Abstract: An electric clutch actuator capable of operating in two power loss conditions. For a condition where a normally engaged clutch is disengaged during a system power loss and the desired action is for the clutch to remain in the disengaged positional state, a holding device moves to a power off activated position to prevent movement of an actuator for the clutch. For a condition where the clutch is disengaged during a system power loss and the desired action is for the clutch to move to an engaged positional state, a motor in the electric clutch actuator is used as a generator to convert the potential energy of a clutch pressure spring into electrical energy to provide energy for powering the holding device to remain deactivated, permitting movement of the clutch actuator to the engaged position. Maintaining the holding device deactivated permits the clutch to move to the engaged position and thereby allows vehicle engine braking to be used during a power loss of the system.

Abstract: An electric motor with two independent output shafts connected to the rotor by coupling means working in one sense of rotation only, e.g. by means of freewheel clutches. The first freewheel works in one sense of rotation while the second freewheel works in the opposite sense. Two operating devices can be powered by the motor, simply by switching the sense of rotation; an example of use is a combined pump-compressor machine. Various embodiments are disclosed, some of them obtainable as a simple and low-cost modification of an existing motor or motor-pump assembly.

Abstract: In a direct cranking electric rotary machine as an axial air-gap motor having an improved configuration mounted on a vehicle, a stator is faced to an end part on a surface of a rotor. The rotor also acts as a flywheel for an engine mounted on the vehicle. The length of a circumference of the stator is limited below 180 deg. of its entire circumference. This configuration enables a repair man to easily detach and repair components forming the direct cranking electric rotary machine.

Abstract: A driving device includes a motor, a clutch gear, a first rotating portion, a second rotating portion, a piezoelectric assembly, and a controlling unit. The motor includes a rotating shaft. The clutch gear is fixed to the rotating shaft. The first rotating portion sleeved on the rotating shaft includes a first end meshing with the clutch gear and a second end opposite to the first end. The second rotating portion is engaged with the second end. The piezoelectric assembly is sandwiched between the second end and the second rotating portion. The controlling unit is electrically connected to the motor and the piezoelectric assembly. The controlling unit is configured for storing a predetermined voltage, and determining whether a voltage output by the piezoelectric assembly equals to or exceeds the predetermined voltage. A protection method for the driving device is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic slip clutch has an outer rotor and an inner rotor, one of the rotors includes permanent magnets, and one of the rotors includes slots, and both rotors are located coaxially to one another; the outer rotor is embodied as a hollow cylinder open on one end, which cylinder includes a face-end covering with a central recess, by which the hollow cylinder can be located on a shaft, and the inner rotor is embodied as a solid cylinder, which is located inside the outer rotor, and a shaft can be located in a central recess in the solid cylinder, and a separate shaft is connectable to each rotor, so that the axis of rotation of the two separate shafts is identical, and a torque transmission is possible from one shaft to the other shaft by both rotors.

Abstract: A hand crank generator includes a crank, a gear transmission, and a generation motor driven by the gear transmission. The crank and the gear transmission are coupled to each other. A clutch gear is coupled between the crank and the gear transmission. The crank is manually driven to further drive the gear transmission, and the generation motor is driven to generate electric current through the clutch gear. When the cranking stops, the clutch gear disengages from a motor gear disposed on the generation motor. A weighted wheel continues to revolve under inertia for a while to drive the generation motor to keep on generating electric current, so that the purpose of saving manual efforts can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of the first motor and of the second motor of a parallel hybrid motive power group comprising a first motor (11) driving an input shaft (12) at the entrance of a gear box (1), a second motor (11) and a coupling/decoupling means (14) of the second motor and of the first motor, maneuverable between an open position and a closed position, for enabling a change with regard to the gearbox when the motor group operates in hybrid mode, according to which the motive power group is controlled for decoupling the second motor and the first motor then changing the ratio of the gear box, and recoupling the second motor and the first motor.

Abstract: An electric actuator, which includes an exposed actuator terminal, for eliminating the need for insert molding and facilitating the manufacturing of a housing while preventing liquid from entering the housing. The actuator includes a motor. The housing is attached to the motor and includes an opening. A control circuit board accommodated in the housing controls the motor. An actuator terminal is arranged on the control circuit board and connected to an external terminal of an external connector through the opening. A terminal support arranged on the control circuit board supports the actuator terminal. A hollow fitting is attached to the terminal support and fitted into the opening so as to extend into the housing. A seal, arranged between the terminal support and the fitting, seals the housing.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a transmission mechanism portion; a motor housed in a motor housing located at an engine side of the transmission mechanism portion; and a clutch interposed between an engine output shaft and an input shaft of the transmission mechanism portion, wherein: a secondary side of the clutch, which is connected to the input shaft, is configured by a cover; a rotor of the motor is integrally connected to the cover, which is the secondary side of the clutch; a stator of the motor is fixed to the motor housing; a front hub positioned at the engine side of the cover is rotatably supported at a front wall member of the motor housing; and a rear hub positioned at the transmission mechanism portion side of the cover is rotatably supported at a rear wall member of the motor housing.

Abstract: A generator system is disclosed. The generator system includes an input gear, a gear train coupled to the input gear, and a clutch associated with the input gear, wherein the clutch is exposed to the gear train.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuating assembly (100), operable in a plurality of fault-tolerant modes to accommodate at least the most probable fault situations. In the M1D1-only mode, actuator-moving power is transferred only through the first drivetrain (400A) and decoupling power transmitted through the second decoupling train (600B) decouples the second drivetrain (400B) from the actuator (200). In the M2D2-only mode, actuator-moving power is transferred only through the second drivetrain (400B) and decoupling power transmitted through the first decoupling train (600A) decouples the first drivetrain (400A) from the actuator (200).

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct drive motor for a vehicle wiper system, which drives a wiper arm directly connected to a motor shaft. The direct drive motor includes a clutch for restricting the movement of the motor shaft. For this purpose, the present invention provides a direct drive motor for a vehicle wiper system, including a rotor for generating a rotational force, in which a sun gear connected to an upper portion of the rotor transmits the rotational force to a power transmission portion, the direct drive motor including: a locking portion mounted on an upper inner surface of the rotor; and a clutch engaged with the locking portion and preventing the rotor from moving.

Abstract: A starter for cranking an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor, an output shaft, a pinion gear coupled to the output shaft. The starter motor further includes one-way clutch for transmitting the rotational torque of the electric motor to the output shaft while interrupting transmission of the rotational torque from the pinion gear driven by the engine to the electric motor. A clutch-inner of the one-way clutch is integrally formed with the output shaft. When the output shaft is driven by the engine via the pinion gear, a swinging rotation may be caused due to a small inclination of the output shaft relative to a real center axis of the starter. To suppress the swinging rotation, a washer is connected to a front end of the one-way clutch, and the washer is adapted to contact a rear end of the sliding bearing supporting the output shaft when the output shaft is rotated by the engine.

Abstract: An electric motor with two independent output shafts (2, 3) connected to the rotor (1) by coupling means (4, 5) working in one sense of rotation only, e.g. freewheel clutches. The first freewheel works in one sense of rotation (R1) while the second freewheel works in the opposite sense (R2). Two operating devices can be powered by the motor, simply by switching the sense of rotation; an example of use is a combined pump-compressor machine. Various embodiments are disclosed, some of them obtainable as a simple and low-cost modification of an existing motor or motor-pump assembly.

Abstract: In a starter motor equipped with a shock absorbing device, a disk spring is placed between a bottom part of a cylindrical casing and one side of a disk stack structure composed of rotatable disks and fixed disks which are alternately stacked. Caulking parts formed at an opening end of the cylindrical casing are bent toward the inner diameter side of the cylindrical casing in order to push the disk spring toward the bottom part side of the cylindrical casing through the disk stack structure. The disk spring accumulates reaction force (or elastic force) by the caulking. The reaction force accumulated in the disk spring pushes the disk stack structure to the axial direction of the cylindrical casing. The structure of the shock absorbing device can supply a uniform load to the disk spring, and provides a stable shock absorbing capability.

Abstract: The assembly is characterized in that the casing (62) of the engine of the motor vehicle carries, fastened to it, an axially projecting sleeve (246), in that the crankshaft (11) is lengthened axially by an extension (111), which firstly penetrates into the interior of the sleeve (246), and secondly serves for fastening the flywheel(13) of the clutch, and in that a bearing (346) is interposed radially between the extension (111) and the sleeve (246), being located radially inwards of the rotor (6).

Abstract: The spindle device 1 is provided with: a housing 10 formed with a support hole 10a; a spindle 12 which is supported to rotate freely about an axis within the support hole 10a of the housing 10 and of which distal end is attached with a tool T; a drive motor 20 for rotating the spindle 12 about the axis, the drive motor 20 being configured by a rotor 22 arranged to rotate freely on an outer circumferential surface of the spindle 12 and a stator 23 fixedly provided on an inner circumferential surface of the support hole 10a of the housing 10; an electromagnetic clutch 30 for transmitting intermittently a drive force of the drive motor 20 to the spindle 12; and a controlling device 40 for controlling an operation of the drive motor 20 and that of the electromagnetic clutch 30.

Abstract: Self powered cell phones are provided with an armature which is supported to freely oscillate in swinging opposite motions and which includes a wire coil configured to intersect the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet during such motions, which generates electrical voltage and current that can be used to operate the phone or charge or recharge its batteries. Recharging mechanisms are manually or flywheel operated to impart the armature's motions and supply the generated current to the cell phone batteries.

Abstract: Enhanced internal electrical generators are provided which include pole pieces that form air gaps flanked with conductive wire coils. Rotatable armatures supporting permanent magnets are arranged to swing or revolve relative to the air gaps such that the magnetic flux thereof is intersected by the wire coils to generate electrical voltage and current therein. These generators may be incorporated within the housing of many portable devices such as cell phones to self generate electrical current useful for operating the device or recharging its batteries or other component that stores the generated electrical energy.

Abstract: A bidirectional flexible coupling device with variable transmission characteristics including one or multiple first input/out end and one or multiple second input/out end, indicating the transmission of specific or controllable flexibility or torque value when the first input/output end drives the second input/output end for transmission; and according to operation requirements, the transmission may be of specific or controllable flexibility or torque value or of rigid without revolution difference when the second input/output end drives the first input/output end.

Abstract: An actuator comprises an electric actuating motor, a transmission mechanism and an actuating element, the actuating motor being a DC motor which comprises a first part having permanent magnets and a second part having windings and pole teeth. In order to be able to hold the actuator in any desired, adopted position without any additional apparatuses, the first part (30) has alternately first zones having a low magnetic field strength (31) and second zones having a high field strength (32) over its circumference, the circumferential angle (33) of the second zones (32) being equal to the circumferential angle (38) of the pole teeth (37) of the second part (35), the number of pole teeth (37) being selected such that all of the second zones (32) are always passed at the same time by a pole tooth (37), with the result that, in the event of a rotation in the state in which there is no current flowing, a pulsating torque is exerted between the first part (30) and the second part (35).

Abstract: To ensure that liquid and/or vapours do not escape from a tank space during cleaning by means of cleaning equipment, a housing (2) is provided with magnetic coupling equipment according to the invention, comprising two cooperating pole elements (8,9) which extend hermetically isolated from each other with pole parts extending in the turbine housing (3) on the tank space side and the gear housing (1) itself outside the tank space, respectively. This provides a considerable degree of security against liquid and gas leakage, while making it possible to achieve a compact structure with easy access for service and maintenance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus of a contra rotating generator. The contra rotating generator comprises a cylindrical armature supported on an inner shaft. The inner shaft rotates in a first direction. A cylindrical magnetic field rotor is supported on an outer shaft. The outer shaft is oriented coaxially to the inner shaft. The outer shaft contra rotates opposite to the first direction. A plurality of cam followers maintains uniform air gap between outer surface of the cylindrical armature and inner surface of the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. The uniform air gap prevents mechanical contact between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. A sprag clutch prevents unidirectional rotation of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The contra rotation between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor increases relative magnetic flux speed for generating electrical power at low speeds of operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling alternator temperature and engine temperature for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises rotating a first drive shaft to generate electricity during an operation of an engine; rotating a second drive shaft to cause pumping of coolant to cool at least portion of the alternator and the engine where the first and second drive shafts are operatively coupled such that rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the second drive shaft; and selectively routing coolant through multiple different fluid pathways in response to an engine operation condition.

Abstract: A polyphasic multi-coil generator includes a drive shaft, at least first and second rotors rigidly mounted on the drive shaft so as to simultaneously synchronously rotate with rotation of the drive shaft, and at least one stator sandwiched between the first and second rotors. The stator has an aperture through which the drive shaft is rotatably journalled. A stator array on the stator has an equally radially spaced-apart array of electrically conductive coils mounted to the stator in a first angular orientation about the drive shaft. The stator array is radially spaced apart about the drive shaft. The rotors and the stator lie in substantially parallel planes. The first and second rotors have, respectively, first and second rotor arrays. The first rotor array has a first equally radially spaced apart array of magnets radially spaced around the drive shaft at a first angular orientation relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a retraction circuit, wherein the retraction circuit uses the electric power generator as a motor to retract the string.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; and an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin. The string is anchored at one end to a case and passes around a rotating wheel. The rotating wheel is configured to be pulled.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.

Abstract: The invention involves installation of a helical nut structure, or a helical nut and ball or roller bearing structure, between an electric machinery transmission shaft and a driven transmission element. Depending on the torque between the electric machinery rotor, and on the loading or driving direction, the corresponding axial displacement of the electric machinery rotor can be controlled, and further the electric machinery characteristics relative to the electric machinery rotor and the electro-magnetic field can be modulated to achieve a desired control structure or testing device.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant actuator module, in a single containment shell, containing two actuator subsystems that are either asymmetrically or symmetrically laid out is provided. Fault tolerance in the actuators of the present invention is achieved by the employment of dual sets of equal resources. Dual resources are integrated into single modules, with each having the external appearance and functionality of a single set of resources.

Abstract: Arrangement for providing an integrated starter generator apparatus for producing electrical power and/or rotational torque. The apparatus includes a primary rotor (18) arranged for cooperation with a primary stator (16), and a secondary rotor (20) arranged for cooperation with a secondary stator (17). A one-way clutch (19) is disposed between the primary rotor (18) and the secondary rotor (20) that permits both rotors to be locked together in one direction of rotation, and that allows them to operate independently in the opposite direction of rotation.

Abstract: An integrated motor and clutch assembly is provided, which includes a housing that rotatably supports an input shaft and an output shaft. A selectively engageable friction clutch is disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft for transferring torque therebetween. The friction clutch includes an outer hub connected for rotation with the output shaft. The integrated motor and clutch assembly also includes a motor having a rotor non-rotatably connected to the outer hub of the friction clutch and disposed coaxial with the input and output shafts. The motor also includes a stator secured to the housing and disposed concentric with the rotor.

Abstract: In an electric actuator having inner component parts thereof inclusive of a motor 1 covered with a cover main body 10, the cover main body 10 having a coating (protection) function serves as a manually operating part and is equipped with a mechanism for switching between electrical and manual operations. A fixing structure for connecting and fixing an electric actuator 40 and a rotary valve 23 includes an annular one-way clutch structure 25 at one of opposite fixing positions, and includes an annular face part 6 disposed at the other of the opposite fixing positions. The annular face part 6 is inserted into the one-way clutch structure 25, thereby restraining the actuator and valve from being rotated in one circumferential direction.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system that includes one or more power drive units operable to supply a drive force. The power drive unit includes a motor and at least two output sections, each operably coupled to transmit the drive force to the thrust reverser movable components. Each of the output sections is operable to decouple the motor from associated thrust reverser movable components upon a torque magnitude being reached in the output section. A deadband coupler is provided to couple the first and second output sections together a time period after the torque magnitude is reached in one of the output sections.

Abstract: A Starter Motor Assembly for a piston aircraft engine is constructed by placing a clutch mechanism between the armature of a DC motor and a gear-reduction assembly. The output of said gear-reduction assembly is an output shaft that engages with the starter adapter of the engine. Such construction provides low resistance to rotation of the output shaft by the engine's starter adapter to reduce potential wear and allows the use of a smaller and lighter motor than would be possible without the gear-reduction. In addition, the choice of a centrifugal clutch in the preferred embodiment prevents the motor from being damaged by overheating in a stalled (non rotation) condition as the clutch disengages below a chosen motor rotation speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a magnet motor, and having being provided the driven power of the electromagnet motor for electric vehicles, wherein, it has provided with a wireless coil whole rotator, which the upper part has been constructed with an equal angle, a power perpetual magnet is provided. At least one set of a magnet pole coil is formed into an electromagnet pole module and a circuit control unit. Using the perpetual magnet and the less electricity consumption of an electric magnet pole generates the repelling torque, accomplishing the object of the turning rotator to generate power. Either it is coupled with a simple or a complex structure; it can apply to be the driven motor of a bicycle, a motorcycle and a car. Moreover, it can greatly reduce the consumption of the vehicle battery electricity, and make it to be an environmental protection and practical vehicle means.

Abstract: A clutch is arranged between a rotatable shaft and a worm shaft in a motor. The clutch includes a driving-side rotator connected to the rotatable shaft, a driven-side rotator connected to the worm shaft, a spring support and a coil spring arranged in the spring support. When the driving-side rotator is rotated upon energization of the motor, the coil spring is wound by the driving-side rotator to reduce an outer diameter of the coil spring, so that the rotation of the driving-side rotator is transmitted to the driven-side rotator and the worm shaft. When the driven-side rotator is rotated by an external mechanical force, the coil spring is unwound by the driven-side rotator to increase the outer diameter of the coil spring, so that a frictional force between the spring support and the coil spring is increased to restrain rotation of the driven-side rotator.

Abstract: A vehicle, having an engine (20) and a transmission (26), also includes an integrated assembly (24) between the engine (20) and transmission (26) which includes both a torque converter assembly (32) and an integrated starter-generator (ISG) assembly (36). The ISG assembly (36) is mounted between the torque converter assembly (32) and the transmission (26), with an ISG rotor (56) rotationally coupled to an impeller (42) through an assembly having compliance to allow for proper assembly and operation of the integrated assembly (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor body, especially for the rotor of the starter or the starter-generator of an internal combustion engine. Said rotor body is provided with a hub (4) that extends coaxially with respect to the axis of rotor rotation (A). The inventive rotor body comprises a rotation-symmetric base body (5) that forms the hub (4) and one or more blades (1, 2, 3) that all have the same thickness in the direction of the rotor rational axis (A).

Abstract: An improved control method activates an electric motor to drive a torque-to-thrust converter for controlling the torque capacity of a clutch mechanism. The control utilizes a model-based feed-forward control in combination with a closed-loop position feed-back control. The desired clutch torque capacity is characterized in terms of a desired motor position, and the feed-forward control models the motor speed and position response to changes in the desired motor position. The modeled speed and position, in turn, are used to create a feed-forward command, and the feed-forward command is combined with a feedback command based on actual position error.

Abstract: In an engine starter of the present invention, a driving shaft to output a rotating force and a crankshaft of an engine are linked continuously. The engine starter comprises a one-way clutch to prevent an overrun of an armature after the engine starts. In the one-way clutch, a connecting rotation number in which an inner ring and an outer ring change from a disconnected state to a connected state in a decreasing process of engine revolutions is set above a lower limit of the engine revolutions above which the engine under suspension of the fuel supply is able to get restarted by itself by resuming of fuel supply. Therefore, the engine is always able to get restarted quickly even in a low-rotation range.

Abstract: A drive system includes a hydrodynamic coupling device having a housing assembly, which is to be connected to an input shaft for rotating therewith, and an output element, which is to be brought into drive connection with a transmission arrangement. The hydrodynamic coupling device also comprises an electric machine equipped with a rotor assembly, which is connected to the housing assembly for rotating therewith, and with a stator assembly, wherein the stator assembly is supported on a housing that surrounds the hydrodynamic coupling device at least in areas. The area of the housing which supports the stator assembly has a cooling medium channel arrangement.

Abstract: A motor drive is constructed to include a DC motor, the DC motor having a worm at the output shaft thereof, a speed reducing mechanism formed of a main shaft and worm gear meshed with the worm and axially slidably mounted on the main shaft, a clutch adapted to control engagement between the main shaft and the worm gear, a mechanical step counter adapted to control forward/backward rotation of said DC motor, and an electronic step counter adapted to detect the pulse of the DC motor and to calculate the time to control forward/backward rotation of the DC motor.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive motor is provided with a pair of clutch devices on a rotor shaft through which electrical energy from electromagnetic rings on a tubular reactor is converted into forces transferred to the rotor shaft within the reactor under selective control of magnetostrictors and clutches within the tubular reactor to either accelerate or decelerate motion imparted by such forces to the rotor shaft for change of rotor speed magnitude and direction.

Abstract: An integrated motor and clutch assembly is provided, which includes a housing that rotatably supports an input shaft and an output shaft. A selectively engageable friction clutch is disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft for transferring torque therebetween. The friction clutch includes an outer hub connected for rotation with the output shaft. The integrated motor and clutch assembly also includes a motor having a rotor non-rotatably connected to the outer hub of the friction clutch and disposed coaxial with the input and output shafts. The motor also includes a stator secured to the housing and disposed concentric with the rotor.

Abstract: A housing of a compressor supports a rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is coupled to a pulley with a pulley one-way clutch and is coupled to a rotor of an electric motor with a motor one-way clutch. The pulley is supported by the housing with a pulley bearing. The electric motor overlaps a power transmission portion in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. At least two of the bearing, the pulley one-way clutch, the motor one-way clutch, and a brush device of the electric motor overlap each other in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. As a result, the size of the compressor is reduced in the axial direction of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A clutch is arranged between a rotatable shaft and a worm shaft in a motor. The clutch includes a driving-side rotator connected to the rotatable shaft, a driven-side rotator connected to the worm shaft, a spring support and a coil spring arranged in the spring support. When the driving-side rotator is rotated upon energization of the motor, the coil spring is wound by the driving-side rotator to reduce an outer diameter of the coil spring, so that the rotation of the driving-side rotator is transmitted to the driven-side rotator and the worm shaft. When the driven-side rotator is rotated by an external mechanical force, the coil spring is unwound by the driven-side rotator to increase the outer diameter of the coil spring, so that a frictional force between the spring support and the coil spring is increased to restrain rotation of the driven-side rotator.

Abstract: A stator has a pocket portion (8) of a notch type resin-made stator, in which strength of an outer corner R (12b) provided in the pocket portion (8) is increased to thereby prevent the resin-made stator body (1) from being broken from the outer corner R (12b). A stator has a pocket portion (8) encasing a strut 9 of a notch type one-way clutch (5). The pocket portion (8) is provided in a stator body (1) made of resin, and corner Rs (12a, 12b) are provided on both inner and outer sides of a strut engaging surface (13) in the pocket portion (8). The outer corner R (12b) is formed to be larger than the inner corner R (12a).

Abstract: A starter motor assembly is provided. A motor housing encloses an electrical motor having a rotatable armature shaft. A rotatable drive shaft is provided that is engageably linked with the armature shaft. A pinion assembly is also provided, which includes a pinion that is engageable with the drive shaft for turning a flywheel of an engine. A solenoid assembly is provided, which includes a plunger. The plunger, when the solenoid assembly is energized, is moved in an axial direction to close electrical contacts to start the electrical motor and to move the pinion into engagement with the engine flywheel. Once the engine is cranked and the solenoid is deenergized, a return spring moves the pinion away from engagement with the engine flywheel. The return spring of the present invention moves the pinion without utilizing contact between the spring and the pinion (or any pinion shaft) to move the pinion away from engagement.

Abstract: A clutch includes a stopper secured to a gear housing of a motor. Once the stopper is secured to the gear housing, the stopper restrains axial movement of rolling elements by restraining axial movement of a support member, which rotatably supports the rolling elements, to retain the rolling elements within a collar. A driven-side rotator of the clutch includes reinforcing ribs for reinforcing engaging projections of the driven-side rotator.