JP2002257011A - Starting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain desired abrasion reducing effect without being affected by environment resistance, by restraining the rotation of a plunger when a movement in an axial direction of the plunger is restricted by a plunger restricting member. SOLUTION: In a magnet switch 1, when a pinion gear is disengaged from a ring gear by urging force of a return spring 5 and an insulative brush 27 and a taper part 45 of a switch cover 9 are brought into contact with each other, an end of a terminal part 34 of a drive spring 7 abuts on a tip of a projection 47 of a bottom wall part 46 of the switch cover 9 or a bottom wall surface. When the magnet switch 1 receives an engine vibration for example, the plunger 4 is rotated by its resonance phenomena, whereby the terminal part 34 of the drive spring 7 is engaged to the projection 41 of the bottom wall part 46 of the switch cover 9. Accordingly, the plunger 4 is prevented from further rotating.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a starting device for a vehicle used as a starter for starting an engine mounted on a vehicle, and a pinion gear is directed toward a ring gear of the engine against a biasing force of a return spring. The present invention relates to a starter magnet switch that extrudes and energizes a starter motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a starting device for a vehicle for starting an engine mounted on a vehicle (a deceleration type starter for a vehicle).
Is, as shown in FIG. 8, a pinion gear 101 provided to be freely disengageable from a ring gear (not shown) of the engine;
A starter motor 102 that rotationally drives the pinion gear 101, a return spring 103 that urges the pinion gear 101 to the side that separates from the ring gear, and a pinion gear 1 that opposes the urging force of the return spring 103.
01 is pushed out toward the ring gear side to energize the starter motor 102.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the pinion gear 101 is disengaged from the ring gear by the urging force of the return spring 103, the magnet switch 104 also moves the plunger 111 itself toward the rear end in the axial direction. (The opposite side) and move to the center case 11
The insulating bush 114 held on the outer periphery of the plunger 111 abuts on the inner wall surface of the frusto-conical cylindrical portion (tapered portion) of the switch cover 113 attached to the rear end of the switch cover 113.
Excessive axial movement of the plunger 111 is restricted.

In such a magnet switch 104, when the magnet switch 104 receives, for example, engine vibration after the pinion gear 101 is disengaged from the ring gear by the urging force of the return spring 103, the plunger 111 rotates due to the resonance phenomenon. As a result, a problem arises in that a contact portion between the tapered portion of the switch cover 113 and the insulating bush 114 is worn. When the contact portion between the tapered portion of the switch cover 113 and the insulating bush 114 wears, the movable contact 115 held on the outer periphery of the plunger 111 and the center case 112
If the abrasion powder adheres to the fixed contact 116 fixed to the movable contact 115, there is a possibility that a contact failure between the movable contact 115 and the fixed contact 116 may occur.

Therefore, in order to reduce wear of the contact portion between the tapered portion of the switch cover 113 and the insulating bush 114, a circumferential groove is formed in the insulating bush held on the outer periphery of the plunger, and the circumferential groove is formed. A magnet switch for a starter configured to fit a ring-shaped elastic body such as an O-ring or a square packing into a groove (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-14 / 1984)
3233) has been proposed. This starter magnet switch has an insulating property by forming a slight gap between the tapered portion of the switch cover and the insulating bush by the ring-shaped elastic body when the pinion gear separates from the ring gear by the biasing force of the return spring. The wear of the contact portion between the conductive bush and the tapered portion of the switch cover is reduced.

[0006]

However, in the conventional starter magnet switch, a ring-shaped elastic body is used to form a slight gap between the tapered portion of the switch cover and the insulating bush. However, since it is necessary to add a ring-shaped elastic body to a normal magnet switch component, there is a problem that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps increase, resulting in an increase in cost. Further, the ring-shaped elastic body is unstable with respect to environmental resistance to heat, oil, chemicals, and the like, and may not be able to obtain the desired wear reduction effect.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the problem that when the magnet switch is subjected to vibration, the plunger rotates due to the resonance phenomenon, and the contact between the tapered portion of the switch cover and the insulating bush is worn. In addition, when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger restricting member, by suppressing the rotation of the plunger, the desired wear reduction effect can be obtained without being affected by the environmental resistance. The purpose is to do. It is another object of the present invention to achieve a desired wear reduction effect without increasing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps, thereby achieving cost reduction.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger regulating member by the magnet switch of the starting device for a vehicle, the drive spring or the contact. By providing the plunger rotation stopping means for locking the end of at least one of the springs, when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger restricting member, the plunger becomes difficult to rotate. The desired wear reduction effect can be obtained without being affected by the environmental resistance. Further, the desired wear reduction effect can be obtained without increasing the number of parts or the number of assembling steps, thereby reducing costs.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when the insulating bush fixed to the outer periphery of the plunger is in contact with the bottomed cylindrical switch cover, a drive spring or a contact spring is provided. By engaging the terminal portion of at least one of the springs with the convex portion or the concave portion provided on the switch cover, even if the magnet switch receives, for example, engine vibration, it becomes difficult for the plunger to rotate. As a result, the connection between the insulating bush and the switch cover is less likely to be worn, and a desired wear reduction effect can be obtained without being affected by environmental resistance. Further, the desired wear reduction effect can be obtained without increasing the number of parts or the number of assembling steps, thereby reducing costs.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the plunger detent means is provided so as to close the axial hole of the plunger, and fixes the end of at least one of the drive spring and the contact spring. The fixing member is characterized in that Thus, even if the magnet switch receives, for example, engine vibration, the rotation of the plunger can be stopped, so that wear does not occur. Therefore, the set load of the contact spring does not change, and poor contact between the movable contact and the fixed contact can be prevented.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a magnet switch.

A starting device (starter) for a vehicle according to the present embodiment.
Has a well-known basic structure, including a pinion shaft (not shown), a starter motor (not shown) for driving the rotation of the pinion shaft, and a starter motor for extruding the pinion shaft toward a ring gear. And a starter magnet switch (hereinafter, referred to as a magnet switch) 1 for energizing. A pinion gear (not shown) is provided at the tip of the pinion shaft of the starter so as to be detachable from the ring gear of the engine. The starter motor has a well-known structure that generates a torque for rotating the pinion gear when energized, and includes an armature on which a field coil and an armature coil are mounted.

The magnet switch 1 generates a magnetomotive force when energized, a coil housing (end plate) 3 magnetized by the magnetomotive force of the magnet coil 2, and is attracted by the magnetomotive force of the magnet coil 2. Plunger 4, return spring 5 for urging the pinion shaft in the direction in which the pinion gear is disengaged from the ring gear, contact spring 6 held on the outer periphery of plunger 4, drive spring 7 housed inside plunger 3, and switch components thereof And a center case (frame) 8 for accommodating the same.

The magnet coil 2 includes a pull-in coil 11 wound with a thick wire and a holding coil 12 wound with a thin wire and having a lower magnetomotive force than the pull-in coil 11.
And wound around a coil bobbin 13 fitted around the plunger 4 and the plunger shaft 24. The coil housing 3 is made of a magnetic material, and has a cylindrical wall portion fitted to the inner peripheral wall of the center case 8 by press molding, and an annular member for locking the rear end of the coil bobbin 13 via an elastic member (rubber packing) 14. It is formed with a wall. A ground plate 15 made of a magnetic material that forms a magnetic circuit together with the coil housing 3 is mounted between the front end of the coil bobbin 13 and the center case 8.

The plunger 4 is arranged on the same axis as the pinion gear, and pushes the pinion gear toward the ring gear of the engine against the urging force of the return spring 5. The plunger 4 has an axial hole 21 for housing and holding the drive spring 7 therein. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a washer 22 is joined to the rear end of the plunger 4 using welding means such as welding so as to close the rear end of the axial hole 21. And, the plunger 4 includes a plunger shaft 24 and a movable contact 25.
And

The plunger shaft 24 is disposed on the same axis as the pinion gear, and has a return spring 5 mounted on the outer periphery. The tip of the plunger shaft 24 is connected via a steel ball (not shown) to a pinion shaft having a pinion gear formed at the tip. The rear end of the plunger shaft 24, that is, the flange 26 is slidably fitted in the axial hole 21 and held by the plunger 4. An insulating bush 27 is mounted on the outer periphery of the plunger 4.

The movable contact 25 is sandwiched between an insulating bush 27 and an insulating washer 23 so that the plunger 4
When the plunger 4 moves forward in the axial direction, that is, in the direction in which the pinion gear is pushed out, the plunger 4 contacts the fixed contact 30 connected to the terminal bolt 28 and the nut 29. The fixed contact 30 is in contact with the coil housing (end plate) 3 via an insulating washer 31 and has insulating bushes 32, 33.
And is fixed to the center case 8 via the. When the movable contact 25 and the fixed contact 30 come into contact with each other, the battery and the starter motor are electrically connected.

The return spring 5 has a front end held by a pinion shaft via a steel ball, and a rear end held by a concave portion formed on the front end surface of the plunger 4. The return spring 5 urges the pinion gear toward the side where the pinion gear is separated from the ring gear, thereby forming the plunger 4.
An urging force (spring force) acts to return the shaft from the front position in the axial direction (the position where the pinion gear is pushed out) to the rear position in the axial direction (the position where the pinion gear is released). Further, the contact spring 6 has a tip held by an insulating bush 27,
The rear end is held on the outer peripheral portion of the washer 22. The contact spring 6 is a contact pressure spring in which an urging force (spring force) for applying a contact pressure to the movable contact 25 to the fixed contact 30 fixed to the center case 8 acts.

The drive spring 7 has an end in the axial hole 21 of the plunger 4, the tip of which is the plunger shaft 2.
4 and is held by the washer 22 at the rear end. The drive spring 7 exerts a pushing force (spring force) so as to press the pinion gear toward the ring gear 8 via the plunger 4 and the plunger shaft 24. Here, the drive spring 7 of this embodiment is used.
The terminal portion 34 on the rear end side extends rearward through the through hole 22a formed in the washer 22, as shown in FIGS.

The center case 8 is made of aluminum die-cast, and has a front cover (not shown).
And the switch cover 9. The switch cover 9 is connected to the rear end of the center case 8 via a rubber seal 41 for sealing. The switch cover 9 is formed into a predetermined cylindrical shape with a bottom by pressing an iron plate, and the flange portion 4 is fixed to the rear end of the center case 8 by using a fastening bolt 42 or the like.
A frustoconical cylindrical portion (tapered portion) 45 is provided between 3 and the cylindrical side wall portion 44.

The taper portion 45 of the switch cover 9 moves excessively rearward in the axial direction of the plunger 4 when the pinion gear separates from the ring gear due to the urging force of the return spring 5 and comes into contact with the insulating bush 27. A plunger regulating member for regulating the pressure. The terminal wall 3 of the drive spring 7 is provided on the bottom wall of the bottom wall 46 of the switch cover 9 as shown in FIGS.
A convex portion (corresponding to a plunger rotation stopping means of the present invention) 47 for locking the plunger 4 and locking the plunger 4 is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the protruding portion 47 is provided so as to protrude substantially in a character shape toward the inside of the switch cover 9.

[Operation of the First Embodiment] Next, the operation of the magnet switch 1 of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

When an operation voltage is applied to the magnet coil 2 by turning on a starter switch (not shown), a magnetomotive force is generated in the magnet coil 2, and the plunger 4 causes the plunger 4 to move toward the pinion gear by the magnetomotive force of the magnet coil 2. Is sucked. At this time, when the plunger 4 is sucked by the plunger stroke, that is, by the gap between the ring gear and the pinion gear, the pinion gear comes into contact with the ring gear. Then, the pinion spring (not shown) is bent by the spring force of the drive spring 7, and the plunger 4 moves toward the pinion gear by the plunger stroke.

Further, when the plunger 4 is sucked, the drive spring 7 is largely bent, the movable contact 25 comes into contact with the fixed contact 30, and the contact spring 6 starts to operate. Subsequently, when the plunger 4 moves until the contact spring 6 bends, the magnet coil 2
, The suction of the plunger 4 is completed. On the other hand, when the movable contact 25 contacts the fixed contact 30, the battery and the starter motor are electrically connected, so that the starter motor starts rotating. Then, the rotational force of the starter motor is transmitted to the pinion gear via the pinion shaft, and the pinion gear starts rotating with the pinion gear in contact with the ring gear. Then, the engine starts because the pinion gear meshes with the ring gear.

[Characteristics of the First Embodiment] As described above, the magnet switch 1 of the present embodiment includes the return spring 5
When the pinion gear is disengaged from the ring gear (opened) by the urging force of the above, and the plunger 4 is returned to the rear side in the axial direction (opposite to the ring gear), the insulating bush 27 fixed to the outer periphery of the plunger 4 The taper portion 45 of the switch cover 9 comes into contact with the switch cover 9 and further movement of the plunger 4 is restricted. At this time, the tip of the terminal portion 34 of the drive spring 7 (the portion extending rearward through the through hole 22 a of the washer 22) is also the protruding end or bottom of the convex portion 47 of the bottom wall portion 46 of the switch cover 9. Contact the wall.

When the magnet switch 1 receives, for example, engine vibration and the plunger 4 rotates due to the resonance phenomenon, the terminal 34 of the drive spring 7 is formed on the bottom wall of the bottom wall 46 of the switch cover 9. The engagement with the one-letter convex portion 47 prevents the plunger 4 from further rotating. Therefore, the connecting portion between the insulating bush 27 and the tapered portion 45 of the switch cover 9 is less likely to be worn, and a desired wear reducing effect can be obtained without being affected by environmental resistance.

Further, it is possible to reduce costs by obtaining a desired wear reduction effect without adding a new part, that is, without increasing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps. Therefore, the magnet switch 1 having excellent vibration resistance can be provided. When the plunger 4 is separated from the suction and returned by using the drive spring 7 to reduce the wear of the connecting portion between the insulating bush 27 and the tapered portion 45 of the switch cover 9, the drive is performed. The impact when the terminal portion 34 of the spring 7 collides with the protruding end of the convex portion 47 of the switch cover 9 or the bottom wall surface of the bottom wall portion 46 can also be absorbed.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which a concave portion is provided on a bottom wall portion of a switch cover of a magnet switch for a starter.

The bottom wall 46 of the switch cover 9 of the present embodiment.
A concave portion (corresponding to the plunger rotation stopping means of the present invention) 49 for locking the terminal portion 34 of the drive spring 7 to prevent the plunger 4 from rotating is formed on the bottom wall surface of the drive spring 7. The concave portion 49 is provided so as to project in a substantially single character shape toward the outside of the switch cover 9. In this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

Third Embodiment FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which a convex portion is provided on a bottom wall portion of a switch cover of a starter magnet switch. .

The terminal portion 51 on the rear end side of the contact spring 6 of this embodiment extends through the through hole 52 of the washer 22 and extends rearward. And the switch cover 9
On the bottom wall surface of the bottom wall portion 46, a convex portion (corresponding to a plunger rotation stopping means of the present invention) 53 for locking the terminal portion 51 of the contact spring 6 to prevent the plunger 4 from rotating is formed. Have been. The convex portion 53 is provided so as to protrude substantially in a character shape toward the inside of the switch cover 9.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which a convex portion is provided on a side wall of a switch cover of a starter magnet switch.

The terminal portion 54 on the rear end side of the contact spring 6 of the present embodiment is extended radially outward. On the inner wall surface of the side wall portion 44 of the switch cover 9, a convex portion (which corresponds to a plunger rotation stopping means of the present invention) for locking the terminal portion 54 of the contact spring 6 to prevent the plunger 4 from rotating. ) 55 are formed. The convex portion 55 is provided so as to protrude substantially in a single character shape toward the inside of the switch cover 9.

[Modification] In this embodiment, at least one of the contact spring 6 and the drive spring 7 is provided with a convex portion 47, 53, 55 or a concave portion 49 for locking the terminal portion 34, 51, 54 of the spring. Of the contact spring 6 is provided.
Alternatively, the end of at least one of the drive springs 7 may be fixed to the washer 22 or the rear end of the plunger 4 by means such as welding.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a magnet switch (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a plunger, a drive spring, and a washer (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a bottom wall portion of a switch cover and a terminal portion of a drive spring (first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which a convex portion is provided on a bottom wall portion of the switch cover (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example in which a concave portion is provided on the bottom wall of the switch cover (second embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example in which a convex portion is provided on a bottom wall portion of a switch cover (third embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an example in which a convex portion is provided on a side wall portion of a switch cover (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a magnet switch of a deceleration starter for a vehicle (prior art).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnet switch 2 Magnet coil 4 Plunger 5 Return spring 6 Contact spring 7 Drive spring 8 Center case (frame) 9 Switch cover (Plunger regulating member) 22 Washer 22a Through hole 34 Terminal part of drive spring 44 Side wall part 46 Bottom wall part 47 Convex part (plunger detent means) 49 Depressed part (plunger detent means) 51 Contact spring terminal part 52 Through hole 53 Convex part (plunger detent means) 54 Contact spring terminal part 55 Convex part (plunger detent) Stop means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] A pinion gear provided to be removably engageable with a ring gear of an engine; a starter motor for driving the pinion gear to rotate; a return spring for urging the pinion gear to be disengaged from the ring gear; A magnet switch that pushes the pinion gear toward the ring gear side against the urging force and energizes the starter motor, wherein the magnet switch opposes the urging force of the return spring. A plunger for pushing out the pinion gear toward the ring gear side of the engine; a movable contact provided on the outer periphery of the plunger so as to be able to contact and separate from a fixed contact; and when the pinion gear is detached from the ring gear by the urging force of the return spring. To A plunger regulating member that regulates excessive movement of the plunger in the axial direction; a drive spring that is held inside the plunger and applies a biasing force to the pinion gear toward the ring gear; and a drive spring that is held on the outer periphery of the plunger. A contact spring for applying a contact pressure to the fixed contact to the movable contact; and at least one of the drive spring and the contact spring when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger regulating member. And a plunger detent means for locking a terminal portion of the spring. 2. The starting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plunger restricting member is provided when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger restricting member.
A bottomed tubular switch cover in contact with an insulating bush fixed to the outer periphery of the plunger, wherein the plunger rotation stopping means is provided on the switch cover, and a terminal portion of the at least one spring is engaged. A starting device for a vehicle, wherein the starting device is a convex portion. 3. The starting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plunger restricting member is configured to move when the plunger is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the plunger restricting member.
A bottomed tubular switch cover in contact with an insulating bush fixed to the outer periphery of the plunger, wherein the plunger rotation stopping means is provided on the switch cover, and a terminal portion of the at least one spring is engaged. A starting device for a vehicle, characterized in that the starting device is a concave portion. 4. The starting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plunger rotation stopping means is provided so as to close an axial hole of the plunger, and fixes a terminal portion of the at least one spring. A starting device for a vehicle, which is a member.