Patent ID: 7982564

Claim:
A starter solenoid comprising: a solenoid cap defining a channel; a first terminal and a second terminal provided on the solenoid cap; a contact moveable within the channel between a first position where the contact touches the first and second terminals and a second position where the contact is removed from the first and second terminals, the contact comprising a first portion including a first terminal face configured to contact the first terminal when the contact is in the first position, the first portion further comprising opposing lips extending from opposite sides of the first terminal face with a curved shoulder provided between the first terminal face and each of the opposing lips; and a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion including a second terminal face configured to contact the second terminal when the contact is in the first position; and a shield comprising an electrically conductive metal surface positioned in the channel of the solenoid cap, the shield configured to separate the contact from the solenoid cap when the contact moves between the first position and the second position, the shield including opposing walls positioned adjacent to the opposing lips, wherein the opposing lips of the contact move along the opposing walls when the contact moves between the first position and the second position.