GB2184787A

GB2184787A - Starter device for i.c. engines

Info

Publication number: GB2184787A
Application number: GB08630576A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Teresio Donghi
Original assignee: Magneti Marelli SpA
Current assignee: Marelli Europe SpA
Priority date: 1985-12-27
Filing date: 1986-12-22
Publication date: 1987-07-01
Also published as: TR25172A; FR2595414B3; IN167459B; AR240081A1; GB2184787B; IT8554288V0; FR2595414A3; DE8634354U1; IT206872Z2; GB8630576D0

Abstract

A starter device comprises an electric motor 2 the shaft 2a of which is coupled to a drive shaft 4 carrying a pinion A through a reduction unit 5, e.g. an epicyclic reduction unit, which is preassembled in a housing 10, 11 (Fig. 3) having a first inlet aperture 10a for insertion of one end of the drive shaft 4 and a second inlet aperture 11a for insertion of one end of the shaft 2a of the electric motor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Starter Device for Internal Combustion Engines for Motor Vehicles The present invention relates to a starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, of the type comprising: a support casing in which are mounted a rotary drive shaft carrying a pinion adapted to engage corresponding teeth of a rotatable member of the internal combustion engine, and an electric motor the shaft whereof is coupled to the drive shaft through a reduction unit, in particular an epicyclic reduction unit.

The object of the present invention is to provide a starter device of this type which is quick and easy to assemble, can be replaced rapidly by a substitute device and which also gives better protection and more effective lubrication to the gears of the reduction unit.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a starter device of the type specified above, characterised in that the reduction unit is housed in a preassembled housing having a first aperture for the insertion of one end of the drive shaft and a second apertureforthe insertion of one end of the shaft of the electric motor.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, which reference to the appended drawings, given purely by way of nonlimiting example, in which: Figure lisa partially sectioned side view of a starter device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a reduction unit according to the invention, and Figure 3 is a sectioned side view showing the reduction unit of Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 1, a starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles includes a support casing 1 in which an electric drive motor 2 and an electromagnet 3 are mounted in a known arrangement. The electric motor 2 has a shaft 2a coupled by an epicyclic reduction unit 5 to a drive shaft 4 supported in the casing 1. A pinion A is translatable on the shaft 4 and can engage corresponding toothing of the flywheel B of an internal combustion engine as a result of the energisation of the electromagnet 3.

As is seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the reduction unit 5 is of the epicyclic type and comprises a fixed unit 6, an epicyclic unit, and includes a fixed unit 6, a sun gear 7, and a spider 8 which carries three planet or satellite gears 9. The spider and the sun gear 7 are coaxial and have aligned central apertures 8a and 7a respectively with splined walls in which the corresponding splined ends of the drive shaft 4 and of the shaft 2a of the electric motor 2 engage with a prismatic coupling.

Conveniently, according to the invention, the reduction unit 5 is preassembled in a housing 10 of substantially cup-shape having a closing cover 11.

The housing 10 and the cover 11 are joined together for example by rivets 12 (Figure 3). Facing the aperture 8a of the spider 8, the housing 10 has an aperture 1 0a for the insertion of the drive shaft 4.

Similarly, the cover 11 has an aperture 1 1a facing the aperture 7a of the sun gear 7, and provided with a roller bearing 13 for the insertion of the output end 2a of the shaft of the electric motor 2.

The reduction unit shown in Figures 2 and 3 is conveniently made as a preassembled component prior to the assembly of the starter device in its entirety. The assembly of the starter device is thus extremely simple.

To advantage, the casing 1 includes a container 1a and a closure member 1 b. Axial connection and positioning members 14, of which there are for example two, are conveniently fixed in the container la.

During assembly, after the drive shaft 4, the pinion A and the other mechanical members disposed around the shaft have been introduced, the preassembled reduction unit 5 is introduced into the container la and is guided and accurately positioned by means of the insertion of the connection members 14 in corresponding apertures 15 in the body 10 and in the cover 11 of this reduction unit (Figure 2). The electric motor 2 is then inserted in the container 1 a and its stator part is also provided with apertures in which the connection and positioning members 14 engage. The brush holders are then assembled in known manner and the closure member nuts 17 are engaged on the corresponding threaded ends of the connection members 14.

The assembly of the starter device may thus be carried out very quickly and accurately.

If needed, the reduction unit 5 can be repiaced by corresponding substitute reduction units equally quickly and simply.

Naturally, the invention extends to all embodiments which achieve equal utility by using the same innovative concept.

1. Starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, comprising: a support casing in which are mounted a drive shaft carrying a pinion adapted to engine corresponding teeth of a rotatable member of the internal combustion engine, and an electric motor the shaft whereof is coupled to the drive shaft through a reduction unit, in particular an epicyclic reduction unit, characterised in that the reduction unit is preassembled in a housing having a first inlet aperture for insertion of one end of the drive shaft and a second inlet aperture for the insertion of one end of the shaft of the electric motor.

2. Starter device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the casing is formed by at least two parts joined and clamped together by means of a plurality of axial connecting members and in that the housing of the reduction unit has a corresponding plurality of apertures through which the connection members extend in the assembled condition clamping it against rotation.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Starter Device for Internal Combustion Engines for Motor Vehicles The present invention relates to a starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, of the type comprising: a support casing in which are mounted a rotary drive shaft carrying a pinion adapted to engage corresponding teeth of a rotatable member of the internal combustion engine, and an electric motor the shaft whereof is coupled to the drive shaft through a reduction unit, in particular an epicyclic reduction unit. The object of the present invention is to provide a starter device of this type which is quick and easy to assemble, can be replaced rapidly by a substitute device and which also gives better protection and more effective lubrication to the gears of the reduction unit. This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a starter device of the type specified above, characterised in that the reduction unit is housed in a preassembled housing having a first aperture for the insertion of one end of the drive shaft and a second apertureforthe insertion of one end of the shaft of the electric motor. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, which reference to the appended drawings, given purely by way of nonlimiting example, in which: Figure lisa partially sectioned side view of a starter device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a reduction unit according to the invention, and Figure 3 is a sectioned side view showing the reduction unit of Figure 2. With reference to Figure 1, a starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles includes a support casing 1 in which an electric drive motor 2 and an electromagnet 3 are mounted in a known arrangement. The electric motor 2 has a shaft 2a coupled by an epicyclic reduction unit 5 to a drive shaft 4 supported in the casing 1. A pinion A is translatable on the shaft 4 and can engage corresponding toothing of the flywheel B of an internal combustion engine as a result of the energisation of the electromagnet 3. As is seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the reduction unit 5 is of the epicyclic type and comprises a fixed unit 6, an epicyclic unit, and includes a fixed unit 6, a sun gear 7, and a spider 8 which carries three planet or satellite gears 9. The spider and the sun gear 7 are coaxial and have aligned central apertures 8a and 7a respectively with splined walls in which the corresponding splined ends of the drive shaft 4 and of the shaft 2a of the electric motor 2 engage with a prismatic coupling. Conveniently, according to the invention, the reduction unit 5 is preassembled in a housing 10 of substantially cup-shape having a closing cover 11. The housing 10 and the cover 11 are joined together for example by rivets 12 (Figure 3). Facing the aperture 8a of the spider 8, the housing 10 has an aperture 1 0a for the insertion of the drive shaft 4. Similarly, the cover 11 has an aperture 1 1a facing the aperture 7a of the sun gear 7, and provided with a roller bearing 13 for the insertion of the output end 2a of the shaft of the electric motor 2. The reduction unit shown in Figures 2 and 3 is conveniently made as a preassembled component prior to the assembly of the starter device in its entirety. The assembly of the starter device is thus extremely simple. To advantage, the casing 1 includes a container 1a and a closure member 1 b. Axial connection and positioning members 14, of which there are for example two, are conveniently fixed in the container la. During assembly, after the drive shaft 4, the pinion A and the other mechanical members disposed around the shaft have been introduced, the preassembled reduction unit 5 is introduced into the container la and is guided and accurately positioned by means of the insertion of the connection members 14 in corresponding apertures 15 in the body 10 and in the cover 11 of this reduction unit (Figure 2). The electric motor 2 is then inserted in the container 1 a and its stator part is also provided with apertures in which the connection and positioning members 14 engage. The brush holders are then assembled in known manner and the closure member nuts 17 are engaged on the corresponding threaded ends of the connection members 14. The assembly of the starter device may thus be carried out very quickly and accurately. If needed, the reduction unit 5 can be repiaced by corresponding substitute reduction units equally quickly and simply. Naturally, the invention extends to all embodiments which achieve equal utility by using the same innovative concept. CLAIMS

3. Starter device for an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes specified.