Starter return mechanism
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorMark Milliren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A permanently engaged starter assembly includes a ring gear, a return gear, and a starter gear. The return gear is fixed to a shaft of a starter return mechanism. The starter gear is arranged for fixing to a shaft of a starter motor and arranged in a torque path between the ring gear and the return gear. In an example embodiment, the ring gear has a central axis and the return gear is radially outside of the starter gear when measured from the ring gear central axis. In an example embodiment, the ring gear includes a first gear tooth, the return gear includes a second gear tooth, and the starter gear includes third and fourth gear teeth engaged with the first and second gear teeth, respectively.
Claims18
A starter gear assembly comprising:
- a ring gear;
- a return mechanism comprising:
- a slip tube;
- a return mechanism shaft, and,
- a torsion spring rotationally engaged with the return mechanism shaft and the slip tube:
- a return gear fixed to the return mechanism shaft;
- and,
- a starter gear arranged for fixing to a shaft of a starter motor and arranged in a torque path between the ring gear and the return gear.
A return mechanism for a starter comprising:
- a shaft including a first helical cut;
- a slip tube including a second helical cut and a first radial tab;
- a torsion spring disposed radially between the shaft and the slip tube and including respective end coils rotationally engaged with the first and second helical cuts;
- and,
- a shaft plate fixed to the shaft and including a second radial tab, wherein the first and second radial tabs are arranged to maintain preload of the torsion spring and limit rotational displacement of the shaft relative to the slip tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.