Patent attributes
A starter which may employed in starting an engine is provided. The starter includes an electromagnetic actuator and a pinion carrier. The pinion carrier includes a pinion and a holder. The holder retains a shift lever and transmits movement of the shift lever, as achieved by a magnetic attraction produced by the electromagnetic actuator, to the pinion, thereby shifting the pinion into engagement with a ring gear joined to, for example, an engine. The holder is made of material smaller in specific gravity than the pinion. Specifically, the holder is lower in mass or weight than the pinion, thereby permitting the magnetic attraction required to shift the pinion carrier through the shift lever to be decreased. This permits the electromagnetic actuator to be decreased in size.
