INTRODUCTION
What is a starter
A starter or starter motor is an electrical device that is used to rotate (crank) internal
combustion engines so as to initiate the engine’s operation under its own power. As
soon as the engine begins to run, it gets disconnected from the engine, which now
relies on the combustion process.
What is a starter motor
The starter motor is a type of high-torque motor used to start
vehicle engines. It’s also called a cranking motor, starting motor, or
simply starter. The motor is commonly used in vehicles with Internal
combustion engine . These engines require an external force to turn
them over and start the combustion cycle. The starter motor
performs that function perfectly.
TYPES OF STARTER MORTOR
1. Inertia starter
2. Pre-engaged starter
3. Field coil starter
4. Permanent magnet starter
5. Gear reduction starter
FUNCTIONS OF STATER MOTOR
The primary function of a starter motor in an automobile engine is to start the engine
so it can work on its power. This is achieved due to the high torque rotation from the
starter motor, which is used to turn the engine at fast speeds. The starter motor gives
the engine the first or second rotation it needs to start working on its own.
It converts the electric energy from the battery into mechanical energy.
Also it provides the mechanism to engage with the flywheel crank the engine.
Without the motor’s input, you would have a difficult setting the engine in
motion
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How a Starter Motor Works
Here is the starter motor working principle explained in steps.
1. The motor contains an armature rotating inside a magnetic field. The
armature shaft ends in a pinion and, in some types of the starter, a set of
gears. When your turn on the ignition key of press the engine starting button,
a current flows through the ignition circuit and activates the starter relay. The
relay on the other hand, sends power to a part of starter motor called starter
solenoid.
2. The starter motor solenoid acts as a large switch or relay and sends
current from the battery directly to the motor. The solenoid also moves a
lever, helping to push a pinion gear to mesh with the ring gear on the flywheel
or flex [Link] two events happen almost concurrently. The motor then
rotates the flywheel, turning the engine over and starting it.
3. When you release the ignition key, the ignition circuit stops sending
current and the starter relay disconnects power to the starter solenoid. With
the starter solenoid having no current flowing, it loses its magnetism and
releases the plunger.
4. The plunger returns to its former position, disconnecting the motor
circuit and pulling back the pinion drive gear from the flywheel or flex plate.
At this time, the engine can run on its own. There are several ways that
manufacturers ensure the starter motor engagement and disengagement
happens smoothly. They include the following.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION OF THE
TYPES OF STARTER MOTOR AND
CLASSIFICATION
There several starter motor types. Their classification is mainly based on the
type of magnet used, the method to engage or disengage the pinion with the
flywheel, and the mechanism to increase torque. Some are commonly used in
older cars while others are mostly found in newer vehicles. The types of
starters are explained below.
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Based on Type of Magnet
1. Permanent Magnet Starter
In this type of starter motor, a series of permanent magnets are used to
rotate the armature. Permanent magnet starter motor advantages include
their reliable operation, which makes the suit a wide range of applications. A
permanent magnet starter motor is also usually compact since there are no
coils inside except those of the armature. To multiply torque, these starters
commonly employ a gear reduction mechanism.
2. Field Coil Starter
A field coil starter motor uses electromagnets instead of permanent magnets.
These starters are usually large as they have to pack a long coil of wire wound
on a magnetic core . Field coil starters are quite powerful, though, and often
used without a gear reduction drive. Unlike those that use permanent
magnets, field coil starter motors strain the battery and drain it too quickly.
Based on Engagement Method
1. Inertia Starter
The inertia type of starter motor is a traditional design but still used in some
automobiles. It consists of an electric motor and a splined shaft. A pinion gear
is inserted on the shaft and free to move. The starter motor depends on the
principle of inertia to engage and disengage with the flywheel, making it a
simple starter.
During operation, the shaft spins as soon as the motor receives current.
However, due to inertia, the heavy pinion does not spin with the shaft at once.
Instead, it slowly moves along the shaft to toward the flywheel. A powerful
spring behind the pinion helps to ensure a smooth engagement.
When the engine starts turning on its own, the pinion cannot keep up with the
speed. Instead, it’s thrown out of engagement with the flywheel and back
along the splined shaft of the motor. An inertia starter motor engages and
disengages violently and is known to wear the drive gear quickly, sometimes
even breaking it.
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2. Pre-engaged Starter
Most cars today use the pre- engaged starter motors. The starter consists of
an electric motor but with a more effective solenoid-driven pinion. The
construction basically consists of the motor, a solenoid mounted to the top of
the motor and a fork or lever to push the pinion to engage with the flywheel.
An over-running clutch is also used to prevent the flywheel from driving the
motor once the engine starts.
The operation of the pre-engaged starter motor has already been explained.
Turning the engine starting key or pushing the START button activates the
solenoid which, in turn pulls a plunger. The plunger closes the motor circuit
while at the same time moving a lever and pushing the pinion to mesh with
the flywheel gear.
Cutting off the current to the solenoid has an opposite effect. The motor stops
spinning and the pinion withdrawal. Pre-engaged starter motors provide a
smoother engagement and disengagement. There’s less wear on the pinion
gear. Other advantages include the reliable operation.
Based on Torque Multiplication
1. Gear Reduction Starter
The gear reduction starter motor is named so for having a gear setup to
increase torque. The pinion gear in these types of starter motors is not
installed on the armature shaft. Instead, the armature contains a gear that
turns another set of gears to provide an increase in torque. The pinion is then
mounted in a separate assembly.
The working of the gear reduction starter does not differ from that of the
others. However, it’s usually more powerful compared to the types
mentioned, and usually more compact. Because of the gear reduction design,
these starters do not drain the battery as quickly as the other types and are
often used in demanding applications.
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PARTS OF STARTER MOTOR AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Starter Motor Field Coil/Magnet
The field coils are the electromagnet that provide the magnetic flux to turn
the armature. They mount to the housing and consist of copper wires around
magnetic cores or pole shoes. In some types of starters, permanent magnets
are used instead of field coils.
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Starter Motor Housing
This is the outer casing and usually made from metal. The housing protects
the different internal components from the effects of corrosive materials,
impact and other forms of damage. In most types of the starter, the casing
splits into two pieces held together by long bolts.
Starter Motor Armature
Also known as the rotor, the armature is the part of starter motor that turns
when the motor is in operation. It’s made up of these components: copper
wire windings around a magnetic core, a commutator to conduct current to
the coils, and a shaft to hold the parts as the armature rotates. The shaft ends
in a bearing to smoothen rotation and a pinion drive gear in some starters.
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Starter Motor Brushes
The starter brushes are arranged around the commutator and held in brush holders. They connect
to the circuit that brings current to the motor. The brushes are responsible for transferring the
current to the armature coils or rotor. They are usually made of carbon or graphite and prone to
wear over time.
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Starter Motor Bendix
This is the name given to the part that transfers the motor rotation to the
flywheel ring gear. The starter Bendix primarily consists of a pinion gear and a
method to push the gear toward the flywheel. In some starters, the Bendix
uses inertia to engage with the flywheel. In a majority of starters today, the
Bendix is a solenoid-operated mechanism. These starter types also include
an over-running clutch to prevent the engine from driving the motor.
Starter Motor Solenoid
Also called the starter solenoid, this is the part used in newer starter types
operate the Bendix drive. The solenoid also switches the starter motor circuit,
connecting the motor and the battery directly. It’s one of the most important
parts of the starter assembly. Inside the solenoid housing are several
components. These include a set of coils (pull-in and hold-in coil), a plunger,
and contacts.
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Starter Motor Lever
The starter motor lever is the forked arm found in solenoid-operated starter
motors. The lever moves the pinion drive to engage the flywheel, and back
once the engine can run on its own. The solenoid is responsible for moving the
fork back and forth during the engine starting session.
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Conclusion
The starter motor performs an important function in your vehicle. It ensures
the car starts when you want it to by turning over and cranking the engine. As
described in this chapter, different types of the starter motor use various
components to ensure sufficient torque and proper engagement with the
flywheel. Over time, though, these starter motor components wear or break
down, causing the starter to fail. Find out what cause starter issues and the
ways to correct
REFERENCE
Okazaki Group,Schneider Electiv,Sathyabama,The Engineering
Mindset,[Link],Scribd,ResearchGate,IRJMETS,Science
[Link]
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