Patent ID: 7343785

Claim:
A signal detector arrangement for a vehicle engine having a starter mechanism and a crankshaft with first and second ends, said signal detector arrangement comprising: a one-way clutch arranged to be mounted on one of the first and second ends of the crankshaft for disengageably coupling the starter mechanism with the crankshaft; and a sensor configured to detect signals; wherein said one-way clutch includes a clutch inner member, a clutch outer member, and a clutch engagement member disengageably engageable between said clutch inner member and said clutch outer member so as to disengageably couple said clutch outer member for rotation with said clutch inner member; wherein said clutch outer member comprises a cylindrical outer wall having an outer surface with at least one concavity and at least one convexity so as to constitute a signal output part to be detected by said sensor; wherein said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member further comprises an annular reinforcing part that is thicker than any radially bottom wall forming any radially bottom surface of said at least one concavity; and wherein said sensor is disposed radially outside said cylindrical outer wall of said clutch outer member at a position so as to radially oppose said at least one concavity and said at least one convexity upon rotation of said clutch outer member.