# US 8,464,680 B2 · Disengageable module for a system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,680 B2 - Document ID: US8464680B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/739,249 - Filed: 2008-10-14 - Published: 2011-03-03 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-22 - Assignees: Aktiebolaget Skf - Applicants: Jean-Philippe Gaborel; Pierre-Julien Barraud; Gwenaël Hingouet; Virginie Hamada - Inventors: Jean-Philippe Gaborel; Pierre-Julien Barraud; Gwenaël Hingouet; Virginie Hamada - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464680B2 ## CPC - F02N 15/022: {the starter comprising an intermediate clutch} - F16D 41/07: between two cylindrical surfaces - F02N 11/00: Starting of engines by means of electric motors - F02N 15/023: {of the overrunning type} - F02N 2250/08: Lubrication of starters; Sealing means for starters - F16D 2250/00: Manufacturing; Assembly - F16D 2300/06: Lubrication details not provided for in group F16D13/74 - F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract The disengageable module for a system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine, of the type comprising a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, comprises an inner ring (26) intended to be coupled to the crankshaft, an outer ring (28) intended to be coupled to the ring gear, and at least one free wheel (30) provided with a plurality of wedging elements (34) mounted between raceways of the said rings. It further comprises means (50) designed to provide relative centering of the inner ring (26) and of the outer ring (28) and for transmitting radial load, the said means (50) being mounted at least partially between the inner ring and the outer ring leaving radial clearances between themselves and the said inner ring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disengageable module for a system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine, the system including a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, the module comprising: an inner ring configured to couple with the crankshaft and having a raceway, an outer ring configured to couple with the ring gear and having a raceway, and at least one free wheel having a plurality of wedging elements mounted between the raceways of the inner and outer rings, and means for centering the inner ring and the outer ring relative to each other and for transmitting radial loading, the centering and transmitting means being mounted at least partially between the inner ring and the outer ring such that radial clearances are defined between the means and the inner ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, wherein the centering and transmitting means include at least one plain bearing positioned radially between the raceways of the inner ring and of the outer ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1 wherein the centering and transmitting means are mounted axially on each side of the wedging elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, further comprising axial-retention means for axially retaining the inner ring relative to the outer ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The module according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the inner and outer rings has seating surfaces and the axial-retention means include washers fixed to the seating faces of one of the inner and outer rings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The module according to claim 5, wherein the axial-retention means include shoulders formed on the other one of the inner and outer rings, the shoulders facing the washers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, wherein the wedging elements are cams. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, further comprising a cage configured to maintain a circumferential spacing between the wedging elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, wherein each of the inner and outer rings has seating faces and the module further comprises at least one seal positioned radially between the seating faces of the inner ring and of the outer ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, wherein one of the inner ring and the outer ring includes at least one lubricant-feed duct. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The module according to claim 1, wherein the means for centering the inner ring and the outer ring relative to each other and for transmitting radial loading provide the radial centering of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. ### Claim 12 A system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the engine having a crankshaft, the system comprising: a starter motor, a ring gear connected to the starter motor and to the engine crankshaft, and a disengageable module including: an inner ring configured to couple with the crankshaft and having a raceway, an outer ring configured to couple with the ring gear and having a raceway, and at least one free wheel having a plurality of wedging elements mounted between the raceways of the inner and outer rings, and means for centering the inner ring and the outer ring relative to each other and for transmitting radial loading, the centering and transmitting means being mounted at least partially between the inner ring and the outer ring such that radial clearances are defined between the means and the inner ring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the disengageable module is lubricated using grease. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the disengageable module is lubricated with internal combustion engine oil, the module being at least partially positioned in a recess of the crankcase. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, wherein the disengageable module further includes at least one seal positioned between the crankcase and the module and at least one seal positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring of the module. ### Claim 16 A disengageable module for a system for transmitting a starting torque to an internal combustion engine, the system including a ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, the module comprising: an inner ring configured to couple with the crankshaft and having a raceway, an outer ring configured to couple with the ring gear and having a raceway, and at least one free wheel having a plurality of wedging elements mounted between the raceways of the inner and outer rings, and at least one bearing positioned radially between the raceway of the inner ring and the raceway of the outer ring and configured to center the inner ring relative to the outer ring and to transmit radial loads, wherein the at least one bearing is spaced from the inner ring by a gap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The module according to claim 16 wherein the at least one bearing comprise first and second plain bearings mounted axially on each side of the plurality of wedging elements. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The module according to claim 17, further including a washer fixed to a seating face of one of the inner and outer rings for axially retaining the at least one bearing.