Patent ID: 6028381
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: F02N

Abstract:
A starter comprising:a direct current motor including a motor housing having disposed therein a rotor having an armature coil wound over an armature core and a commutator electrically connected to said armature coil, a first brush on the plus side for supplying an electric current to said commutator, and a second brush on the minus side;an electromagnetic switch including a switch housing having disposed therein a first terminal electrically connected to an external power supply, a second terminal electrically connected to said first brush, and a movable contact point for connecting and disconnecting between said first terminal and said second terminal, for leading a current from said external power supply to said direct current motor through said first terminal, said movable contact point, said second terminal, and said first brush; andan electric current interruption mechanism adapted to melt upon reaching a predetermined temperature so as to totally cut off supply of an electric current to said direct current motor, wherein said electric current interruption mechanism is provided in a conductive route interconnecting an end of a lead wire extended from said first brush and said second terminal, at a position outside both said motor housing and said switch housing;wherein said electric current interruption mechanism is a fuse having a minimum current route section area which is smaller than current route section areas of any other electrical conductors of said direct current motor and said electromagnetic switch, including lead wires;further comprising a contact terminal mounted on said electromagnetic switch and electrically connected to said second terminal and a relay terminal, mounted on said direct current motor and electrically connected to said first brush, wherein said electric current interruption mechanism is formed as an integral unitary body with said contact terminal.