Engine Bay Auxiliary Bracket Layout for Compact Belt-Driven Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines for vehicles face challenges in efficiently packaging auxiliary components in a space-saving and customizable manner, particularly for commercial vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The engine design includes a separately manufactured mounting bracket attached to the cylinder block, allowing for the arrangement of auxiliary components like an alternator, hydraulic steering pump, and refrigerating compressor on the left side of the engine, driven by a belt system, with a front-facing belt configuration and optional secondary compressor, optimizing space utilization and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If auxiliary components are mounted directly on the cylinder block, then the structure is simple and robust, but the packaging efficiency is poor and installation space requirements are large
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into a separate mounting bracket that can be independently designed and attached to the cylinder block. This bracket provides multiple mounting positions and configurations without modifying the cylinder block itself, thereby reducing installation space requirements while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the cylinder block and the auxiliary components. This mediator allows for optimized packaging of auxiliary components in limited space while keeping the mounting structure simple and robust through standardized attachment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized mounting bracket is used for all auxiliary components, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the adaptability to different customer configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with universal mounting positions and attachment mechanisms that can accommodate different auxiliary components (alternator, hydraulic steering pump, refrigerating compressor, etc.) in various configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same bracket structure to serve different customer needs without requiring custom manufacturing for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting positions that can be adapted to different auxiliary component arrangements. This dynamic design capability allows the standardized bracket to accommodate various customer-specific configurations while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular attachment systems.
3Volume of stationary object
If auxiliary components are arranged on the left side of the engine, then space utilization is optimized for commercial vehicle applications, but the belt drive system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The belt drive system is arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that utilizes the vertical and lateral dimensions of the engine bay effectively. By positioning the belt drive components in multiple dimensions rather than a simple linear arrangement, the system achieves optimal space utilization on the left side while managing the inherent complexity through spatial optimization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10) comprising a cylinder block (12) comprising a plurality of cylinders. The engine (10) comprises a crankshaft (14) rotatably mounted on the cylinder block (12) about a crankshaft rotation axis (16) extending in a plane (18) which, with respect to an installation position of the internal combustion engine (10), extends in a vertical direction (20) of the vehicle. The engine (10) comprises a mounting bracket (26) separately manufactured from the cylinder block (12), the mounting bracket (26) being attached to the cylinder block (12). The engine (10) comprises a belt (30) configured to be driven by the crankshaft (14). The engine (10) comprises an alternator (34) configured to be driven by the belt (30), the alternator (34) being mounted on the mounting bracket (26). The engine (10) comprises a hydraulic steering pump (38) configured to be driven by the belt (30).