Title of the Invention
ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH DEVICE FOR STARTER

Background of the Invention

1.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic switch device for a starter which starts up an engine mounted in, for example, vehicles.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Hitherto, particularly a lot of starters for starting engines have been used in vehicles. However, in recent years, the number of vehicles equipped with an idling stop function as a method of improving vehicle fuel consumption has increased. In the case of adopting a configuration in which a starter is used for restarting after an idling stop as in normal engine starting, the number of the use of the starter is increased; and therefore, improvement in durability of the starter is required.

On the other hand, an engine room of a vehicle is arranged with numerous constituent components such as devices necessary for driving an engine and transmissions necessary for transmitting power obtained from the engine to tires, in addition to its engine body and starter; and therefore, other constituent components are densely provided in a surrounding area where the starter is located. Recently, in order to improve engine performance, the number of constituent components has increased and the constituent components have increased in size; and therefore, the importance of downsizing of the starter is increased.

As a conventional electromagnetic switch device for a starter, for example, a starter mechanism for starting an engine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-42437 (1981) is known.

The mechanism includes an electromagnetic unit which makes a pinion engage with a ring gear and an electromagnetic switch provided in parallel to and separately from the electromagnetic unit.

Since the electromagnetic switch device for the starter disclosed in the above described conventional Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-42437 (1981) includes a technique which prevents engaging defects between the pinion and the ring gear, there is a beneficial effect for mounting to a vehicle equipped with an idling stop function. However, the electromagnetic unit and the electromagnetic switch protrude to a radially outer circumference of a motor; and therefore, there arises a problem in that the shape of such a protrusion is inconsistent with downsizing as the whole starter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic switch device for a starter capable of downsizing by coaxially arranging an electromagnetic relay and an electromagnet in series.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetic switch device for a starter including: an electromagnetic relay which opens or closes a motor circuit and has a movable core and a fixed core; and an electromagnet which moves a pinion gear in a direction toward a ring gear and has a movable core and a fixed core. A central axis of the movable core of the electromagnetic relay and a central axis of the movable core of the electromagnet are coaxially arranged in series. A yoke which constitutes an outer frame serving as a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic relay and a yoke which constitutes an outer frame serving as a magnetic circuit of the electromagnet are structured in one body. There is provided an outlet portion which is provided protruding from a winding frame of the electromagnet, is engaged passing through a winding frame of the electromagnetic relay, and protects an outlet wire of an excitation coil of the electromagnet.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetic switch device for a starter including: an electromagnetic relay which opens or closes a motor circuit and has a movable core and a fixed core; and an electromagnet which moves a pinion gear in a direction toward a ring gear and has a movable core and a fixed core. A central axis of the movable core of the electromagnetic relay and a central axis of the movable core of the electromagnet are coaxially arranged in series. A yoke which constitutes an outer frame serving as a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic relay and a yoke which constitutes an outer frame serving as a magnetic circuit of the electromagnet are structured in one body. The electromagnetic switch device for the starter includes a battery terminal to which wiring from a battery is connected and a motor terminal to which wiring from a motor is connected; and an excitation terminal of the electromagnet and an excitation terminal of the electromagnetic relay are located in any one region of two regions divided by a line which connects the centers between the battery terminal and the motor terminal.

In an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to the present invention, an electromagnetic relay and an electromagnet are coaxially arranged in series; and an outlet portion which is provided protruding from a winding frame of the electromagnet, is engaged passing through a winding frame of the electromagnetic relay, and protects an outlet wire of an excitation coil of the electromagnet is included; thereby making it possible to provide the electromagnetic switch device for the starter in which downsizing can be done and positioning of the winding frame of the electromagnetic relay and the winding frame of the electromagnet can be performed.

Furthermore, in an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to the present invention, an excitation terminal of an electromagnet and an excitation terminal of an electromagnetic relay are located in any one region of two regions divided by a line which connects the centers between a battery terminal and a motor terminal, thereby making it possible to provide the electromagnetic switch device for the starter in which workability can be improved.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram in which a starter equipped with an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in a partial section;

Fig. 2 is a connection diagram of the starter equipped with the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram in which the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 3 in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3 in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagram in which the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the bottom side of a yoke;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a diagram in which a winding frame of an electromagnetic relay in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the winding frame of the electromagnetic relay taken along the line B-B of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a diagram in which a winding frame of an electromagnet in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side;

Fig. 12 is a diagram in which the winding frame of the electromagnet in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the bottom side of the yoke;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to an embodiment 2 of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a diagram in which an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to an embodiment 3 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention, the view being associated with the sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 5;

Fig. 16 is a diagram in which a winding frame of an electromagnetic relay in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the winding frame of the electromagnetic relay of the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention, the view being associated with the sectional view taken along the line B-B of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a winding frame of an electromagnet of the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention, the view being associated with the sectional view taken along the line C-C of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 19 is a diagram in which the winding frame of the electromagnet in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 3 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1.

Hereinafter, an embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described on the basis of Fig. 1 to Fig. 12. Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram in which a starter equipped with an electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in a partial section. Fig. 2 is a connection diagram of the starter equipped with the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram in which the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 3 in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3 in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a diagram in which the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the bottom side of a yoke. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a diagram in which a winding frame of an electromagnetic relay in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the winding frame of the electromagnetic relay taken along the line B-B of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of Fig. 5 showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a diagram in which a winding frame of an electromagnet in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the terminal block side. Fig. 12 is a diagram in which the winding frame of the electromagnet in the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention is seen from the bottom side of the yoke.

In the respective figures, the starter includes a motor 1 which generates rotational force; an output shaft 2 which takes out the' rotational force from the motor 1; an over-running clutch 3 which is axially slidably arranged on the output shaft 2, to which the rotational force of the motor 1 is transmitted from the output shaft 2; a pinion gear 5 which is a constituent component of the over-running clutch 3 and transmits the rotational force of the motor 1 transmitted to the over-running clutch 3 to a ring gear 4 of an engine; and an electromagnetic switch device for a starter 10 equipped with an electromagnetic relay 7 which is provided with a main contact 6 constituting a motor circuit and opens or closes the main contact 6, and an electromagnet 9 which is coaxially arranged in series to the electromagnetic relay 7 on the axial shift lever 8 side and moves the pinion gear 5 in a direction toward the ring gear 4 via the axial shift lever 8.

Next, a configuration of the electromagnetic switch device for the starter 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. The electromagnetic switch device for the starter 10 is largely divided into a yoke 12, the electromagnetic relay 7, and the electromagnet 9. The electromagnet 9 and the electromagnetic relay 7 are placed in due order in the yoke 12 to configure and serve as the electromagnetic switch device for the starter 10.

First, the yoke 12 is made of a magnetic material in order to constitute magnetic circuits of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the electromagnet 9, and is a cup shaped component which forms outer circumferences of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the electromagnet 9 in one body. The yoke 12 includes a caulking portion 12b, a fitting portion 12c, a body portion 12d, a bottom portion 12a, female screws 12e, and a through hole 12f. The caulking portion 12b is provided at the opening portion end and is a thin cylindrical shape to be bent to the inner circumference side after inserting a terminal block 11. The fitting portion 12c is a portion to which a first fixed core 14 of the electromagnetic relay 7 is fitted; and the electromagnet 9 and the electromagnetic relay 7 are inserted to an inner circumference of the body portion 12d. The bottom portion 12a comes in contact with a front bracket 15; and the female screws 12e are set for fastening to the front bracket 15 by fastening screws (not shown in the figure). The through hole 12f is a portion through which a supporting member 16 passes through; and a movable core 17 of the electromagnet 9 which is coupled to the axial shift lever 8 is slidably located.

Next, the electromagnetic relay 7 will be described. The electromagnetic relay 7 includes a movable core 18, an excitation coil 19, a winding frame 20, a supporting member 21, the first fixed core 14, a second fixed core 22, a gasket 23, a rod 24, a return spring 25, the terminal block 11, and a non-magnetic member 13.

The movable core 18 is made of a magnetic material, constitutes a magnetic circuit, is axially biased to the second fixed core 22 side by the force of the return spring 25, and is axially slidably retained to an inner circumferential face of the supporting member 21.

The excitation coil 19 is made of a conductive material and wound to the winding frame 20; and the ends of the excitation coil 19 are drawn as outlet wires 19a and 19b from outlet portions 20a and 20b of the winding frame 20. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 5 and is a diagram showing a state of the outlet wires 19a and 19b drawn from the winding frame 20. The outlet wire 19a on the winding start side at the one end is drawn outside the terminal block 11 passing through the outlet portion 20a and a fixing member 26, and is fixed conductably to an excitation terminal 27. The outlet wire on the winding end side 19b at the other end is drawn to the terminal block 11 side of the fixed core 14 passing through the outlet portion 20b, and is fixed conductably to an end face on the terminal block 11 side of the fixed core 14.

The winding frame 20 is made of an insulating material and is constituted by a body portion, a wall on the terminal block 11 side, and a wall on the electromagnet 9 side. The body portion is a hollow cylindrical shape; and the excitation coil 19 is wound in a space which is constituted by the body portion, the wall on the terminal block 11 side, and the wall on the electromagnet 9 side. The wall on the terminal block 11 side includes an abutment face of the fixed core 14 and the outlet portions 20a and 20b protruded to the terminal block 11 side, and the outlet wires 19a and 19b of the excitation coil 19 are drawn from grooves provided at the outlet portions 20a and 20b. The outlet portions include the outlet portion 20a which draws the outlet wire on the winding start side 19a of the electromagnetic relay 7, and the outlet portion 20b which draws an outlet wire on the winding start side 28a of an excitation coil 28 of the electromagnet 9 together with the outlet wire on the winding end side 19b of the electromagnetic relay 7. The outlet portions 20a and 20b are provided at positions opposed by 180°, pass through cutouts 14a of the first fixed core 14, and are fitted to fitting holes 11a of the terminal block 11; and accordingly, positioning in rotational direction is performed. A wall 20c is located inside the outlet portion 20b to insulate between the outlet wire 28a of the electromagnet 9 and the outlet wire 19b of the electromagnetic relay 7. Furthermore, a wall is provided on the outer circumference side to electrically insulate between the outlet wire 28a and the yoke 12 . A cutout 20d (to be described later) through which an outlet portion 29a of a winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9 passes through is provided on the wall on the electromagnet 9 side, and positioning in rotational direction of the winding frame 20 of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9 is performed by the outlet portion 29a of the electromagnet 9 and the cutout 20d of the winding frame 20. Incidentally, reference numeral 20e is a pass-through groove through which the outlet wire 19a passes through; 20f is a fitting portion to which an outer circumferential brim (not shown in the figure) of the supporting member 21 is fitted; 20g is a hollow portion of the winding frame 20; and 20h is a pass-through hole through which the outlet wire 28a passes through.

The supporting member 21 is made of a non-magnetic material and is located on an inner circumference of the body portion of the winding frame 20; the inner circumferential face forms a slide face of the movable core 18; and the end on the second fixed core 22 side is fitted to an inner circumference of the second fixed core 22. An inner circumferential face of the end of the supporting member 21 on the first fixed core 14 side is fitted to an outer circumference of the first fixed core 14. The end on the first fixed core 14 side is bent to the outside and fixed by being sandwiched between the first fixed core 14 and the winding frame 20. The inner circumferential face except for a fitting portion on the terminal block 11 side forms the slide face of the movable core 18.

The first fixed core 14 is made of a magnetic material and constitutes a magnetic circuit; a small outer diameter portion is fitted to the inner circumference of the supporting member 21; a large outer diameter portion is fitted to the yoke 12; the end face on the terminal block 11 side is a contact face of the gasket 23 and the face to which the outlet wire on the winding end side 19b of the excitation coil 19 is fixed conductably; an end face on the movable core 18 side is an abutment face of the movable core 18; and a through hole through which the rod 24 is axially slidable is provided on a central portion. External force (clamping torque in the case of clamping nuts 32 to a battery terminal 30 and a motor terminal 31) applied to the terminal block 11 needs to be received by the first fixed core 14 via the outlet portions 20a and 20b of the winding frame 20; and therefore, an inner diameter of the yoke 12 and an outer diameter of the first fixed core 14 are dimensionally set in an interference fit (an interference fit is a fastening where a component enters a matching hole with a slightly smaller diameter) . For example, the dimension is set to be the inner diameter of the yoke 12the outer diameter of the second fixed core 22.

The gasket 23 is made of an insulating material having elasticity and is located in a state where contact pressure is provided between the first fixed core 14 and the terminal block 11 to waterproof a contact chamber 37b serving as a space configured between an inner wall of the terminal block 11 and the first fixed core 14.

A contact spring 34, insulating materials 35a and 35b, and a movable contact 36 are axially slidably retained to the rod 24 by a fixing member 33. The movable contact 36 is located at a position in face-to-face relation with fixed contacts 30a and 31a so that the contact spring 34 biases the movable contact 36 in a direction toward the fixed contacts 30a and 31a and the insulating materials 35a and 35b insulate the movable contact 36.

The return spring 25 is located between the terminal block 11 and the fixing member 33 so as to bias the rod 24 and the movable core 18 in a direction toward the second fixed core 22.

The terminal block 11 includes an insulating member 37, the excitation terminal 27 of the electromagnetic relay 7, an excitation terminal 38 of the electromagnet 9, the fixing members 26 which fix the excitation terminals 27 and 38, the battery terminal 30, the motor terminal 31, the gasket 39, and fixing members 40 which fix the battery terminal 30 and the motor terminal 31.

The insulating member 37 is made of an insulating material and includes through holes 37a which are for fixing the excitation terminals 27 and 38, the battery terminal 30, and the motor terminal 31; the contact chamber 37b serving as the space where the movable contact 36 is axially movable in a direction toward the fixed contacts 30a and 31a side; and an abutment face 37c of the gasket 23 provided at an end face on the first fixed core 14 side. The excitation terminals 27 and 38 are terminals capable of attaching/detaching wiring on the vehicle side to/from the excitation coils 19 and 28; and the fixing member 26 is a hollow cylindrical shape through which the outlet wire 19a or 28a passes through, and fixes the excitation terminal 27 or 38 in a manner where the end thereof is enlarged.

The battery terminal 30 includes the fixed contact 30a which constitutes the main contact 6 on the movable contact 36 side; and on the opposite side thereof, a threaded portion 30b to which wiring from a battery on the vehicle side is connected. The motor terminal 31 includes the fixed contact 31a which constitutes the main contact 6 on the movable contact 36 side; and on the opposite side thereof, a threaded portion 31b to which wiring from the motor 1 is connected .The battery terminal 30 and the motor terminal 31 are fixed to the insulating member 37 by the fixing members 40.

The non-magnetic member 13 is made of a non-magnetic material and separates the magnetic circuits of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the electromagnet 9; end faces on the electromagnetic relay 7 side come in contact with the movable core 18 and the second fixed core 22; end faces on the electromagnet 9 side come in contact with
the fixed core 41; and an inner circumference has a dimensional relationship with the second fixed core 22 in an interference fit. For example, the dimensional relationship is set to be an inner diameter of the non-magnetic member 13the outer diameter of the fixed core 41.

The return spring 42 is located between the fixed core 41 and the movable core 17 to bias the movable core 17 to the axial shift lever 8 side.

The movable core 17 is made of a magnetic material and includes an engaging member 43, a pinion biasing spring 44, and a fixing member 45. The movable core 17 is axially slidably retained to the inner circumferential face of the supporting member 16 and is biased in a direction toward the axial shift lever 8 by the force of the return spring 42. The engaging member 43 is a member which engages with the axial shift lever 8 and the movable core 17; a large diameter portion of the one end on the movable core 17 side comes in contact with the pinion biasing spring 44; and the other end is engaged with the axial shift lever 8. The pinion biasing spring 44 is located between the engaging member 43 and the fixing member 45, and when the amount of movement of the movable core 17 in a direction toward the fixed core 41 is larger than that in a direction toward the engaging member 43, the axial shift lever 8 is biased in the direction toward the fixed core 41.

Next, a method of assembling the electromagnetic switch device for the starter 10 will be described. An assembly jig is used for assembling the electromagnetic switch device for the starter 10. The assembly jig includes a flat surface which comes into contact with the bottom portion of the yoke 12 and positioning pins which are fitted to the female screws 12e. The length of the positioning pin is extended to the height at which the positioning pin is fitted to the relief portion 29c of the winding frame 29; and therefore, it becomes possible to perform positioning in rotational direction between the yoke 12 and the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9.

First, the opening portion of the yoke 12 is mounted on the assembly j ig in a direction toward the top. Next, the electromagnet 9 is inserted toward the bottom portion 12a from the opening portion of the yoke 12 (the return spring 42 of the electromagnet 9 and the movable core 17 may be assembled after completion of assembling other components) . A dimensional relationship between the yoke 12 and the fixed core 41 is in a clearance fit; and therefore, large force is not required in inserting. For example, the dimensional relationship is the inner diameter of the yoke 12>the outer diameter of the fixed core 41.

The position of the electromagnet 9 with respect to the yoke 12 is determined as follows: a vertical position depends on that the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9 comes into contact with the bottom port ion 12a; a radial position depends on the inner diameter of the yoke 12 and the outer diameter of the fixed core 41 of the electromagnet 9; and a circumferential (rotational direction) position depends on the positioning pins of the assembly jig and the relief portions 29c of the winding frame 29.

Subsequently, the electromagnetic relay 7 is inserted; first, portions excluding the terminal block 11 and the return spring 25 are inserted. At this time, the position in the rotational direction is determined by the outlet portion 29a of the electromagnet 9 and the cutout 20d of the winding frame 20 of the electromagnetic relay 7. After completion of the insertion, the fixed core 14 is fixed to the yoke 12 by press-fitting; and accordingly, a radial position and a vertical position are determined.

Subsequently, the caulking portion 12b of the yoke 12 is sealed by caulking to fix the terminal block 11 in a state where the return spring 25 and the terminal block 11 are inserted and the terminal block 11 is pressed in a direction toward the fixed core 14 by a load more than the load combined by the reaction force of the return spring 25 and the reaction force of the gasket 23.

Next, operation of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the electromagnet 9 will be described. First, as for the operation of the electromagnetic relay 7, when a voltage is applied to the excitation terminal 27, an electric current flows in the excitation coil 19 and a magnetic field is generated. When the current becomes not less than a predetermined current, electromagnetic force which acts between the movable core 18 and the fixed core 14 overcomes the return spring 25, the contact spring 34, and friction resistance; and accordingly, the movable core 18 is attracted to the fixed core 14. The rod 24 comes in contact with the end face of the movable core 18 on the fixed core 14 side; and therefore, the rod 24 also moves together when the movable core 18 moves in the direction toward the fixed core 14. When the rod 24 moves, the movable contact 36 retained to the rod 24 also moves; and when the movable core 18 moves by a predetermined amount, the movable contact 36 comes into contact with the fixed contacts 30a and 31a.

Further, when the movable core 18 moves in the direction toward the fixed core 14, a load of the contact spring 34 is exerted between the movable contact 36 and the fixed contacts 30a and 31a. When the movable contact 36 comes in contact with the fixed contacts 30a and 31a, an electric power is supplied from the battery to the motor 1 to rotate the motor 1. When the voltage applied to the excitation terminal 27 is stopped, the current does not flow in the excitation coil 19, the mag74netic field is disappeared, and the rod 24 and the movable core 18 are returned to original positions by loads of the return spring 25 and the contact spring 34 / accordingly, the movable contact 36 and the fixed contacts 30a and 31a are separated and the electric power is not supplied from the battery; and therefore, the motor 1 is stopped.

Subsequently, operation of the electromagnet 9 will be described. When a voltage is applied to the excitation terminal 38 of the electromagnet 9, a current flows in the excitation coil 28 and a magnetic field is generated. When the current becomes not less than a predetermined current, electromagnetic force which acts between the movable core 17 and the fixed core 41 overcomes the return spring 42, the pinion biasing spring 44, and frictional force; and accordingly, the movable core 17 is attracted to the fixed core 41. When the movable core 17 is attracted in the direction toward the fixed core 41, the pinion gear 5 moves in the direction toward the ring gear 4 via the axial shift lever 8. However, in the case where end faces of the pinion gear 5 and the ring gear 4 come in contact with each other and the pinion gear 5 does not engage with a tooth surface of the ring gear 4, only the movable core 17 further moves; and accordingly, the amount of deflection of the pinion biasing spring 44 is generated and the pinion gear 5 is biased in the direction toward the ring gear 4 via the axial shift lever 8 by a load of the pinion biasing spring 44.

In the embodiment 1, a central axis of the movable core 18 of the electromagnetic relay 7 and a central axis of the movable core 17 of the electromagnet 9 are coaxially arranged in series; the yoke 12 which constitutes the outer frame serving as the magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the yoke 12 which constitutes the outer frame serving as the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet 9 are structured in one body; and accordingly, downsizing can be done. In addition, there is provided the outlet portion 29a which is provided protruding from the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9, is engaged passing through the winding frame 20 of the electromagnetic relay 7, and protects the outlet wire 28a of the excitation coil 28 of the electromagnet 9; and accordingly, positioning in circumferential direction (rotational direction) of the winding frame 20 of the electromagnetic relay 7 and the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9 can be performed.

Furthermore, in the embodiment 1, the outlet portions 20a and 20b protruded from the winding frame 20 of the electromagnetic relay 7 or the outlet portions 29a and 29b protruded from the winding frame 29 of the electromagnet 9 are fitted to the fitting holes 11a provided in the terminal block 11 of the electromagnetic relay 7, the terminal block 11 being located on the axially opposite side to the electromagnet 9 and being provided with the main contact 6 which constitutes a main circuit; and accordingly, positioning
in rotational direction of the winding frame 20 and the terminal
block 11 of the electromagnetic relay 7 can be performed.

Embodiment 2.

An electromagnetic switch device for a starter according to an embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described on the basis of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing the electromagnetic switch device for the starter according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention. An inner diameter of a yoke 12 located at an outer circumference of an electromagnetic relay 7 according to the embodiment 2 is configured to be larger than the inner diameter of the yoke 12 located at an outer circumference
of an electromagnet 9. In addition, an outer diameter of a first fixed core 14 of the electromagnetic relay 7 is configured to be larger than an outer diameter of a fixed core 41 of the electromagnet 9.

The inner diameter of a body portion 12d of the yoke 12 in the embodiment 2 of the present invention shows a case where, for example, the inner diameter is divided into 6 levels. The size of the inner diameter of the body portion 12d of the yoke 12 is configured as follows: a first body portion 12dl