Engine Starter Mounting Axial Offset Radial Compactness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine starter mounting structures face challenges in achieving a compact design due to the need to prevent interference between the starter and the docking bolt installation space, often resulting in increased radial dimensions and additional components.

Innovation Solution

A starter mounting structure comprising a starter housing part, a starter insertion part, a first flange part, and a second flange part, where the starter is offset in the axial direction from the bolt flange, allowing the starter and bolt flange to share the same radial position, with a starter insertion part providing access for the docking bolt and a notch to ensure proper alignment without affecting performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the starter is arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction of the transmission as the bolt flange, then the radial dimension can be reduced for a more compact design, but the working space for installing the docking bolt becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial dimensionVSAvoidworking space for installing docking bolt
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by transitioning from radial arrangement to axial arrangement. The starter mounting bracket is positioned axially adjacent to the bolt flange rather than radially adjacent, allowing both components to occupy the same radial position while maintaining sufficient working space for docking bolt installation. This dimensional shift enables compact radial design without compromising installation accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the starter is arranged offset in the radial direction from the bolt flange to secure working space, then the working space for installing the docking bolt is sufficient, but the radial dimension becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking space for installing docking boltVSAvoidradial dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves the starter mounting bracket from radial offset positioning to axial offset positioning. By arranging the bracket axially adjacent to the bolt flange rather than radially offset, the design achieves sufficient working space for docking bolt installation while maintaining a compact radial dimension, thus resolving the contradiction between operational space and compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If additional components are added to accommodate both starter and bolt flange, then the installation space conflict is resolved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The starter mounting bracket is designed to serve dual functions: it provides structural support for the starter while simultaneously defining the installation interface for the docking bolt. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate additional components to resolve spatial conflicts, thereby reducing device complexity while ensuring adequate installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the starter mounting function and the docking bolt installation interface into a single integrated starter mounting bracket structure. By combining these functions into one component rather than using separate parts, the design resolves installation space requirements without increasing the number of components, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2115294B1Engine starter mounting structure
Publication Date: 2015.04.01 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2115294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2115294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2115294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engine starter mounting structure is provided that basically has a starter housing part (3), a starter insertion part (9a), a first flange part (3a) and a second flange part (8a). The starter housing part (3) has an internal portion that at least partially houses a portion of a starter (1). The starter insertion part (9a) is arranged to provide access to the internal portion of the starter housing part (3) for inserting the portion of the starter (1) into the internal portion. The first flange part (3 a) is disposed on an end portion of the starter housing part (3) with the first flange part (3 a) including a fastening structure that is configured to fasten the starter (1) thereto. The second flange part (8a) is disposed in the internal portion of the starter housing part (3), with the second flange part (8a) having a bolt hole (8b) that is arranged and configured to receive a bolt (6) therethrough for interconnecting an engine and a transmission together.