Patent ID: 7934436

Claim:
A starter device ( 1 ) for starting internal combustion engines, comprising: an electromagnetic pre-engagement mechanism having an axially movable pinion shaft ( 5 ) with a starter pinion ( 6 ), wherein said electromagnetic pre-engagement mechanism is configured for moving said axially movable pinion shaft ( 5 ); a holding mechanism ( 15 ) that holds the electromagnetic pre-engagement mechanism in an extended position without current during and/or after a stop phase, wherein the holding mechanism ( 15 ) holds the electromagnetic pre-engagement mechanism in an engaged position without current during and after the stop phase, wherein the holding mechanism ( 15 ) includes two permanent magnets ( 16 , 17 ) that are arranged so that a magnetic holding force is exerted in the engaged position, wherein said magnetic holding force holds the starter pinion ( 6 ) in an extended position; wherein said two permanent magnets include a first, movable permanent magnet ( 16 ) and a opposite-polarity second permanent magnetic ( 17 ), wherein said first, moveable permanent magnet is situated within the effective range of a magnetic coil ( 9 ) of the electromagnetic pre-engagement mechanism, wherein said first moveable permanent magnet is configured to exert the holding force together with the opposite-polarity second permanent magnet ( 17 ), wherein the first permanent magnet ( 16 ) is situated within the effective range of the second permanent magnet ( 17 ) in the engaged state; and a magnet armature ( 10 ), wherein the first and second permanent magnets ( 16 , 17 ) and the magnet armature ( 10 ) are arranged successively in a row.