Abstract: A two-piece pinion gear includes a metal outer portion and a plastic inner portion. The metal outer portion includes a plurality of gear teeth that are adapted to be engaged by a driving member. The plastic inner portion preferably includes a spiraled groove that is adapted to ride along a spiraled track on a spline shaft associated with an electric starting motor.

Abstract: A starter for an engine includes a housing. A starter motor in said housing includes a field apparatus including a tubular yoke being provided to form a part of the housing. An annular ventilation passage is provided in the starter defined along an inner periphery of the yoke and being hermetically sealed from an inside of the yoke. A first ventilation hole is defined proximate a bottom portion of the housing for interconnecting an inside of the passage to an outside of the housing. A second ventilation hole is defined proximate a top portion of the ventilation passage for interconnecting the inside of the passage to an inside of the starter motor.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic switch for a starter, a plunger is housed to face a grounding plate through an air gap in the inner circumference of an attraction coil. When the attraction coil is energized and magnetic flux flows in the magnetic circuit, the plunger is attracted toward the grounding plate by the magnetic force. The plunger has a hollow recess as a variable magnetic resistance member at its bottom end which is opposite to the air gap. The hollow recess extends inwardly from the bottom surface of the plunger by a predetermined length and is closed by a plug body fitted in the opening to have a closed hollow space. The variable magnetic resistance member may be provided by a reduced diameter part in place of or in combination with the hollow recess.

Abstract: A starter assembly for assisting a user in starting a lawnmower engine includes a base component having two opposing vertical side walls, a vertical rear wall and planar horizontal upper and lower surfaces. A lawnmower may be suspended a predetermined distance above the upper surface by placing its wheels on a pair of opposed ramp members. Attached to a sidewall of the base component is an electric motor which rotatably drives a horizontal bar extending from the upper surface. The rotating bar has a pair of oppositely facing pivoting flaps for engaging a lawnmower blade. The electric motor is selectively activated with a lockable switch disposed on the exterior of the base component. Accordingly, when the electric motor is activated, the bar rotates and the flaps pivot to a vertical position to engage the lawnmower blade to rotate the blade at a speed sufficient to crank the engine.

Abstract: In an engine starter, to facilitate the assembling of a solenoid assembly, an annular outer peripheral wall is formed in the casing for receiving the energization solenoid assembly and to secure the solenoid assembly by crimping a free end of the annular outer peripheral wall onto an axial end of the solenoid assembly, and the energization solenoid assembly is fitted into the bore defined by the annular outer peripheral wall by engaging the outer periphery of the solenoid assembly with three fingers of an assembly tool. A plurality of crimping portions are defined by a plurality of recesses provided along the circumferential direction of the free end of the annular outer peripheral wall so that the fingers of an assembling tool when inserting the solenoid assembly are not interfered by the annular outer peripheral wall.

Abstract: A pinion (7A) of a starter motor for an internal combustion engine, which pinion has an outer peripheral surface formed with gear teeth (7G) and an inner peripheral surface snugly fit with a bearing (8) so that the pinion can slideably move along an output shaft (6) of the starter motor through the medium of the bearing (8). The internal combustion engine is started by the starter motor through a ring gear of the engine which gear is caused to mesh with the gear teeth of the pinion upon starting of the engine. An inner diameter of a tip end portion (7a) of the pinion at which the pinion is brought into contact with the ring gear upon meshing therewith is so dimensioned as to lie between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the bearing (8) in order to increase the strength of the pinion.

Abstract: In a starter with a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, a first output shaft retaining member (retaining member 10, washer 20) and a second output shaft retaining member (pinion retaining ring 250) are mounted on an output shaft 220 in such a manner as to sandwich from axially front and rear directions a bearing support portion of a housing 400 which supports one end of the output shaft 220, so that a thrust load in the frontward and rearward directions of the output shaft 220 is received at the front and rear end faces of the bearing support portion of the housing 400. Therefore, the axially rearward movement of the output shaft 220 is regulated assuredly without regulating it by the rear end face of the center bracket 360 and the mortor partition wall 800, thereby preventing deformation of the center bracket.

Abstract: A labyrinth drainage construction for draining water which has penetrated into a front case of a starter is provided by a groove, a communication port, and a drainage hole. The groove is formed on a lower inner peripheral surface of a fit-in portion of the front case which fits with a center case such that the groove extends backward along the lower part of a holding plate from the front side of the holding plate. The communication port is interposed between the groove and a rotation restriction member-holding space located between the holding plate and the center case, thus communicating the groove and the rotation restriction member-holding space with each other. A drainage hole is positioned axially rearward from the communication port and communicates the groove and the outside of the front case.

Abstract: In a one way clutch of a starter having an outer member, inner member and rollers, a planet carrier is formed integrally with the outer member and through holes are formed avoiding cam chambers for rollers so as not to interfere with cam chambers formed in the inner circumferential surface of outer member. At one end portion of outer member, limiting portion for limiting the axial shifting of rollers is integrally formed, and at the other end surface, a limiting plate for limiting the axial shifting of rollers is provided and press-fitted into pins. The limiting portion may be replaced by another limiting plate. Through holes for the through holes are formed at locations where the outer member is radially thick, e.g., between circumferentially adjacent two of the cam chambers.

Abstract: A governor system is provided for engine starter mechanisms to prevent a premature retracting movement of a single-direction rotatable clutch. The governor system is constructed with a reduced number of parts and such that a clutch does not suffer from the increased angular momentum as it rotates together with a governor weight. The governor system includes a casing or a bracket fixed to a driven gear, with the governor weight received in the casing. The governor weight is provided with a first and a second weight portion which are different in weight from each other such that the center of gravity of the governor weight is disposed radially eccentric.

Abstract: A rotation restricting member made of a resilient body such as a leaf spring is driven by a magnet switch upon energization of a motor and engages engaging grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of an outer portion of a one-way clutch so that the rotation restricting member restricts rotation of the one-way clutch. The motor has first and second field coils connected in parallel. The first field coil is connected to an exciting coil in the magnet switch in series and the second field coil is connected to a motor contact in the magnet switch in series. When a starter switch is actuated, only the first field coil is actuated first with low voltage. Then, the motor contact is closed and the second field coil is actuated also so that the motor rotates at a high speed with full voltage.

Abstract: A starter for an engine, having a ring gear includes an output shaft for slidably holding a pinion gear engageable with the ring gear, a housing having an opening portion that enables the pinion gear to engage with the ring gear when the pinion gear advances, a cover having a shutter, a front wall and a side wall for sliding together with the pinion gear. The shutter opens the opening portion when the pinion gear advances and shuts the most part of the opening portion when the pinion gear retracts. The front wall is provided to cover at least half of a front portion, which faces to the ring gear, of the pinion gear. The side wall is extended from the front wall in a direction parallel to an axis of the output shaft to cover at least half of the gear tooth periphery in a circumferential direction of the pinion gear. When water carried by the rotating ring gear comes to the opening portion when the pinion gear rotates with the ring gear, most of such water is blocked by the gear tooth.

Abstract: A starter in which a flange member is mounted to the starter body in accordance with the mounting conditions of the engine. An output shaft is disposed coaxially with the rotating shaft of the motor, and a front housing of the overhang type is used. Changing the mounting angle does not change the position of the motor, so that by simply replacing the flange member, a common front housing can be used to allow mounting in accordance with a larger number of mounting conditions. In addition, the tabular shape of the flange member allows die costs to be reduced.

Abstract: In a coaxial engine starter comprising a pinion (6) connected to the output shaft (4) which is driven by an electric motor (3), via a helical spline (19), a switch unit (7) for selectively closing a power supply line to the electric motor, and a solenoid device (9) consisting of an annular armature and an annular energization coil surrounding the output shaft to axially drive the pinion and a moveable contact of the switch unit in the axial direction, the switch is adapted to be closed before the pinion is actuated by the solenoid device. Therefore, the output requirement for the solenoid device can be reduced as opposed to the conventional starter in which the pinion is actuated strictly by the solenoid device, and the size of the engine starter can be reduced.

Abstract: A brush holder is held between a yoke of a starter motor and an end frame made of resin. The brush holder has an engaging guide portion projecting axially therefrom and engaging the yoke and the end frame and a projected peripheral portion projecting outside from peripheral surfaces of the yoke and that of the end frame. The brush holder contacts the yoke and the end frame at cylindrical surfaces thereof and surfaces perpendicular to the cylindrical surfaces. This construction allows the brush holder to be prevented from loosening, thus improving the vibration proof and durability of the brush holder. Further, the brush holder contacts the yoke and the end frame at the cylindrical surfaces thereof and the surfaces perpendicular to the cylindrical surfaces, thus dissipating the heat of a brush through the brush holder and the yoke more efficiently.

Abstract: A motor vehicle starter head includes a starter pinion which slides axially on a starter head shaft, an actuator coupled with the pinion for axial movement with the latter, and abutment means for limiting the travel of the pinion in sliding movement with respect to the starter head shaft, at least towards its working position. The actuator has internal splines cooperating with external splines on the starter head shaft, and the abutment means comprise an abutment member which is coupled for axial movement with the actuator and which cooperates with a transverse flank of the external splines on the shaft.

Abstract: A starter for an automotive vehicle is comprised of an output shaft rotationally driven by a DC motor, a pinion having on its inner circumference a helical spline engaged with a helical spline on the output shaft. A pinion restricting member has a long arm engageable with teeth formed on the outer circumference of the pinion. A drive housing abuts axially at the pinion restricting member, and a center case abuts axially against the pinion restricting member. The pinion restricting member is held assuredly and axially by the drive housing and the center case.

Abstract: In a coaxial engine starter comprising a pinion connected to the output shaft which is driven by an electric motor, via a helical spline, a switch unit for selectively closing a power supply line to the electric motor, and a solenoid device consisting of an annular armature and an annular energization coil surrounding the output shaft to axially drive the pinion and a moveable contact of the switch unit in the axial direction, the energization coil is disposed between the electric motor and the pinion with a commutator of the electric motor facing the energization coil, and a pigtail for one of the brushes is directly connected to the moveable contact. Also, the contacts of the switch unit are placed between a pair of adjacent brushes of the commutator.

Abstract: First and second switches are disposed in a housing which accommodates a magnetic switch of a starter motor. The magnetic switch is composed of a plunger and a exciting coil to drive the plunger. A movable contact of the first switch is mechanically connected to the plunger at such a space from a stationary contact of the first switch that it supplies driving current through a current limiting resistor when a pinion of the starter motor is brought in contact with a ring gear of an engine. A movable contact of the second switch is mechanically connected to to the plunger at such a space that it bypasses the current limiting resistor when the pinion is brought in mesh with the ring gear. A timer composed of a bimetal switch is provided to interrupt the driving current through the current limiting resistor if the resistor is heated at a designated temperature.

Abstract: A starter device having a reduced output shaft diameter is provided. A stopper mechanism for impeding the outward movement of the pinion (12) along the output shaft (3a) is implemented by forming the helical splines (31) on the output shaft (3a) as being alternately open (31a, 31b) and closed (32a) helical splines. The thrust washer (21), for bearing the outward axial force of the output shaft (3a), is disposed in the front bracket (5) of the starter in front of the front bearing (16) and opposed to the front end (3d) of the output shaft (3a). Both the stopper mechanism and thrust washer configuration according to the invention allow for a reduced diameter of the output shaft (3a). The reduced diameter of the output shaft, in turn, affords the option of making the pinion (12) smaller in diameter.

Abstract: An engine starter drive clutch assembly which comprises a starter motor with an armature shaft, pinion gear for engaging and disengaging an engine drive gear, a spline for transmitting axial rotational movement to the pinion gear, and a clutch assembly for transmitting torque between the armature shaft and the pinion gear.

Abstract: A starter includes a housing having a water barrier wall, a drive shaft disposed in the housing, and pinion gear having a flange portion. The water barrier wall comes into contact with the flange portion when the starter is in operation. The pinion gear is adapted to engage with a ring gear of an engine, which the starter starts. The pinion gear contacts the drive shaft through a sliding portion. The structure of the starter prevents water, dust, dirt and other contaminants from leaking into the housing via a window in the housing. Thus, the function and operability of the starter is improved.

Abstract: In an overhang type starter motor, an inner periphery of a front portion of a pinion 5 is engaged with a spline serration 2a formed at a front part of a pinion shaft 2; a spring 8 is disposed at a shoulder portion of an intermediate portion of the pinion 5 so as to urge the pinion 5 toward a pinion stopper 6; and the inner periphery of the rear part 5a of the pinion 5 is in slide contact with an outer diameter portion 2b of the pinion shaft so that the pinion does not incline when it comes to engagement with a ring gear of an engine.

Abstract: A coaxial starting motor comprises a d.c. motor whose armature has a hollow rotary shaft projected at its end forwardly, and which has a rear end provided with an electromagnetic switch which is arranged to be coaxial therewith, and which has a movable core attracted by a fixed core on energizing an exciting coil to forwardly move a movable rod with the movable core and causing a movable contact supported by the movable rod to get in touch with a fixed contact wherein the electromagnetic switch has a fixed core partitioning a contact chamber and a movable core chamber so as to prevent contact powder from entering the movable core chamber and hamper the sliding motion of the movable core.

Abstract: A starter head for the starter of an internal combustion engine includes a motor shaft, on which a starter pinion is mounted for axial sliding movement. A free wheel and a driving sleeve are secured on the starter pinion by means of a securing shroud. The starter pinion has a bore over the whole of its length, with the motor shaft being displaceable within this bore. The starter has a device for limiting the axial throw of the starter head. The throw limiting device comprises a stop ring cooperating with a further ring fixed on the free end of the engine shaft within the bore of the pinion. The stop ring is fitted in a semicylindrical groove formed in the bore.

Abstract: The starting device, particular a freely disengaging starting device, has an electric motor, the rotor of which drives a driven shaft which has a pinion for driving the gear ring of an internal combustion engine, in which the driven shaft end section carrying the pinion is supported in a face wall of the housing. For a compact structural form, in particular a short form, the driven shaft (6) is supported with its other end (23), via a first bearing (needle bearing 37) in a central aperture (166) of a free-wheel outer ring (35), the surface (164) of which is supported via a second bearing (deep groove ball bearing 38) on the housing (2) of the starting device (1). The associated end (25) of a rotor shaft (17) of the starter rotor (5) is supported via a third bearing (needle bearing 31) on the end section of the driven shaft (6) which lies in the interior of the housing (2).

Abstract: An electric engine starter for cranking an internal combustion engine. The starter has a drive housing which is shaped to define a solenoid compartment and a starter drive compartment. The drive housing has a pair of spaced walls connecting the solenoid compartment to the starter drive compartment. A starter drive that includes a pinion gear and an overrunning clutch is located in the starter drive compartment. A shift lever retainer is located between the spaced walls of the drive housing and pivotally supports a shift lever. The retainer has outwardly projecting ribs and the spaced walls have inwardly projecting spaced ribs. These ribs impede the passage of water from the starter drive compartment to the solenoid compartment. The shift lever has a plate or flap which, in an at-rest position of the shift lever, forms a barrier for the passage of water from the starter drive compartment toward the retainer.

Abstract: A starting motor with an intermediate gear wherein rotation of a rotating shaft of a DC motor is transmitted to a pinion in a one-way rotational direction by an overrunning clutch, and an intermediate gear supported rotatably and forward-and-backward slidably by an intermediate shaft retained by a front bracket through a bearing and in mesh with the pinion, meshes with a ring-gear of an internal combustion engine by a forward movement thereof thereby starting the internal combustion engine, characterized by that; a storage for a lubricant is provided at a middle portion of the intermediate gear in the axial direction, which is fixed to an inner diameter portion of the intermediate gear; and dust seals are provided in a bearing with metal back supported by the intermediate shaft and at both ends of the inner diameter portion of the intermediate gear.

Abstract: An electric starter having an electric motor with a rotatable shaft, a pinion gear for driving a flywheel, and a friction clutch for transmitting torque which includes a drive plate connected to the shaft and a friction coupling for frictionally transmitting torque between the drive plate and pinion gear wherein the coupling is compressible and a stop limits compression to a predetermined maximum compression so as to set a predetermined slip torque or limit torque transfer to a predetermined maximum torque.

Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine including mechanical components subject to an impact load during operation including a shift lever, internal gear, gear cover formed integrally with the internal gear, front case, center bracket, and brush holder disposed in a rear bracket. At least one of the mechanical components is formed of a synthetic resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 90.degree. C. such as an aromatic copolymer and nylon series, whereby a workability and an impact load absorbing capacity of the mechanical components as well as the bending rupture strength are capable of withstanding an impact load caused by an abnormal operation of the starter at a high environmental temperature greater than 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A rotatable flange device for mounting a starter to an engine thereby permitting ready orientation of the starter and associated connections to adapt the starter configuration to a wide variety of engines, mounting positions, and vehicles.

Abstract: A coaxial starter comprises an electric motor housed in a cylindrical yoke, a clutch mechanism for transmitting rotational force of the electric motor to an output shaft disposed on the same axis as an armature shaft of the electric motor, and a front bracket for supporting the output shaft. The yoke of the electric motor is formed of a metal sheet integrally with the front bracket through drawing.

Abstract: A coaxial engine starter comprises an electric motor having an armature winding of a single turn and a hollow armature rotary shaft for generating a rotational force for starting an engine. The starter also comprises an over-running clutch mechanism disposed within the hollow armature rotary shaft for preventing the occurrence of an excessive-speed of the armature and having a pinion having a gear teeth number equal to or less than seven for engaging with a ring gear of an engine upon starting of the electric motor. A solenoid switch is also disposed behind the electric motor for moving a pinion shaft forward and supplying an electric power to the electric motor.

Abstract: A contaminant proof structure for a starter for an engine, with the starter including a sliding portion between a sliding member and a support member supporting the sliding member disposed in a housing so that the sliding member can project into the outside of the housing through an opening formed in a wall of the housing. An atmospheric gas reservoir disposed in the housing between the support member and the wall of the housing around the opening, and a communication passage bypasses the sliding portion and communicates the atmospheric gas reservoir with an external atmospheric gas through a space at an opposite side of the support member to the atmospheric gas reservoir side. The sliding member is dimensioned such that a gap between the opening and the sliding member inserted in the opening is small.

Abstract: An engine starter apparatus comprises a housing (9), a d.c. electric motor (2), an output rotary shaft (3) with a pinion (7), and a planetary speed reduction gear (5). The planetary speed reduction gear (5) comprises a sun gear (11), an internal gear (20), a plurality of planetary gears (12) disposed between the sun gear (11) and the internal gear (20), and a planetary gear carrier (10) connected to the output rotary shaft (3) for rotatably supporting the planetary gears (12). The internal gear (20) comprises a ring-shaped internal gear member (20a), and elastic reinforcing ring member (21,22; 24) for elastically supporting the internal gear member (20a), thereby to increase rigidity of the internal gear member (20a).

Abstract: The housing has a bell-shaped end portion with an axial aperture in which the output pinion of the starter motor unit is supported for rotation and a side aperture through which the pinion can mate with a rotary member of the internal combustion engine. The side wall of the bell-shaped portion opposite the side aperture has a recess with a flat wall portion extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the bell-shaped portion.

Abstract: An engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, a solenoid switch for energizing the electric motor and having a push rod extending into the into the hollow armatur rotary shaft, an output rotary shaft having a pinion disposed on a front end thereof, the output rotary shaft being axially slidable relative to the armature rotary shaft to move the pinion into and out of engagement with an engine ring gear. A clutch outer member of an over-running clutch unit is mounted on the output rotary shaft and is connected to the electric motor for being rotated thereby, and a clutch inner member driven by the clutch outer member through a plurality of rollers is provided with helical splines on its inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: An intermediate gear type starter motor of the present invention comprises an electric motor with an armature rotary shaft, an overrunning clutch to which rotation of the rotary shaft is transmitted directly or through a speed reducing mechanism, an intermediate gear and a shift coupler. The overrunning clutch rotating a pinion in one way is provided at the front end of the overrunning clutch and is moved axially by a shift lever which is operated by an electromagnetic switch. The intermediate gear is rotatably and axially movably mounted on a supporting shaft arranged in parallel with the axis of the rotary shaft. The intermediate gear is in engagement with the pinion and is moved forwardly to engage with the ring gear of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A starter with a reduction mechanism provided between a motor and a pinion clutch includes a pinion shaft mechanically coupled to the inner portion periphery of a clutch inner of the pinion clutch in such a manner as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, and a pinion provided at one end of the pinion shaft. The starter further, includes first helical splines provided between the clutch inner portion of the pinion clutch and the pinion shaft, and second helical splines provided at one end of the pinion shaft such that the pinion shaft is mechanically coupled to the pinion therethrough.

Abstract: In a starter, the pinion, which is rotated by torque of an electric motor, is slid axially by the plunger of an electromagnetic switch and is pushed against the engine ring gear by a conically coiled compression coil, which allows employment of a small electromagnetic switch. Further, in an electromagnetic switch in which the plunger confronted coaxially with the stationary iron core slidably supporting a rod with a movable contact is moved towards the stationary iron core by electromagnetic force, a conically coiled spring is interposed between the plunger and the stationary iron core in such a manner that the spring is substantially coaxial with the plunger and the iron core, so that the playing of the rod is prevented.

Abstract: A starter motor is adapted to transmit through an overrunning clutch device a rotating force of an armature to a rotary output shaft to which a pinion is fitted by means of a linear spline structure so that the pinion is engageable with a ring gear connected to an engine. The rotary output shaft has a shoulder portion between a helical spline portion, which is engaged with a helical spline which in turn is formed at the inner circumference of the front part of a clutch inner member in the overrunning clutch device, and a linear spline portion to which the pinion is fitted, and a spring is disposed inside the inner diameter of the heical spline of the clutch inner member and between the helical spline of the rotary output shaft and the rear end of the pinion so that the pinion is pushed forwardly wherein the shoulder portion has a diamter smaller than the diameter of the root of the helical spline of the rotary output shaft.

Abstract: In a planet gear speed-reducing starter in which the rotation of the armature rotary shaft is applied through a planet gear speed-reducing mechanism to the output rotary shaft coupled to the planet gear speed-reducing mechanism, a carrier supporting the planetary gears of the planet gear speed-reducing mechanism is fitted on the rear end portion of the output rotary shaft with its rearward movement limited in such a manner that the output rotary shaft is limited in rearward movement while the carrier is limited in forward movement, and the carrier and the output rotary shaft are slidable with a predetermined torque with each other, whereby the impact occurring therewith is absorbed sufficiently.

Abstract: An engine starter pinion drive and method for assembly which comprises a starter motor with an armature shaft, a clutch subassembly, a pinion gear for engaging and disengaging an engine drive gear, an anti-drift spring and a retainer sleeve locking the clutch subassembly in position on the armature shaft. The retainer sleeve is configured for axial push-on mounting to the armature shaft with a plurality of tabs for snap lock engagement with a groove in the armature shaft.

Abstract: An inertia drive engine starter comprising an electric motor having an armature shaft provided with an axial, bottomed central bore in the front end, a slide output shaft provided with a pinion at the front end thereof and a stopper at the rear end thereof received in the bottomed central bore of the armature shaft, and an overrunning clutch for transmitting the torque of the armature shaft to the slide output shaft. Internal helical splines formed in the inner surface of the inner race of the overrunning clutch and external helical splines formed in the outer surface of the slide output shaft are engaged to transmit the torque of the armature shaft to the slide output shaft and to thrust the slide output shaft to the front when the electric motor is actuated.

Abstract: An engine starter where a pinion, which is engaged or disengaged with a ring gear of the engine to be started, is formed as an integral part of a drive shaft at an end of the drive shaft which is movable in the axial direction thereof while being rotated by an electric motor. The engine starter has no restriction of the root thickness of the pinion or the number of teeth of the pinion, and has a large gear ratio to the ring gear.

Abstract: A coaxial engine starter comprising an electric motor (1) having a hollow armature rotary shaft (2) rotatably supported by a housing (17) and an output rotary shaft (3) coaxially slidably disposed within the armature rotary shaft (2) and having a pinion (4) at a front end thereof. The motor housing has a central bore within which the armature rotary shaft (2) and the plunger rod (6a) are disposed to define an annular clearance between the housing and the plunger rod (6a). Disposed behind the motor (1) is a solenoid switch (5) having a magnetically movable iron core (6) including a plunger rod (6a) coaxially slidable relative to the armature rotary shaft (2) for operatively pushing forward the output rotary shaft (3) within said hollow armature rotary shaft (2).

Abstract: An engine starter comprises a DC motor having a hollow armature rotation shaft, a drive force transmitting device for transmitting a drive force generated by the DC motor, the drive force transmitting device includes a planetary gear speed reducer connected to the armature rotation shaft axially slidably received in a hollow portion of the armature rotation shaft, the output rotation shaft having a helical spline portion engaged with a helical spline portion of the overrunning clutch device, a pinion mounted on a front end of the output rotation shaft to engage a ring gear of an engine and spring device, provided adjacent to a side face of said pinion, for urging said pinion forwardly.

Abstract: A starter motor which is improved in waterproof performance. The starter motor comprises an output rotary shaft, a stationary frame, a ball bearing secured to the frame, and a clutch pinion moving member mounted in a coaxial relationship to the rotary shaft between an outer periphery of the rotary shaft and the ball bearing for sliding movement over a predetermined distance in an axial direction thereof. The clutch pinion moving member has a pinion at a front end thereof, and an oil seal is mounted at a location on the frame forwardly of the ball bearing and extending toward the clutch pinion moving member to seal a location between the frame and the clutch pinion moving member. The oil seal has a radial section of an L-shape having an axial side and a radial side extending from a front end of the axial side. It may have a plurality of axially extending drain slots or drain holes formed in a circumferentially spaced relationship on an inner periphery of the axial side thereof.

Abstract: A moisture drain bush for use in a moisture drain hole in an engine starter motor housing wall comprises a stem having an inner and an outer end and an axial length equal to a housing wall thickness and having an axial groove extending between the inner and the outer ends of the stem. An inner flange has a flat inner surface radially extending from the inner end of the stem and larger than the drain hole is provided. The inner flange also has an inner radial groove connected at its inner end to the inner end of the axial groove in the stem and radially extending therefrom to open at the outer periphery of the inner flange. An outer flange having a flat inner surface radially extends from the outer end of the stem and larger than the drain hole is provided. The outer flange has an outer radial groove extending across the outer flange to open at the outer periphery of the outer flange at substantially diametrically opposite positions, the outer radial groove being connected to the outer end of the axial groove.

Abstract: A water proof structure for a use in a starter motor comprising a front bracket, an over-running clutch axially slidably supported on a rotary shaft, and a pinion mounted to the over-running clutch and movable between a forward position for engagement with an engine ring gear and a rearward position for disengagement from the engine ring gear. The front bracket includes a tubular wall 22 surrounding the over-running clutch and having formed therein an opening for allowing the pinion in the forward position to be projected therethrough and a moisture drain opening 20c in its bottom. The water proof structure comprises a radial wall 25 extending from the front bracket toward a front end of the pinion in the forward position for substantially closing a gap between the tubular wall and the pinion. At the corner of the bottom portion of the radial wall and the tubular wall, a moisture drain hole 27 is provided.