Starter Pinion Helical Spline Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automatic engine stop and start system in vehicles with idle stop function faces challenges in restarting the engine promptly due to the time required for the pinion and ring gear to mesh, especially when a solenoid-based plunger stopper is used, which affects mountability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A starter system that maintains a meshing state between the pinion and ring gear using movement resistance of a torque transmission member, even when the electromagnetic actuator is non-energized, through helical splines with inclination angles that ensure the pinion and ring gear remain engaged during engine stop mode, eliminating the need for a solenoid-based plunger stopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-based plunger stopper is used to hold the plunger of the magnetic switch, then the meshing state between pinion and ring gear can be maintained during idle stop, but the device complexity increases and mountability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the solenoid component from the plunger stopper mechanism. Instead of using a solenoid-based active holding mechanism, the patent employs a passive mechanical retention structure that maintains the meshing state without requiring additional electromagnetic actuators, thereby improving mountability while preserving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger stopper is designed to automatically maintain the meshing state through its own structural configuration without requiring external power or control systems. The stopper structure itself provides the holding function through its geometric design, eliminating the need for separate solenoid actuators and reducing overall system complexity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pinion and ring gear are allowed to disengage during engine stop, then the electromagnetic actuator can be non-energized saving energy, but the engine restart time increases due to the time required to re-mesh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the meshing state between pinion and ring gear in advance during engine stop. The plunger stopper structure keeps the components positioned and engaged beforehand, so when the engine needs to restart, no time is lost for re-meshing, thus reducing restart time while allowing the actuator to remain non-energized
3Reliability
If the pinion and ring gear collide before meshing, then the meshing process becomes unreliable, but the restart time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger stopper acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls and guides the engagement process. It ensures the pinion and ring gear approach each other in a controlled manner through the helical spline mechanism, preventing harmful collisions while ensuring reliable meshing, thus improving both reliability and reducing restart time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for quicker engine restarts and improved mountability by maintaining the meshing state without a solenoid, reducing the need for additional components and enhancing the starter's performance in idle stop vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the inclination angles of the helical splines are set so as to maintain a state where the pinion and the ring gear mesh with each other during an engine stop mode
Implementation Method 2
the helical splines slide the torque transmission member so as to get apart from the ring gear when the pinion is rotated by driving force from the ring gear
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a starter capable of keeping a state where a pinion and a ring gear maintain meshing with each other when an engine stops without providing a plunger stopper using a solenoid or the like. The state where the pinion and the ring gear maintain meshing with each other in the engine stop mode continues by movement resistance which occurs when a torque transmission member moves. Concretely, an inclination angle of a helical spline in a helical spline engagement part is set so that the above state continues. The helical spline engagement part is a part where a helical spline on the outer periphery of an output shaft of a starter motor and a helical spline on the inner periphery of the torque transmission member mesh with each. Consequently, the above state continues without a plunger stopper using a solenoid or the like.