Mazda uses three types of starters in their vehicles; conventional, reduction and direct drive.
Conventional starters use four individually wound magnets to produce a strong magnetic field. This field induces the armature to turn against these field. In addition to the magnetic field turning the armature, it also pulls down a lever, which in turn throws out the starter drive to engage into the flywheel teeth.
Reduction starters use a high speed electric motor to drive a gear-set. Some utilize a planetary gear-set while others use a standard small gear driving a larger gear. By using reduction gearing, a relatively weak electric motor can have its output turning power multiplied before it reaches the flywheel.
| Fig. 1: Example of the various starter configurations
and basic electrical system schematic
|
Direct drive starters, also use an electric motor, but their output speed and turning power is sent directly to the flywheel.
All starters utilize some sort of over-running clutch system, so that when the engine speed exceeds the starters, the unit will not be damaged.
