JP3859783B2 - Starter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a starter for starting an engine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been a demand for downsizing the starter as the engine room becomes overcrowded due to an increase in auxiliary machinery and the like. In view of this, a conventional technique relating to the reduction in size and weight of the starter is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-93607.
This starter has a pinion rotation restricting member that restricts the rotation of the pinion that engages with the helical spline on the output shaft, and the pinion is restricted by the pinion rotation restricting member to give a relative rotation difference to the output shaft. This is a method of moving forward. According to this method, the mass moved by the electromagnetic switch can be reduced compared to a starter that pushes the pinion with the actuation force (suction force) of the electromagnetic switch in conjunction with the one-way clutch, so the electromagnetic switch can be downsized. Can be planned.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the starter of the above-described type that restricts the rotation of the pinion and advances the pinion reaches the end surface of the ring gear for some reason, but fails to mesh with the ring gear.For example, immediately after the starter is started, the pinion When restarting during inertial rotation, the pinion rotation restricting member is dragged in the rotation direction of the pinion while being engaged with the concave and convex portions of the pinion, so that the pinion rotation restricting member is extremely deformed, and finally Was found to be potentially damaged.
The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a starter capable of avoiding extreme deformation of the pinion rotation restricting member when the pinion and the ring gear cannot be engaged with each other. It is in.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the pinion moving body rotates while the forward movement of the pinion moving body is restricted and the engaging portion of the rotation restricting member is engaged with the uneven portion, the engaging portion becomes uneven. Engagement part detachment means for detaching the engagement part from the concavo-convex part when the pinion moving body rotates by a predetermined angle from the position engaged with the part is provided. The engaging part disengaging means is provided separately from the engaging part, and when the pinion moving body in a state in which the engaging part is engaged rotates by a predetermined angle, the engaging part is bent in the rotation direction. The engaging part is moved, and the engaging part is detached from the uneven part. As a result, even if the pinion moving body is restarted immediately after starting the starter while it is inertially rotated, the engagement portion of the rotation restricting member remains engaged with the concavo-convex portion of the pinion moving body. It is possible to avoid a situation in which it is dragged in the rotational direction and deformed extremely.
[0005]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the engaging part releasing means has a guide surface for guiding the engaging part radially outward from the outer diameter of the concavo-convex part as the pinion moving body rotates. As a result, when the pinion moving body rotates by a predetermined angle from the position engaged with the concavo-convex portion, the engaging portion of the rotation restricting member moves radially outward from the outer diameter of the concavo-convex portion along the guide surface of the engaging portion detaching means. By moving, it can be detached from the uneven portion.
[0006]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the engaging surface of the concavo-convex portion is provided in a shape in which the tip of the engaging portion is easily removed from the concavo-convex portion in the rotation direction of the pinion moving body. Specifically, chamfering is formed at least at the corner on the rotational direction side of the pinion moving body at the end portion on the side opposite to the ring gear in the axial direction of the convex portion of the concave and convex portion. As a result, when the pinion moving body rotates by a predetermined angle from the position where the engaging portion is engaged with the concavo-convex portion, the engagement length with the concavo-convex portion is shortened due to elastic deformation of the engaging portion. The engagement portion can be easily detached from the concavo-convex portion by being provided in a shape that can be easily removed.
[0007]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the engaging part releasing means can move together with the pinion moving body. Thus, when the pinion moving body rotates by a predetermined angle while the engaging part of the rotation restricting member is engaged with the uneven part of the pinion moving body, the engaging part of the rotation restricting member and the uneven part of the pinion moving body contact each other. The axial length from the position to the contact position between the rotation restricting member and the engaging portion releasing means can be shortened. Further, since there is a variation in the gap between the gear portion of the pinion moving body and the ring gear when stationary, the rotation restricting member and the engaging portion are determined from the contact position between the engaging portion of the rotation restricting member and the concavo-convex portion of the pinion moving body. Although the axial length to the contact position with the disengaging means also varies, in the present invention, the engaging part disengaging means cannot move because the engaging part disengaging means moves with the pinion moving body. Compared with the case of the structure, the variation in the axial length can be suppressed small. Thereby, since the stress added to the contact part with the engaging part removal means of a rotation control member can be made small, the freedom degree of design of a rotation control member can be raised.
[0008]
According to the means of claim 5, the effects of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained without increasing the number of parts by integrating the engagement / disengagement means with the retreat restricting means.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the starter of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a starter.
The starter 1 of the present embodiment includes a starter motor 2 that generates a rotational force, a planetary gear speed reducer (described later) that decelerates the rotation of the starter motor 2, an output shaft 3 that rotates in response to the rotation output of the speed reducer, A pinion moving body 4 fitted to the output shaft 3, an electromagnetic switch 5 for controlling energization to the starting motor 2, and a rotation restricting member 6 for restricting the rotation of the pinion moving body 4 before the starting motor 2 rotates (FIG. 2). And a plate 7 (see FIG. 3) for releasing the rotation restriction of the pinion moving body 4 by the rotation restriction member 6 and the like.
[0010]
The starting motor 2 includes a cylindrical yoke 8 that forms a magnetic frame, a fixed magnetic pole 9 (for example, a plurality of permanent magnets) fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the yoke 8, and an inner periphery of the fixed magnetic pole 9. 1 and a brush 12 that is in sliding contact with the commutator 11 provided on the rear end surface (the right end surface in FIG. 1) of the armature 10.
The armature 10 is rotatably supported at one end of the rotating shaft 13 via a bearing 15 held by a partition plate 14 that separates the armature 10 and the speed reducer, and the other end of the rotating shaft 13 is connected to the armature 10. It is rotatably supported via a bearing 17 held by a partition plate 16 that separates from the electromagnetic switch 5.
[0011]
The reduction gear includes a sun gear 18 (external tooth) formed on the outer periphery of one end of the rotary shaft 13, an internal gear 19 (internal tooth) located on the outer periphery in the radial direction of the sun gear 18, and between the sun gear 18 and the internal gear 19. And a plurality of planetary gears 20 meshing with both gears 18 and 19 and a carrier portion 21 that rotatably supports the planetary gears 20.
The internal gear 19 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the gear component 23 whose rotation is restricted to the inner periphery of the front housing 22. The planetary gear 20 is rotatably supported through a bearing 25 that fits on the outer periphery of a pin 24 press-fitted into the carrier portion 21. The carrier portion 21 is positioned on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the output shaft 3, and a roller 26 is interposed between the carrier shaft 21 and the rear end portion of the output shaft 3, thereby forming a one-way clutch together with the rear end portion of the output shaft 3 and the roller 26. is doing. The one-way clutch transmits the rotational output of the reduction gear to the output shaft 3 via the roller 26.
[0012]
The output shaft 3 is arranged coaxially with the rotary shaft 13, and one end thereof is rotatably supported via a bearing 27 held by the front housing 22, and the other end side is held by the inner cylinder portion 23 a of the gear component 23. It is supported rotatably via a bearing 28. A helical spline 3a is formed on the outer peripheral surface between both bearings 27 and 28 of the output shaft 3, and the helical spline 4a formed on the inner periphery of the pinion moving body 4 is fitted to the helical spline 3a.
[0013]
The pinion moving body 4 has a gear portion 30 for meshing with a ring gear 29 provided on the drive shaft of the engine, and has a larger outer diameter than the gear portion 30 on the rear end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the gear portion 30. There is a flange 31 having a large number of irregularities 31a (see FIG. 2) formed on the outer periphery, and a washer 33 (thrust bearing) supported rotatably via a roller 32 is disposed on the rear end surface of the flange 31. It is installed.
The pinion moving body 4 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction on the output shaft 3 by meshing the helical spline 3a of the output shaft 3 and the helical spline 4a of the pinion moving body 4, and is disposed in front of the gear portion 30. The spring 34 is always urged toward the rear side (the counter ring gear 29 side) of the starter 1.
[0014]
The electromagnetic switch 5 is disposed at the rear end of the starter 1 and is fixed to the inner periphery of a rear case 35 having a bowl shape.
The electromagnetic switch 5 includes a suction coil 37 that is energized when the key switch 36 (see FIG. 5) is closed, and a plunger 38 that is movably disposed on the inner periphery of the suction coil 37. Along with the movement, a motor contact (described below) interposed in the energization circuit (see FIG. 5) of the starter motor 2 is opened and closed. The suction coil 37 and the plunger 38 are arranged so that the moving direction of the plunger 38 is the radial direction of the rear case 35 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1).
As shown in FIG. 5, the motor contact includes a movable contact 39 attached to the upper end of the plunger 38, a battery side fixed contact 41 provided integrally with a battery terminal 40 fixed to the rear case 35, and the brush 12 (positive electrode). 1), and when the plunger 38 is sucked and moved upward in FIG. 1, the movable contact 39 abuts both the fixed contacts 41, 42, thereby the both fixed contacts 41, 42. Is conducted.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation restricting member 6 is formed by, for example, winding a metal rod-like member in a loop shape and bending both end portions 6a and 6b at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction in the same direction. Yes. The rotation restricting member 6 has a portion wound in a loop shape in the space formed between the plate 7 disposed in front of the gear constituting member 23 and the gear constituting member 23. Both end portions 6a and 6b, which are arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 23a and are bent in the same direction, are taken out forward from the plate 7, and the whole is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction of FIG.
[0016]
One end 6a (hereinafter referred to as the upper projecting portion 6a) taken forward from the plate 7 is taken out from the radial upper part of the plate 7 (outside in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the flange 31 of the pinion moving body 4). Therefore, the tip end face is located in front of the flange 31 of the pinion moving body 4. Further, the other end 6 b (hereinafter referred to as the lower protrusion 6 b) is taken out from the lower portion in the radial direction of the plate 7, and the tip end surface thereof is located behind the washer 33 of the pinion moving body 4.
The rotation restricting member 6 is constantly urged upward in FIG. 1 by the urging force of the spring 43 with the spring 43 fixed to the plate 7 engaging the lower protrusion 6 b. Further, the operating force of the electromagnetic switch 5 (movement of the plunger 38) is transmitted through the rod 44, so that the electromagnetic switch 5 can move downward in FIG. 1 against the urging force of the spring 43. Therefore, the moving means of the present invention comprises the electromagnetic switch 5 and the rod 44.
[0017]
The rod 44 engages with the plunger 38 to follow the movement of the plunger 38, an operating part 44b that engages with the lower protruding part 6b to operate the lower protruding part 6b, a moving part 44a and an operating part. The connecting portion 44c extends substantially in parallel with the rotary shaft 13 on the outer side in the radial direction of the armature 10 and the outer side of the speed reducer. The connecting portion 44c of the rod 44 is rotatably supported by two bearings (not shown), and when the moving portion 44a moves following the plunger 38, the movement of the moving portion 44a is caused by the movement of the connecting portion 44c. The operation part 44b which is converted into the rotational motion and rotates together with the connecting part 44c can operate the lower protrusion 6b.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the plate 7 is provided in a substantially circular shape, and the rotation of the plate 7 is restricted with respect to the front housing 22 by two protrusions 7 a formed on the outer peripheral edge. The plate 7 is provided with an opening 7b through which the upper protruding portion 6a is taken out and an opening (not shown) through which the lower protruding portion 6b is taken out. The protrusion 6 a is formed to extend in the rotation direction of the pinion moving body 4 so that the protrusion 6 a can be dragged and moved by the rotation of the pinion moving body 4 while being engaged with the concave and convex portion 31 a of the flange 31. In addition, when the pinion moving body 4 is rotated by a predetermined angle from the position where the upper protrusion 6a is engaged with the uneven portion 31a, the opening 7b is engaged with the uneven portion 31a of the flange 31 until then and the pinion moves. An inclined surface 7c (guide surface of the present invention) for separating the upper projecting portion 6a that has followed the rotation of the body 4 from the concavo-convex portion 31a and a holding portion 7d for holding the detached upper projecting portion 6a are formed. Yes.
[0019]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the key switch 36 is closed, a current flows from the battery 45 to the suction coil 37 of the electromagnetic switch 5 to generate a magnetic force, and the plunger 38 is attracted and moved upward in FIG. The movement of the plunger 38 is transmitted to the rotation restricting member 6 through the rod 44, and the rotation restricting member 6 moves downward in FIG. 1 while bending the spring 43. As a result, the upper protrusion 6 a of the rotation restricting member 6 engages with the concavo-convex portion 31 a provided on the outer periphery of the flange 31 of the pinion moving body 4 to restrict the rotation of the pinion moving body 4.
[0020]
On the other hand, in the electromagnetic switch 5, the movable contact 39 contacts the both fixed contacts 41, 42 by moving the plunger 38 and closes between the both fixed contacts 41, 42, so that a current flows from the battery 45 to the armature 10 and the armature 10. Starts rotating. The rotation of the armature 10 is transmitted to the output shaft 3 after being decelerated by the reduction gear, and the output shaft 3 rotates. The rotation of the output shaft 3 also tries to rotate the pinion moving body 4. However, since the rotation of the pinion moving body 4 is restricted as described above, the rotation of the output shaft 3 is moved by the engagement of the helical splines 3a and 4a. Acts on the body 4 as a thrust. Thereby, the pinion moving body 4 moves forward on the output shaft 3, and the end surface of the gear portion 30 of the pinion moving body 4 comes into contact with the end surface of the ring gear 29. At this time, the upper protrusion 6a engaged with the concavo-convex portion 31a of the collar portion 31 can bend in the rotation direction of the pinion moving body 4, so that the pinion moving body 4 rotates at least one pitch of the gear portion 30. In the meantime, the gear portion 30 and the ring gear 29 can be engaged with each other, the pinion moving body 4 moves forward again on the output shaft 3, and the gear portion 30 is engaged with the ring gear 29. When the gear portion 30 and the ring gear 29 are completely meshed, the upper protruding portion 6a that has been engaged with the uneven portion 31a until then is detached from the uneven portion 31a and behind the washer 33 provided at the rear end of the pinion moving body 4. The pinion moving body 4 is prevented from moving backward by entering.
[0021]
However, if the gear portion 30 cannot engage with the ring gear 29 for some reason, for example, the engine has failed to ignite and the starter 1 is rotated again in the situation where the pinion moving body 4 immediately after the starter 1 stops is inertially rotated. In the case of starting, the pinion moving body 4 (gear part 30) and the ring gear 29 cannot normally engage with each other. In this case, the pinion moving body 4 cannot move forward in a state where the end face of the gear portion 30 is in contact with the end face of the ring gear 29 and tries to rotate on the spot. For this reason, the upper protruding portion 6a engaged with the concavo-convex portion 31a bends in the rotation direction while being dragged by the rotation of the pinion moving body 4, but as shown in FIG. 7b is gradually moved radially outward of the pinion moving body 4 along the inclined surface 7c (FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d)), and when the pinion moving body 4 rotates by a predetermined angle, the uneven portion 31a It separates (FIG. 4 (e)) and is held by the holding portion 7d following the inclined surface 7c (FIG. 4 (f)).
[0022]
The upper projecting portion 6a detached from the concavo-convex portion 31a is dragged in the rotational direction and elastically deformed to generate a return force. Once held by the holding portion 7d of the plate 7, once the starter 1 is activated, electromagnetic waves are generated. Since the suction force of the switch 5 (the force that sucks the plunger 38) urges the rotation restricting member 6 downward in FIG. 1 via the rod 44, the switch 5 disengages from the holding portion 7d and engages with the uneven portion 31a again. There is nothing. However, if the force that biases the rotation restricting member 6 downward (the attractive force of the electromagnetic switch) is weaker than the return force due to the elastic deformation of the upper protruding portion 6a, the upper protruding portion 6a is detached from the holding portion 7d again. Needless to say, it is necessary to apply an urging force to the rotation restricting member 6 so that the upper projecting portion 6a is fastened to the holding portion 7d because there is a possibility of engaging with the uneven portion 31a.
[0023]
After the upper protrusion 6 a is held by the holding portion 7 d of the plate 7, when the key switch 36 is opened and the energization to the suction coil 37 is stopped, the plunger suction force of the electromagnetic switch 5 disappears and the rotation restriction through the rod 44 The load that urges the member 6 downward in FIG. 1 is eliminated. As a result, the rotation restricting member 6 is pushed back upward in FIG. 1 by the reaction force of the spring 43, so that the upper projecting portion 6a moves away from the holding portion 7d of the plate 7 and is in a stationary position before starting the starter 1 (shown in FIG. 1). Return to position.
[0024]
(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, even if the pinion moving body 4 rotates while the gear portion 30 and the ring gear 29 cannot be engaged with each other, the upper protruding portion 6a engaged with the uneven portion 31a of the flange portion 31 is From the middle of rotation, the pinion moving body 4 gradually moves to the outside in the radial direction of the pinion moving body 4 along the inclined surface 7c provided in the opening 7b of the plate 7, and the pinion moving body 4 from the position where the upper protrusion 6a is engaged with the uneven portion 31a. Can be detached from the concavo-convex portion 31a when it has rotated a predetermined angle. Thereby, it is possible to avoid repetition of engagement and disengagement between the upper protrusion 6a and the uneven portion 31a that occurs when the upper protrusion 6a is dragged by the rotation of the pinion moving body 4 while being engaged with the uneven portion 31a. Extreme deformation of the upper protruding portion 6a and damage to the uneven portion 31a can be prevented.
[0025]
Further, since it is possible to avoid repeated engagement and disengagement between the upper projecting portion 6a and the uneven portion 31a, noise due to repeated engagement and disengagement is eliminated.
Furthermore, since the generation of frictional heat due to repeated engagement and disengagement between the upper projecting portion 6a and the concavo-convex portion 31a is eliminated, it is possible to avoid the oil content of the thrust bearing provided in the pinion moving body 4 from flowing out, There is also an effect that it is possible to prevent the life of the thrust bearing from being reduced.
[0026]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a side view showing an engaged state between the uneven portion 31a and the upper protruding portion 6a.
This embodiment shows an example in which the upper protrusion 6a is easily removed from the concavo-convex portion 31a when the pinion moving body 4 rotates by a predetermined angle.
In order to make it easy for the tip of the upper protrusion 6a to come off from the uneven portion 31a in the rotation direction of the pinion moving body 4, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an R chamfer is formed at the corner of the engaging surface of the uneven portion 31a. ing. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a cylindrical protrusion 46 is provided on the rear end surface of the washer 33 to hold the tip of the upper protruding portion 6a detached from the uneven portion 31a.
[0027]
According to this embodiment, when the pinion moving body 4 rotates while the gear portion 30 and the ring gear 29 cannot be engaged with each other, the upper protrusion 6 a engaged with the concavo-convex portion 31 a is rotated by the rotation of the pinion moving body 4. Due to elastic deformation, the engagement length with the concavo-convex portion 31a is gradually shortened. When the pinion moving body 4 rotates to a predetermined angle from the position where the upper protruding portion 6a is engaged with the concavo-convex portion 31a, the engaging surface corner of the concavo-convex portion 31a has an R shape, and therefore the upper protruding portion 6a It can be easily detached from the portion 31a (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 9, the upper protruding portion 6 a detached from the concavo-convex portion 31 a is held by a protrusion 46 provided on the rear end surface of the washer 33, and is radially inward (downward in FIG. 9). Depression is prevented. Although not shown, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when the engaging surface corner of the concavo-convex portion 31a has a C chamfered shape.
Also in this embodiment, since the upper protrusion 6a can be detached from the uneven portion 31a when the pinion moving body 4 rotates a predetermined angle from the position where the upper protrusion 6a is engaged with the uneven portion 31a, the same as in the first embodiment. The effect of can be obtained.
[0028]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a side view showing variations in the gap between the pinion moving body and the ring gear.
As shown in FIG. 10 (third embodiment) and FIG. 11 (first embodiment), the gap between the pinion moving body 4 and the ring gear 29 when the starter is stationary varies from L1 to L2. For this reason, in the starter shown in the first embodiment (the structure in which the position of the plate 7 that is the engaging portion disengaging means is fixed), the upper projecting portion 6 a of the rotation restricting member 6 is formed on the uneven portion 31 a of the flange portion 31. When rotating while engaging and contacting the inclined surface 7c of the plate 7 (see FIG. 12), from the engaging portion 6A with the inclined surface 7c to the engaging portion 6B with the concavo-convex portion 31a of the flange portion 31 Variations in the axial direction length of l1 to l2 also occur (see FIGS. 13 and 14). A bending stress is generated in the engaging portion 6A of the upper projecting portion 6a with the inclined surface 7c by the rotational force received from the pinion moving body 4, but the bending stress is proportional to the axial length l1 to l2. If the axial length varies, the bending stress also varies. As a result, since it is necessary to design the strength of the rotation restricting member 6 in consideration of the maximum stress of variation, this is a factor that narrows the degree of freedom in designing the rotation restricting member 6.
[0029]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the starter 1 is proposed that can reduce the bending stress applied to the upper protruding portion 6a by providing the engagement / disengagement means to the pinion retraction regulating member 47 that moves together with the pinion moving body 4.
As shown in FIG. 15, the pinion retraction restricting member 47 includes a fulcrum portion 47a serving as a rotation fulcrum and an annular portion (described below) provided integrally with the fulcrum portion 47a. The fulcrum part 47a is pivotally supported by a pin 49 fixed to a plate 48 (see FIG. 10). The annular portion includes a branch piece 47b that branches and extends bifurcated from the fulcrum portion 47a, a pair of side pieces 47c that extends upward from the branch piece 47b, and a connecting piece 47d that connects the pair of side pieces 47c. Stepped surfaces 47e as engagement / disengagement means are formed on both shoulders of the connecting piece 47d. As shown in FIG. 15B, the side piece 47c is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from the side, and the bent portion thereof is a washer 33 (thrust bearing) of the pinion moving body 4. Is engaged with an engaging projection 33a provided on the surface (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 17, the engagement protrusions 33 a are provided on a pair of protrusion pieces 33 b that protrude rearward (on the opposite side of the ring gear 29) from the left and right ends of the washer 33. Projecting radially inward.
[0030]
When the pinion moving body 4 whose rotation is restricted by the engagement with the rotation restricting member 6 (upper protrusion 6 a) moves forward on the output shaft 3, the side piece 47 c becomes an engagement protrusion of the washer 33. By being pulled in the axial direction while engaging with 33a, the entire pinion retraction restricting member 47 rotates around the pin 49. Thereafter, when the gear portion 30 of the pinion moving body 4 is engaged with the ring gear 29 and moves forward by a predetermined amount, the upper protruding portion 6a of the rotation restricting member 6 is disengaged from the uneven portion 31a formed on the flange portion 31 of the pinion moving body 4. When the pinion moving body 4 falls to the rear side, the rotation restriction of the pinion moving body 4 is released, and the tip of the upper protrusion 6a abuts on the rear end face of the connecting piece 47d of the pinion retraction restricting member 47, thereby causing the pinion moving body. 4 backwards can be regulated.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the rotation-restricted pinion moving body 4 moves forward on the output shaft 3 and the gear part 30 cannot engage with the ring gear 29, the upper protrusion part 6a of the rotation-restricting member 6 has the uneven part 31a of the flange part 31. The pinion moving body 4 is dragged by the rotation of the pinion moving body 4 while being engaged (bends). When the pinion moving body 4 rotates by a predetermined angle, the upper projecting portion 6a abuts on a step surface 47e provided on the pinion retraction restricting member 47 (see FIG. 16), and further gradually along the step surface 47e. By moving radially outward, it can be detached from the concavo-convex portion 31a (see FIG. 17).
[0032]
Here, when the upper projecting portion 6a contacts the step surface 47e, the bending stress applied to the contact portion with the step surface 47e is changed from the engaging portion with the concavo-convex portion 31a of the upper projecting portion 6a to the contact portion. It is proportional to the length in the axial direction. However, as shown in FIG. 10, since there are variations L1 to L2 in the gap between the pinion moving body 4 and the ring gear 29, the portion from the engaging portion with the concavo-convex portion 31a of the upper protruding portion 6a to the abutting portion. Variations l3 to l4 also occur in the axial length (see FIGS. 18 and 19). However, in the third embodiment, since the pinion retraction restricting member 47 having the engagement / disengagement means (step surface 47e) can move together with the pinion moving body 4, the axial lengths l3 and l4 are the same as those in the first embodiment. And the variations l3 to l4 are also smaller than the variations l1 to l2 of the first embodiment. As a result, compared to the case of the first embodiment, the bending stress applied to the upper protruding portion 6a can be reduced, so that the degree of freedom in designing the rotation restricting member 6 can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a starter.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a plate.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process in which an upper protruding portion is detached from an uneven portion.
FIG. 5 is an energization circuit diagram of a starter motor.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing an engagement state between the concavo-convex part and the upper projecting part (second embodiment).
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the shape of an uneven portion (second embodiment).
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration (stationary state) inside the front housing (second embodiment).
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration (operation state) inside the front housing (second embodiment).
FIG. 10 is a side view showing variation in the gap between the pinion moving body and the ring gear (third embodiment).
FIG. 11 is a side view showing variation in the gap between the pinion moving body and the ring gear (first embodiment).
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper projecting portion is in contact with the inclined surface (first embodiment).
FIG. 13 is a side half sectional view showing variations in axial length (first embodiment).
FIG. 14 is a side half sectional view showing variations in axial length (first embodiment).
FIG. 15 is a plan view (a), a side view (b), and a bottom view (c) of a pinion retraction regulating member (third embodiment).
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper protruding portion is in contact with the step surface (third embodiment).
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the movement of the upper protrusion (third embodiment).
FIG. 18 is a side half sectional view showing variations in axial length (third embodiment).
FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing variations in axial length (third embodiment).
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Starter 2 Starter motor 3 Output shaft 3a Helical spline 4 Pinion moving body 4a Helical spline 5 Electromagnetic switch (moving means)
6 Rotation restriction member 6a Upper protrusion (engagement portion)
7 Plate (engaging part release means)
7c Inclined surface (guide surface)
29 Ring gear 30 Gear portion 31a Uneven portion 44 Rod (moving means)
47 Retraction restriction member (retraction restriction means)

Claims (5)

A starting motor that generates rotational force;
An output shaft driven and rotated by the starting motor;
A pinion that has a gear portion that meshes with the ring gear of the engine, and has a concave and convex portion that is formed on the opposite side of the ring gear in the axial direction of the gear portion, and is engaged with the output shaft by a helical spline. A moving object,
A rotation restricting member that has an engaging portion engageable with the uneven portion, and that elastically restricts the pinion moving body in the rotation direction in a state where the engaging portion engages with the uneven portion;
Moving means for moving the engaging portion of the rotation restricting member to the uneven portion;
The engagement that is provided separately from the engagement portion and is bent in the rotation direction when the pinion moving body in a state in which the engagement portion is engaged rotates by a predetermined angle and the engagement portion is bent. A starter comprising: an engaging part detaching means for moving the part and detaching the engaging part from the concavo-convex part.   2. The engaging part disengaging means has a guide surface that guides the engaging part radially outward from the outer diameter of the concavo-convex part as the pinion moving body rotates. The starter described. The engaging part disengaging means is an end part on the side opposite to the ring gear in the axial direction of the convex part of the concavo-convex part, and is a part where a chamfer is formed at least in a corner on the rotational direction side of the pinion moving body. The starter according to claim 1. The starter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the engaging part disengaging means is movable together with the pinion moving body. Retreat restriction means for restricting retraction of the pinion moving body from a position where the pinion moving body has advanced a predetermined amount toward the ring gear;
The starter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement portion disengaging means is provided in the retraction restricting means.

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