STARTER
Some embodiments include a starter that includes at least one solenoid coil winding that is integrated with a pinion and plunger assembly. Some embodiments include a starter with an output shaft including a rotational axis coupled to a pinion including pinion teeth, and at least one solenoid coil winding at least partially circumferentially surrounding the pinion, the pinion teeth and the output shaft. In some embodiments, the solenoid coil winding is capable of providing a magnetic field flux within the pinion, the output shaft or both. Some embodiments provide a starter with a pinion that can move bi-directionally with respect to the rotational axis of the output shaft. In other embodiments, the output shaft includes splines and the pinion includes a slot with spline contours. In some further embodiments, a starter control system includes a starter that is capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit.
1 . A starter comprising:
an output shaft coupled to a pinion including pinion teeth,
the pinion configured and arranged for bi-directional movement with respect to a rotational axis of the output shaft;
at least one solenoid coil winding at least partially circumferentially surrounding the pinion, the pinion teeth and the output shaft,
the solenoid coil winding configured and arranged to provide a magnetic field flux within at least one of the pinion and the output shaft to induce at least some of the bi-directional pinion movement.
2 . The starter of claim 1 , further including at least one pinion biasing member coupled to the output shaft and the pinion, the at least one pinion biasing member configured and arranged to at least partially move the pinion.
3 . The starter of claim 1 , wherein the output shaft further comprises helical splines and the pinion includes a slot with a helical spline contour; and
wherein the pinion is configured and arranged to enable bi-directional movement of the pinion on the helical splines when coupled with the helical spline contour.
4 . The starter of claim 1 , wherein the output shaft further comprises straight splines and the pinion includes a slot with a straight spline contour; and
wherein the pinion is configured and arranged to enable bi-directional movement of the pinion on the straight splines when coupled with the straight spline contour.
5 . The starter of claim 1 , wherein the pinion further includes a sleeve at least partially circumscribing the pinion.
6 . The starter of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve comprises a low carbon steel.
7 . The starter of claim 1 , further comprising:
a stop structure,
configured and arranged to prevent over-travel of the pinion on the output shaft.
8 . The starter of claim 1 further comprising a guide structure configured and arranged to guide the pinion.
9 . A starter capable of being controlled by an electronic control unit, the starter further comprising:
a motor configured and arranged to be coupled to an engine;
a clutch and a planetary gear set;
an output shaft coupled to a pinion including pinion teeth,
the pinion configured and arranged for bi-directional movement with respect to a rotational axis of the output shaft;
at least one solenoid coil winding at least partially circumferentially surrounding the pinion, the pinion teeth and the output shaft,
the solenoid coil winding configured and arranged to provide a magnetic field flux encircling at least one of the pinion and the output shaft sufficient to induce at least some of the bi-directional movement; and
wherein in response to a signal from the electronic control unit, the pinion can be actuated to engage a ring gear of the engine.
10 . The starter of claim 9 , further including at least one pinion biasing member coupled to the output shaft and the pinion, the at least one pinion biasing member configured and arranged to at least partially move the pinion.
11 . The starter of claim 9 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured and arranged to enable a current flow through at the least one solenoid coil winding and the motor.
12 . The starter of claim 11 , wherein a priming current can be coupled to the motor in response to an occurrence of a change of mind stop-start starting episode.