Signal detector of engine for vehicle
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a vehicle engine in which a crankcase is reduced in length in a crankshaft direction and in which the number of parts for an ignition signal detecting device is reduced, whereas rigidity and function of a one-way clutch for a starter mechanism is maintained. The one-way clutch is mounted on one end of a crankshaft, and a sensor of the ignition signal detecting device is positioned radially outside a cylindrical outer wall of a clutch outer component of the one-way clutch. The cylindrical outer wall of the clutch outer component includes a plurality of concave and convex parts as a signal output part in its circumferential direction, where each of the concave and convex parts extends in the crankshaft direction. The cylindrical outer wall includes an annular reinforced part having a thickness which is greater than that of a bottom wall forming the concave part.
1. A signal detector arrangement for a vehicle engine having a starter mechanism and a crankshaft with first and second ends, said signal detector arrangement comprising:
a one-way clutch arranged to be mounted on one of the first and second ends of the crankshaft for disengageably coupling the starter mechanism with the crankshaft; and
a sensor configured to detect signals;
wherein said one-way clutch includes a clutch inner member, a clutch outer member, and a clutch engagement member disengageably engageable between said clutch inner member and said clutch outer member so as to disengageably couple said clutch outer member for rotation with said clutch inner member;
wherein said clutch outer member comprises a cylindrical outer wall having an outer surface with at least one concavity and at least one convexity so as to constitute a signal output part to be detected by said sensor;
wherein said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member further comprises an annular reinforcing part that is thicker than any radially bottom wall forming any radially bottom surface of said at least one concavity; and
wherein said sensor is disposed radially outside said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member at a position so as to radially oppose said at least one concavity and said at least one convexity upon rotation of said clutch outer member.
2. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
said clutch outer member further comprises an axial end wall at a first axial end of said cylindrical outer wall; and
said annular reinforcing part constitutes a part of said cylindrical outer wall at a second axial end of said cylindrical outer wall axially opposite said first axial end thereof.
3. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein
said at least one concavity and said at least one convexity are formed by signal output teeth formed as part of said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member.
4. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein
said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member has a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said signal output teeth are formed that is equal to a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said annular reinforcing part is formed, such that a radially outer surface of said signal output teeth is flush with a radially outer surface of said annular reinforcing part; and
a depth of each of said signal output teeth is larger than half of a radial thickness of said annular reinforcing part of said cylindrical outer wall.
5. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein
said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member has a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said signal output teeth are formed that is greater than a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said annular reinforcing part is formed, such that a radially outer surface of said signal output teeth is disposed radially outwardly of a radially outer surface of said annular reinforcing part; and
a depth of each of said signal output teeth is larger than half of a radial thickness of said annular reinforcing part of said cylindrical outer wall.
6. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein
said signal output teeth are formed at said first axial end of said cylindrical outer wall, with said at least one convexity being constituted by said signal output teeth, and said at least one concavity being constituted by a through-holes penetrating radially through said cylindrical outer wall between said signal output teeth.
7. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein
said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member has a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said at least one convexity and said at least one concavity are formed that is equal to a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said annular reinforcing part is formed, such that a radially outer surface of said at least one convexity is flush with a radially outer surface of said annular reinforcing part; and
a depth of said at least one concavity is larger than half of a radial thickness of said annular reinforcing part of said cylindrical outer wall.
8. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein
said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member has a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said at least one convexity and said at least one concavity are formed that is greater than a thickness at an axial part thereof at which said annular reinforcing part is formed, such that a radially outer surface of said at least one convexity is disposed radially outwardly of a radially outer surface of said annular reinforcing part; and
a depth of said at least one concavity is larger than half of a radial thickness of said annular reinforcing part of said cylindrical outer wall.
9. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein
said at least one convexity and said at least one concavity are formed at said first axial end of said cylindrical outer wall, with said at least one concavity being constituted by a through-hole penetrating radially through said cylindrical outer wall.
10. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
said at least one concavity and said at least one convexity are formed by teeth formed as part of said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member.
11. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising
an engine crankcase configured to encase the crankshaft; and
a wire lead supporter configured to support a wire lead for said sensor;
wherein said sensor and said wire lead supporter are mounted on said engine crankcase.
12. The signal detector arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
said clutch inner member is disposed radially within said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member; and
said clutch engagement member is disposed radially between said clutch inner member and said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member.