FR3057625A1 - LAUNCHER FOR MOTOR VEHICLE STARTER WITH THERMAL MOTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a starter launcher (3, 30) having a driver (6 ') and a closure cap (8) assembled to the driver, the driver comprising a sleeve (61) extending in a manner longitudinal axis (X), the sleeve having a peripheral surface (62), the closure cap covering a portion of the peripheral surface of the sleeve, the launcher being characterized in that the driver comprises a shoulder (66) arranged on the part the peripheral surface of the sleeve covered by the closure cap, the shoulder forming a means for holding the closure cap on the driver.

Description

Holder (s): VALEO ELECTRIC EQUIPEMENTS MOTOR Simplified joint-stock company.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): VALEO EQUIPEMENTS ELECTRIQUES MOTOR Simplified joint-stock company.

LAUNCHER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE STARTER WITH A THERMAL ENGINE.

FR 3 057 625 - A1 f5 /) The present invention relates to a starter launcher (3, 30) comprising a driver (6 ') and a closing cover (8) assembled on the driver, the driver comprising a sleeve (61) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), the sleeve having a peripheral surface (62), the closure cover covering part of the peripheral surface of the sleeve, the launcher being characterized in that the drive comprises a shoulder (66) arranged on the part of the peripheral surface of the sleeve covered by the closure cover, the shoulder forming a means for holding the closure cover on the driver.

i

STARTER FOR A STARTER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A HEAT ENGINE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical field of the invention is that of motor vehicles with thermal engine, and more particularly that of starters of such vehicles.

The invention relates to a launcher for a starter of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A partial schematic view in longitudinal section of a starter 1 according to the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 1. The starter 1 comprises a starter 3 equipped with a pinion 4 intended to mesh with a toothed ring of a motor motor vehicle thermal. The starter 1 also comprises an electric motor 12 intended to drive the pinion 4 in rotation via the starter 3. The starter 1 also comprises a contactor (not shown) intended to move the pinion 4 axially towards the ring gear by means of 'a fork

13.

The launcher 3 comprises an output shaft 5 extending along a longitudinal axis X, a driver 6 and a free wheel 7 with rollers 71 disposed between the output shaft 5 and the driver 6. The output shaft 5 forms an internal track of the freewheel 7. The driver 6 is extended axially in the direction of the pinion 4 by a bushing 61 configured internally to form an external track of the freewheel 7 and to house springs acting on the rollers 71. The internal track and the outer track of the freewheel 7 are rolling surfaces of the rollers 71. The movement of the freewheel 7 is favored by lubricating grease.

As best seen in Figure 2, the rollers 71, the springs and the lubricating grease are retained inside the driver 6 by a closure cover 8 covering the driver 6. A sheet 9 ensuring the seal is arranged between the closure cover 8 and the driver 6. The latter has a peripheral surface 62 of cylindrical shape in which a groove 64 is machined. The closure cover 8 is formed by a disc 81 transverse to the longitudinal axis X of the launcher and an annular rim 82 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the launcher 3.

The closure cover 8 is assembled on the coach 6 by a spinning process. During this process, the rim 82 of the closure cover 8 is placed opposite the peripheral surface 62 of the driver 6 and then the rim 82 is deformed so that it fills the groove 64 forming a projection 84. This projection 84 cooperates with the groove 64 to hold the closure cover 8 on the driver 6 and prevent it from moving when the driver 6 is rotating.

The driver 6 is obtained by successive strikes of a cylindrical piece by means of a first machine tool. Then, the groove 64 is formed on the peripheral surface 62 of the driver 6 by means of a second machine tool. Consequently, it is necessary to carry out a resumption of machining and to use several machines to manufacture the trainer 6. This difficulty results in an increase in the time and the cost of production of the trainer 6.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a launcher for a starter of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the launcher comprising a trainer whose manufacture is simplified. The invention thus aims to reduce the time and the cost of production of the trainer, and by consequence that of the launcher.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a starter launcher comprising a driver and a closure cover assembled on the driver, the driver comprising a socket extending along a longitudinal axis, the socket having a peripheral surface, the cover closure covering part of the peripheral surface of the sleeve, the driver comprising a shoulder arranged on the part of the peripheral surface of the sleeve covered by the closure cover, the shoulder forming a portion for holding the closure cover on the 'coach.

The trainer is obtained by successive strikes of a cylindrical piece by means of a machine tool. In addition, the coach is intended to start rotating. The driver and the closure cover are therefore made integral by a holding means to prevent the closure cover from moving. Thanks to the invention, the holding means, that is to say the shoulder, is produced by means of the same machine tool as that used to shape the trainer. It is indeed possible to form the shoulder by striking. Contrary to the prior art, it is therefore no longer necessary to carry out a resumption of machining. As a result, the manufacturing of the trainer is simpler and faster, which reduces its production cost.

The launcher according to the first aspect of the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or according to the technically possible combinations:

- The sleeve has a front face at least partially covered by the closure cover and a rear face opposite the front face, the peripheral surface of the sleeve being of generally cylindrical shape, the peripheral surface comprising a front part extending between the front face of the sleeve and the shoulder, and a rear part extending between the shoulder and the rear face of the sleeve, the front part of the peripheral surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of the rear part of the surface peripheral;

- the shoulder has a height equal to half the difference between the diameter of the front part of the peripheral surface and the diameter of the rear part of the peripheral surface, the height of the shoulder being greater than 0.2 mm ;

- The height of the shoulder is in particular between 0.2 and 0.5 mm;

- The peripheral surface of the sleeve has a total length along the direction of the longitudinal axis, the front part of the peripheral surface extending over a length greater than 10% of the total length of the peripheral surface;

- the length of the front part of the peripheral surface is less than 70% of the total length of the peripheral surface;

- The length of the front part of the peripheral surface is substantially equal to one third of the total length of the peripheral surface;

- the closure cover is formed from a more ductile material than the material of the driver;

- the coach is made of steel compatible with a cold-stamping process and the closure cover is made of steel compatible with a stamping process;

- the coach is made of case-hardened steel and the closure cover is made of steel with a low carbon content;

- The launcher further comprises a sheet disposed between the closure cover and the driver;

- the shoulder extends over the entire circumference of the coach

- The closure cover has a shoulder complementary to the shoulder of the sleeve, the two shoulders cooperating together to maintain the closure cover;

- The closure cover comprises a disc arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis and a flange extending from the disc on the peripheral surface of the sleeve, the flange comprising a front part extending between the disc and the shoulder of said cover, and a rear part extending between the shoulder of said cover and a free end of said cover, said front part having a radial thickness less than a radial thickness of said rear part of the rim.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle starter comprising a launcher according to the first aspect of the invention.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of mounting a closure cover on a trainer for a launcher according to the first aspect of the invention. According to the invention, the method comprises a first step of making the trainer, for example by striking. Said method further comprises a second step of positioning the closure cover on the driver so that a disc of the closure cover covers a front face of the sleeve and that a flange of the cover closure is placed opposite the peripheral surface of the socket. Said method also comprises a third spinning step, carried out by means of a tool provided with an opening 21 of a shape complementary to that of the cross section of the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61, during which the edge of the cover closure is plastically deformed so as to match the peripheral surface of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention and its various applications will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it, among which:

- Figure 1 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of a starter according to the prior art;

- Figure 2 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of the starter launcher of Figure 1;

îo - Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing schematically and partially a launcher according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of the launcher of Figure 3;

- Figures 5A and 5B are schematic views in longitudinal section of the launcher of Figure 3 respectively before and after assembly of the closure cover on the coach by a spinning process;

- Figure 6 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of a launcher according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The figures are presented only as an indication and in no way limit the invention.

For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of a starter launcher 3 according to the invention will now be described, with reference to FIG. 3. The launcher 3 comprises a pinion (not shown) intended to mesh with a ring gear of a motor vehicle heat engine. The launcher 3 also comprises an output shaft 5 extending along a longitudinal axis X, a driver 6 'and a free wheel 7. The free wheel 7 is for example a free wheel with rollers 71. The pinion is mounted on the output shaft 5, in front of the launcher 3.

By "the front of the launcher" is meant the end of the launcher intended to be placed closest to the ring gear of the heat engine.

Conversely, by "the rear of the launcher" should be understood the end of the launcher intended to be disposed farthest from the ring gear of the heat engine.

In this first embodiment, the freewheel 7 is disposed between the output shaft 5 and the driver 6 ’. The output shaft 5 forms an internal track of the freewheel 7. The driver 6 'is extended axially towards the front of the launcher 3 by a bushing 61, also called the drive track, configured internally to form an external track of the free wheel 7 and housing springs 72 acting in a known manner on the rollers 71. The internal track and the external track of the free wheel 7 are rolling surfaces for the rollers 71.

îo Preferably, the freewheel 7 is lubricated, for example with grease, in order to improve the rolling of the rollers 71.

The launcher 3 includes a closing cover 8 making it possible to maintain the rollers 71, the springs 72 and possibly the lubricating grease inside the driver 6 ’. In this embodiment, the closure cover 8 is in the form of a disc 81 arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis X. On its periphery, the disc 81 is extended axially towards the rear of the launcher 3 by a rim 82 of annular shape. The rim 82 extends towards the rear of the launcher in a substantially concentric manner around the longitudinal axis X. An opening 83 is provided in the center of the disc 81 of the closure cover 8 to allow the passage of the output shaft 5 .

Preferably, the launcher 3 comprises a sheet 9 arranged between the closure cover 8 and the driver 6 ’. For example, the sheet 9 is in the form of a disc at the center of which an opening 93 is arranged to allow the passage of the output shaft 5. The sheet 9 provides sealing at the 6 'coach.

The socket 61 has a front face F1 oriented towards the front of the launcher, and a rear face F2 oriented towards the rear of the launcher. The disk 81 of the closing cover 8 at least partially covers the front face F1 of the sleeve 61.

The sleeve 61 has a peripheral surface 62 extending axially 30 between its front face F1 and its rear face F2.

As best seen in Figure 4, a shoulder 66 is arranged on the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61 so that the peripheral surface 62 is separated into a front part 62a and a rear part 62b. The shoulder 66 forms a means for holding the closure cover 8 assembled on the driver 6 ’. Thus, the closure cover 8 is held in position when the driver 6 ’is in motion.

The shoulder 66 is sufficient to retain the closing cover 8 because the driver 6 ’is driven in a rotational movement. The closing cover 8 is therefore not subjected to axial forces.

The 6 ’trainer is made from a cylindrical piece which is repeatedly struck by a machine tool until it obtains the shape of the 6’ trainer. The shoulder 66 is also obtained by striking using the same machine. It is therefore not necessary to install the driver 6 ’on another machine to form the shoulder 66, which saves time during production.

In this embodiment, the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61 is of generally cylindrical shape. One end of the peripheral surface 62 may be chamfered or rounded at the rear face F2 of the sleeve 61. The peripheral surface 62 has continuously a cross section of circular shape. The cross section of the front part 62a of the peripheral surface 62 has a diameter d1 greater than the diameter d2 of the cross section of the rear part 62b of the peripheral surface 62.

The shoulder 66 has a height h equal to half the difference between the diameters d1, d2 of the cross sections of the peripheral surface 62 taken at the level of the shoulder 66. Preferably, the height h of the shoulder 66 is greater than 0.2 mm. Thus, good retention of the closure cover 8 is ensured without however affecting the assembly of the closure cover 8 on the driver 6 ’. For example, the height h of the shoulder 66 is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

In the direction of the longitudinal axis X, the peripheral surface 62 of the driver 6 'has a total length L measured between the front face F1 and the rear face F2 of the sleeve 61. Advantageously, the front part 62a of the surface peripheral 62 has a length 11 greater than 10% of the total length L of the peripheral surface 62. Thus, the closure cover 8 can be correctly adjusted on the driver 6 '. In fact, the front part 62a of the peripheral surface 62 forms a centering surface for the closure cover 8 during its assembly.

Preferably, the length 11 of the front part 62a of the peripheral surface is less than 70%, in particular less than 50%, of the total length L of the peripheral surface 62. In fact, the longer the length 11 up to the shoulder 66 is long, the higher the forces applied to the closure cover 8 to deform it. Consequently, if the length 11 up to the shoulder 66 is too large, the closure cover 8 may therefore be damaged or torn. In addition, if the force is too great, the tool used for assembly may also be damaged.

Even more preferably, the length 11 of the front part 62a of the peripheral surface 62 is substantially equal to one third of the total length L of the peripheral surface. This value is arbitrary but constitutes a good compromise between the need to provide a sufficient centering surface for the assembly of the closure cover 8 and the need to moderate the forces applied to the closure cover 8.

The closure cover 8 is assembled on the driver 6 ’by a spinning process as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The closure cover 8 is initially positioned on the driver 6 'so that the disc 81 of the closure cover 8 covers the front face F1 of the sleeve 61 formed by the driver 6', the flange 82 of the cover closure 8 being placed opposite the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61. The spinning process is carried out by means of a tool 20, such as a die, provided with an opening 21 of shape complementary to that of the cross section of the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61.

In this embodiment, the opening 21 of the tool 20 is circular. The opening

21 circular has a diameter D less than the outer diameter d3 of the flange 82 of the closure cover 8 and greater than the diameter d1 of the front part 62a of the sleeve 61 of the driver 6 ’. Thus, after the launcher 3 has passed through the circular opening 21, the flange 82 of the closure cover 8 is plastically deformed so as to conform to the peripheral surface 62 of the sleeve 61, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The rim 82 of the closure cover 8 then forms a shape complementary to that of the shoulder 66. These two forms cooperate to keep the closure cover 8 in position when the driver 6 ′ is in rotation.

Preferably, the flange 82 of the closure cover 8 has a thickness of less than 1 mm before the spinning step. Thus, the deformation of the rim 82 of the closure cover 8 is facilitated.

Preferably, the closure cover 8 is made of a more ductile material than the material used to manufacture the driver 6 ’. Thus, the deformation of the rim 82 of the closure cover 8 is favored while the driver 6 ’is preserved from deformations. For example, the cover 8 and the driver 6 ’are both made of metal. Still for example, the closure cover 8 is made of a more ductile metal than the metal used to manufacture the driver 6 ’.

Preferably, the driver 6 'is made of steel compatible with a cold stamping process and the closure cover 8 is made of steel compatible with a stamping process. For example, the driver 6' is made of case-hardened steel and the closure cover 8 is made of steel having a low carbon content, known as “low carbon steel”.

The closure cover 8 has a complementary shoulder 85 of the shoulder 66 of the sleeve, the two shoulders cooperating together to maintain the closure cover8.

The rim 82 comprises a front part 82a extending between the disc 81 and the shoulder 85 of said cover and a rear part 82b extending between the shoulder 85 of said cover and a free end 87 of said cover. The front part 82a has a radial thickness less than a radial thickness of the rear part 82b.

In the embodiment described above, the launcher 3 has a configuration in which the free wheel 7 is separated from the pinion, the driver 6 ’being intended to be placed in a reduction stage of a starter. Coach 6 is stationary in translation. Such a configuration is found, for example, in the starter 1 of the prior art illustrated in FIG. 1. In this configuration, the fork 13 moves only the pinion 4.

However, the present invention is not limited to this type of launcher and is applicable to any type of configuration. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a starter launcher 30 according to the invention. As in the first embodiment, the launcher 30 includes an output shaft 5 extending along a longitudinal axis X, a pinion 4 mounted on the output shaft 5, a driver 6 ', a free wheel 7 such that a freewheel with rollers 71, a closing cover 8 covering the driver 6 ', and a sheet metal 9 disposed between the closing cover 8 and the driver 6'. The closing cover 8 is held on the driver 6 ’by means of a shoulder

66.

In this second embodiment, the freewheel 7 is disposed between the pinion 4 and the driver 6 'in a known manner. Indeed, the external track of the free wheel 7 is also formed by the internal wall of the sleeve 61 of the coach but the internal track of the free wheel 7 is formed by a sleeve which extends the pinion 4 ίο backwards of the starter 30. The driver 6 'is configured to be actuated by the fork which bears on the rear face F2 of the socket 61. The driver 6' is therefore mounted movable in translation on the output shaft 5 The fork moves, towards the ring gear of the heat engine, both the driver 6 'and the pinion 4.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the figures and variants could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

Claims 1. Starter launcher (3, 30) comprising a driver (6 ’) and a closing cover (8) assembled on the driver, the driver comprising a socket (61) 5 extending along a longitudinal axis (X), the sleeve having a peripheral surface (62), the closure cover (8) covering part of the peripheral surface (62) of the sleeve, the launcher being characterized in that the driver comprises a shoulder (66) arranged on the part of the peripheral surface of the sleeve covered by the closure cover, the shoulder (66) forming a portion io for holding the closure cover (8) on the driver (6 '). 2. Launcher (3, 30) according to claim 1 characterized in that the sleeve (61) has a front face (F1), at a first axial end, at least partially covered by the closure cover (8) and a face rear (F2) 15 opposite the front face, the peripheral surface (62) of the sleeve being of generally cylindrical shape, the peripheral surface comprising a front part (62a) extending between the front face (F1) of the sleeve and the shoulder ( 66), and a rear part (62b) extending between the shoulder and the rear face (F2) of the sleeve, the front part (62a) of the peripheral surface having a greater diameter (d1) 20 to the diameter (d2) of the rear part (62b) of the peripheral surface. 3. Launcher (3, 30) according to claim 2 characterized in that the shoulder (66) has a height (h) equal to half the difference between the diameter (d1) of the front part (62a) of the peripheral surface (62) and the diameter (d2) of the 25 rear part (62b) of the peripheral surface, the height of the shoulder being greater than 0.2 mm. 4. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the peripheral surface (62) of the sleeve (61) has a total length 30 (L) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), the front part (62a) of the peripheral surface extending over a length (11) greater than 10% of the total length of the peripheral surface. 5. Launcher (3, 30) according to claim 4 characterized in that the length (11) of the front part (62a) of the peripheral surface (62) is less than 70% of the total length (L) of the surface peripheral. 5 6. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 4 to 5 characterized in that the length (11) of the front part (62a) of the peripheral surface (62) is substantially equal to one third of the length total (L) of the peripheral surface. 7. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized îo in that the closure cover (8) has a shoulder (85) complementary to the shoulder (66) of the sleeve (61 ), the two shoulders (66, 85) cooperating together to maintain the closure cover (8). 8. Launcher (3, 30) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover of Closure comprises a disc (81) arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) and a flange (82) extending from the disc on the peripheral surface (62) of the sleeve, the flange (82) comprising a front part (82a) extending between the disc (81) and the shoulder (85) of said cover, and a rear part (82b) extending between said shoulder (85) and a free end (87) of the cover , Said front portion (82a) having a radial thickness less than a radial thickness of said rear portion (82b) of the flange. 9. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the closure cover (8) is formed from a more ductile material than the 25 coach material (6 ’). 10. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the driver (6 ') is made of case-hardened steel and the closing cover (8) is made of steel having a low carbon content . 11. Launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it further comprises a sheet (9) disposed between the closure cover (8) and the driver (6 ' ). 12. Motor vehicle starter comprising a launcher (3, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 1/4 prior art 2/4