, sets a switching frequency of the first electric power converter to a frequency lower than that used when the engine is not in a starting operation.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus includes a control circuit and has a power supply holding function whereby when a power switch-off command is received by the apparatus, the supplying of power to the control circuit is continued until it has completed specific processing, during a power supply holding interval. The duration of each such interval is measured and stored in non-volatile memory, and subsequently used for detecting any power supply holding function abnormality, and for ensuring that the specific processing is actually performed, and distinguishing between an abnormality causing premature switch-off and an abnormality causing failure to terminate the supplying of power.

Abstract: A switch device that improves reliability in starting an engine is provided. The switch device includes a push button, a magnetic sensor, and a power supply ECU. The push button is pressed by a driver to start the engine. The magnetic sensor detects that the push button has been pressed, in a non-contact manner. The power supply ECU is connected to the magnetic sensor and supplies power to the magnetic sensor to enable the magnetic sensor to detect that the push button has been pressed.

Abstract: A kick start switch modification kit and method for modifying an electric starter system on a motorcycle to a foot-operated electric starter simulating the classic foot operated kick start mechanism. Novel components which are contained in the modification kit include a foot pedal assembly, a rotating shaft, a switch engaging cam, a limit switch and a cover body having screw holes through which fasteners can pass which fasteners are in turn screwed into the cycle body where the classic kick start mechanism would be located.

Abstract: In an engine starting unit, a gear switching clutch is fitted on one end of a main shaft, a power transmission gear train including a clutch gear rotating together with an input member of the gear switching clutch is provided between one end of a crankshaft and the input member, a kick start gear train is arranged between a drive gear group and the clutch gear, and a one-way starter clutch is arranged on the crankshaft between the drive gear group and the clutch gear.

Abstract: A method for starting an engine uses an actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump-motor or an electric linear alternator-starter to move the pistons to a position where the inlet ports are opened. This ensures that air is present in the cylinder in a space where fuel will be admitted and combustion will occur. This strategy compresses, with a minimum actuator capacity, such air to a state that the pressure and temperature satisfy the ignition requirements. The air stores kinetic energy of the moving pistons that partially form the air spring force of the opposite cylinder and partially from the actuator. Accumulation, cycle by cycle, of this stored energy accelerates the piston motion, increases the piston displacement, and increases the compression ratio. The cylinder pressure and temperature increas cycle by cycle until the fuel ignition conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A method for starting a free piston internal combustion engine that includes a first pair of mutually connected pistons, a second pair of mutually connected pistons, a first piston of each pair located in a first cylinder, a second piston of each pair located in a second cylinder. An air charge is supplied to a closed space in the cylinders, and the pistons are reciprocated to increase pressure of an air charge cyclically during successive cycles and to produce a predetermined pressure magnitude. Air and fuel are cyclically admitted to the first cylinder to produce repetitively a fuel-air mixture in the first cylinder. Cyclic combustion of the mixture in the first cylinder is produced, but a delay in applying to the engine at least a portion of an external load occurs until cyclic combustion of an air-fuel the mixture in the second cylinder occurs.

Abstract: An engine cranking system includes an engine, a cranking motor coupled to the engine and a battery having first and second battery terminals. The first battery terminal is electrically coupled to the cranking motor and the second battery terminal is electrically coupled to a system ground. A capacitor includes first and second capacitor terminals. First and second electrical paths interconnect the first and second capacitor terminals, respectively, with the cranking motor and the system ground. First and second switches include first and second sets of switch terminals respectively. The first set of switch terminals is coupled between the first battery terminal and the cranking motor. A relay is included in one of the first and second electrical paths and has first and second control terminals. The second set of switch terminals is coupled between one of the first and second capacitor terminals and the second control terminal.

Abstract: There is provided an engine start control method and an engine start control apparatus which can judge cell starting and kick starting with a simple constitution to perform optimum engine start according the respective starting. The engine start control method and the engine start control apparatus have a cell starting program at the time when an engine is started by a cell motor and a human power starting program at the time when the engine is started by a human power, detect a difference between a battery voltage at the time of engine stop and a battery voltage at the time of commencement of engine start, and starts the engine in accordance with the cell starting program if this difference is larger than a predetermined value and starts the engine in accordance with the human power starting program if the difference is smaller than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In an engine starting unit, a gear switching clutch is fitted on one end of a main shaft, a power transmission gear train including a clutch gear rotating together with an input member of the gear switching clutch is provided between one end of a crankshaft and the input member, a kick start gear train is arranged between a drive gear group and the clutch gear, and a one-way starter clutch is arranged on the crankshaft between the drive gear group and the clutch gear.

Abstract: A gasoline-fueled lawn mower has a pull rope that extends from the lawn mower engine and is attached to a pulley. An electrically powered starter motor is brought into engagement with the pulley, so that actuation of the starter motor causes the rope to be drawn out of the lawn mower engine, so as to start the engine. When the engine starts, the starter motor is disengaged, allowing the pull rope to be at least partly retracted into the engine. The pulley and the starter motor are preferably mounted on cross bars extending between portions of the lawn mower handle, the starter motor being mounted so as to slide along the cross bars. The invention also includes a kit for modifying a lawn mower to include a power-assisted starting mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an engine start control method and an engine start control apparatus which can judge cell starting and kick starting with a simple constitution to perform optimum engine start according the respective starting.

Abstract: An engine of a radio control model usually has two types of igniting. An igniter uses two unidirectional bearings to combine the two types of igniting. The two unidirectional bearings each has a rotating direction different from each other.

Abstract: A starter which is capable of smoothly and reliably starting an internal combustion engine even though an electric motor employed is relatively small in size and output, thereby making it possible to minimize power consumption of the electric motor, to miniaturize the capacity of battery, to reduce the total weight of the starter, to enhance the durability of the starter, and to suppress the generation of failure of the starter. This starter comprises a buffering/power-accumulating means disposed midway along a power transmission system between a driving member and a driven member, wherein the buffering/power-accumulating means is enabled, during the driving process, to accumulate the power supplied through the driving process while alleviating any impact to the driven member, the accumulated power being subsequently employed to drive the driven member, and wherein the driving member is an electric motor.

Abstract: A method for determining the existence of a “short time” type state within a vehicle control assembly 10. The method requires the measurement of the temperature 59 of engine coolant 16 at a first time 61 and the determination and/or the inferential creation of the temperature 60 of the engine coolant 16 at a second and later time 62. A “short time” type state is identified when the temperature 60 at the second time 62 is greater than or equal to the temperature 59 at the first time 61.

Abstract: A starter which is capable of smoothly and reliably starting an internal combustion engine even though an electric motor employed is relatively small in size and output, thereby making it possible to minimize power consumption of the electric motor, to miniaturize the capacity of battery, to reduce the total weight of the starter, to enhance the durability of the starter, and to suppress the generation of failure of the starter. This starter comprises a buffering/power-accumulating means disposed midway along a power transmission system between a driving member and a driven member, wherein the buffering/power-accumulating means is enabled, during the driving process, to accumulate the power supplied through the driving process while alleviating any impact to the driven member, the accumulated power being subsequently employed to drive the driven member, and wherein the driving member is an electric motor.

Abstract: In a starter, durability of a pinion and a ring gear is to be improved by eliminating such as a collision by bringing them in mesh with each other. A rotatable intermediate shaft (for example, an input shaft of a generator) is interposed between an output shaft of a starter motor and a crankshaft, a ring gear is mounted on this intermediate shaft via a bearing, the ring gear and a pinion are normally brought in mesh with each other. A movable clutch element for coupling and releasing of the coupling between the intermediate shaft and the ring gear is fitted by a spline to the intermediate shaft, and a stationary clutch element is provided on the ring gear. When a starting switch 1 is turned ON, the clutch element is moved on a side of the ring gear by means of a lever and when the starting switch is turned OFF, the clutch element is separated from the ring gear. The intermediate shaft and the crankshaft are coupled with each other via pulleys and a belt.

Abstract: An engine starting device includes a self-starting motor drivable to rotate the crankshaft of an engines, and a one-way clutch operable to permit transmission of rotary motion of the self-starting motor in one direction only to the crankshaft. The one-way clutch includes an inner race operatively connected to an output shaft of the self-starting motor, an outer race operatively connected to the crankshaft, a plurality of ratchet pawls pivotally connected to the inner race and urged by springs against the inner race. The one-way clutch is designed such that, when the speed of rotation of the inner race while being rotated by the self-starting motor goes up to a predetermined value, the ratchet pawls are caused to swing in a radial outward direction under the action of centrifugal force against the bias of the springs and become engaged by the outer race to thereby engage the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A starting device has a rotary drive member that is operable by hand or power devices. The device has a detented or geared strip arranged to engage with a similarly detented or geared starting wheel. The teeth of these parts are designed to grab and lock with each other in the starting direction and to slip past each other in the opposite direction. Crimping, sticking and other failure modes of conventional wind up rope units are virtually eliminated. A more consistent pull is afforded owing to a constant radius interface with the starter wheel rather than a diminishing radius of the type delivered by a wound rope.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus has a first one-way clutch provided at one part of a series of gears for transmitting rotation of a starter motor to a crankshaft, and a second one-way clutch provided in a transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of a recoil starter to the crankshaft. The first one-way clutch includes a small gear, a decelerating gear and a large gear. The small gear is connected to the crankshaft and has step portions on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The decelerating gear is connected to an output shaft of the starter motor. The large gear is connected in meshing engagement with the decelerating gear and has ratchets urged to mesh with the step portions of the small gear to engage the first one-way clutch only when the large gear is rotated via the decelerating gear upon rotation of the starter motor in such a direction as to start an engine.