Starter device for an internal combustion engine

Starter device for an internal combustion engine, the starter device comprising a starter housing, an electric motor and an engagement pinion driven in rotation by the motor around the pinion rotation axis, the pinion being movable in a translational motion along its pinion rotation axis between a retracted position and an engaging position for engaging a gear connected to the internal combustion engine, the translational motion being caused by the rotation of the electric motor, the starter device further comprising a non-rotatable element which is blocked in rotation with respect to the starter housing, a rotatable element driven in rotation by the electric motor, a helical linkage between the non-rotatable element and the rotatable element for causing the translational motion of the pinion, wherein

• the non-rotatable element is fixed in translation along the pinion rotation axis with respect to the starter housing,
• the rotatable element can translate with respect to the starter housing, and
• translation of the rotatable element causes translation of the pinion towards its engaging position,
• wherein the helical linkage is arranged to be deactivated, and wherein the non-rotatable element comprises a retractable clutching member mounted in the starter housing, wherein the retractable clutching member is movable between a first deactivated position and an activated position with respect to the starter housing, wherein an helical groove provided on an outer surface of the rotatable element, and wherein the retractable clutching member is engaged in the helical groove when the retractable clutching member is in its activated position.