Undulated Annular Motion Mechanism With Piston End Dwell
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high number of moving parts in traditional piston—piston rod—crank mechanisms lead to inefficiencies and vibrations, with the piston unable to rest at extreme positions, affecting combustion and fluid flow control in engines.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism transforming reciprocal to rotational motion or vice versa using annular components with smooth undulated surfaces, allowing for continuous contact and dynamic lubrication, reducing friction and wear, and enabling motion delay at extreme positions without a crankshaft or piston rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a piston—piston rod—crank mechanism is used to transform reciprocal to rotational motion, then the motion transformation is achieved, but the device complexity and number of moving parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the crankshaft and piston rod from the traditional mechanism, retaining only the essential functional elements. The undulated surface geometry directly transforms reciprocal motion to rotational motion without requiring the intermediate connecting components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining motion transformation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a crankshaft to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion, the patent inverts the approach by using an undulated surface profile that directly converts reciprocating motion to rotational motion. This inversion eliminates the need for traditional crank mechanisms and their associated complexity
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a piston—piston rod—crank mechanism is used, then motion transformation is achieved, but vibrations and inertial forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved undulated surfaces with specific geometric profiles instead of straight-line piston rod connections. The curved geometry of the undulated surface creates smoother motion transitions and reduces abrupt changes in direction, thereby minimizing vibrations and inertial forces while maintaining effective motion transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the piston surface by creating undulated profiles with specific crest and valley dimensions. This parameter change in the surface geometry allows for optimized motion characteristics that reduce vibrations and inertial forces compared to traditional flat piston surfaces
3Productivity
If the piston moves continuously without resting at TDC and BDC, then the mechanism operates smoothly, but combustion efficiency and exhaust gas sweeping decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The undulated surface geometry is designed with extended crests at the extreme positions that automatically create a dwelling effect, allowing the piston to rest momentarily at TDC and BDC. This preliminary geometric design enables combustion efficiency improvement without requiring additional mechanical components or complex control mechanisms
4Device complexity
If traditional valves are used for fluid flow control, then flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates traditional valve mechanisms from the system. Instead of using separate valves with multiple moving parts, the design utilizes simple apertures in the piston that open and close automatically based on the piston's position in its cycle, achieving fluid flow control with minimal complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The piston with integrated apertures performs the valve function automatically through its own reciprocating motion. The apertures open to allow fluid flow when the piston is at certain positions and close when at other positions, eliminating the need for external valve actuation mechanisms and achieving self-service fluid control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies engine design, reduces friction and wear, allows for harmonic reciprocation, and enhances combustion efficiency by enabling the piston to rest at extreme positions, resulting in improved power output and reduced size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
the contacting sides are smooth undulated surfaces formed as a geometric locus of the radii passing through smooth undulated curves of the external cylindrical surface of the first and second annular components
Implementation Method 2
there is free space left between the undulated surfaces, resulting, when lubricated, in achieving friction and wear minimization owing to dynamic lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for transforming rotating into reciprocating motion, or vice versa, comprising first and second annular components (1, 3) located coaxially along a longitudinal axis (ΔA). The first and second annular components are both able to rotate around and reciprocate along the longitudinal axis. A side (A) of the first annular component (1) is in continuous contact, in at least one point, with a neighboring side (Γα) of the second annular component (3) so that the second annular component (3) is able to rotate relative to and in continuous contact with at least one point with the adjacent side (A). The contacting sides are undulated surfaces (A, Γα) such that if the first and second annular components are forced into rotational motion, they remain in continuous contact so that every point of the undulated surfaces will trace, relative to the other, an undulated trajectory and also execute reciprocating motion.