Ring Gear, Internal Combustion Engine-Starting Torque-Transmission Mechanism, and Method of Manufacturing Ring Gear

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein

• the regionally formed bodies are separately formed corresponding to three regions of the race side region, the gear side region, and an intermediate region that is a region between the race side region and the gear side region, wherein the whole shape of the ring gear is divided into the three regions.

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein

• a disposition surface on which a first seal ring is disposed or a contact surface with which the first seal ring is in contact is formed on the race side-region formed body corresponding to the race side region, the first seal ring provides a seal against oil between the race side-region formed body and the crankshaft side member.

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein a disposition surface on which a second seal ring is disposed or a contact surface with which the second seal ring is in contact is formed on the race side-region formed body corresponding to the race side region, the second seal ring provides a seal against oil between the race side-region formed body and an internal combustion engine body-side member.

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein

• at least one inter-region joint portion is formed by welding.

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein

• the crankshaft side member includes the other race portion of the one-way clutch, and
• the one-way clutch is formed so that the other race portion radially faces the one race portion of the one-way clutch in the race side region.

The ring gear according to claim 27, wherein, the ring gear is always in mesh with the pinion of the starter motor once installed in the internal combustion engine.

An internal combustion engine-starting torque-transmission mechanism for transmitting starting torque from a starter motor to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, the mechanism comprising the ring gear according to claim 27.

A method of manufacturing the ring gear according to claim 27, comprising:

• forming all the regionally formed bodies, wherein at least the race side-region formed body has a common shape independently of the type of internal combustion engine, wherein at least one of the regionally formed bodies other than the race side-region formed body has a shape adapted to the internal combustion engine of a particular type;
• and
• joining the regionally formed bodies by a joining process.

A ring gear that transmits starting torque output from a starter motor to a crankshaft side member, which rotates with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, through a one-way clutch, the ring gear comprising:

• a plurality of regionally formed bodies that are separately formed corresponding to at least two regions that include a race side region including one race portion of the one-way clutch, and a gear side region to which the starting torque is transmitted from the starter motor via gear mesh, wherein a whole shape of the ring gear is radially divided into the at least two regions;
• and
• an inter-region joint portion joining the regionally formed bodies.