There is provided an engine starting device, including: a motor generator coupled to a crankshaft of an engine; and a starter including a pinion provided in a detachable manner from a ring gear provided on the crankshaft, and configured to mesh with the ring gear when the engine is started, wherein the engine is cranked through simultaneous cranking by both of the motor generator and the starter when a condition set in advance is satisfied, and wherein, in the simultaneous cranking, the starter starts rotating after the motor generator starts rotating.

A starter system including a motor, a solenoid assembly having a solenoid switch, a pinion rotated by the motor and moveable into an engaging position in which an engine may be cranked and the solenoid switch is closed to energize the motor from an electric power source, and relay switch regulated by a controller and closed to apply electrical power to the solenoid assembly for actuating the solenoid switch. The controller repeatedly opens and closes relay switch during a starting operation if sensed motor energization voltage monitored by the controller falls below a predetermined threshold level within a predetermined time period after electrical power is applied to the solenoid assembly, whereby electrical power applications to the solenoid assembly are automatically repeated during a starting operation to correct click-no-crank events and prevent prolonged power application to the solenoid assembly. A related method is also disclosed.

A method of controlling a motor assembly for starting an engine and driving a balance shaft includes: determining whether starting or restarting of an engine is desired; operating an actuator such that a motor shaft is moved forward when the starting or restarting of the engine is desired; and starting or restarting the engine by rotating a motor and by driving a start gear, after the operating the actuator.

A method of controlling a motor assembly for starting an engine and driving a balance shaft includes: determining whether starting or restarting of an engine is desired; operating an actuator such that a motor shaft is moved forward when the starting or restarting of the engine is desired; and starting or restarting the engine by rotating a motor and by driving a start gear, after the operating the actuator.

In a starter, current is passed through a solenoid to use the generated electromagnetic force when pushing a pinion gear toward a ring gear, so that the ring gear is engaged with the pinion gear. For this purpose, the starter includes an electromagnetic solenoid, a spring for urging the pinion gear in a direction opposite to that of the electromagnetic solenoid, a connecting member connected to the pinion gear, a stopper for limiting movement of the connecting member to a predetermined position. Being urged by the spring, the pinion gear is disengaged from the ring gear, and the connecting member is retracted to a predetermined position. The starter includes a control circuit that implements control of passing a predetermined current through the solenoid after the disengagement but before retraction of the connecting member to the predetermined position.

In a starter, current is passed through a solenoid to use the generated electromagnetic force when pushing a pinion gear toward a ring gear, so that the ring gear is engaged with the pinion gear. For this purpose, the starter includes an electromagnetic solenoid, a spring for urging the pinion gear in a direction opposite to that of the electromagnetic solenoid, a connecting member connected to the pinion gear, a stopper for limiting movement of the connecting member to a predetermined position. Being urged by the spring, the pinion gear is disengaged from the ring gear, and the connecting member is retracted to a predetermined position. The starter includes a control circuit that implements control of passing a predetermined current through the solenoid after the disengagement but before retraction of the connecting member to the predetermined position.

An engine is disclosed having a starter clutch ring gear, and a crank case having an integral starter pinion accepting member defining a through bore, and a gear assembly having an exterior surface configured to engage a flywheel and an surface engaging the second of the shaft. A starter pinion shaft is disposed through the through bore. The integral starter pinion accepting member defines a surface coupled to an engine mount.

An engine is disclosed having a starter clutch ring gear, and a crank case having an integral starter pinion accepting member defining a through bore, and a gear assembly having an exterior surface configured to engage a flywheel and an surface engaging the second of the shaft. A starter pinion shaft is disposed through the through bore. The integral starter pinion accepting member defines a surface coupled to an engine mount.

The invention relates to a switching device (10) of a starting device for an engine, comprising: two terminals (11, 12) of a supply electrical circuit of a motor; a solenoid device (13) having an axis (14) and comprising: a solenoid coil (16) wound around ON said axis (14); a plunger (17) which is partially housed in the solenoid coil (16) and which includes a core (18) and a contact plate N (21); wherein, when electric current passes through the solenoid coil (16), the plunger (17) is caused to move axially from an inactive position to an active position, thereby moving a pinion gear of the motor into engagement with a ring gear of the engine, in which active position the contact plate (21) is in contact with the terminals (11,12) for closing the motor supply circuit; a relay (30) having an axis and comprising: a relay coil (36); a movable member (31) which, when electric current passes through the relay coil (36), is caused to move from an open position in which electric current cannot pass through the solenoid coil (16), to a closed position in which electric current is made to pass through the solenoid coil (16); the solenoid device (13) and the relay (30) having one and the same axis (14).

A number of variations may include a solenoid assembly comprising: a shaft; a pinion-plunger operatively attached to the shaft and having a first end comprising a plurality of teeth; a plurality of iron cores surrounding at least a portion of the pinion-plunger and the shaft; at least one solenoid coil winding and at least one spool surrounding each of the plurality of iron cores; a stop adjacent a first end of the plurality of iron cores; a guide adjacent a second end of the plurality of iron cores opposite of the stop; a biasing member in operative communication with the first end the pinion-plunger; and wherein the solenoid assembly is constructed and arranged so that when the solenoid assembly is activated the pinion-plunger is magnetically drawn toward the stop.