Balancer Shaft Thrust Lubrication Using Oil-Holding Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing balancer devices for internal combustion engines face insufficient lubrication in the thrust receiving portion, leading to a risk of abrasion due to inadequate oil supply in the opposite direction of the balancer shaft's rotation.
Innovation Solution
A balancer device with an arc-shaped thrust receiving portion and a recessed portion at the end opposite to the rotation direction of the balancer shaft, which holds lubricating oil to effectively lubricate the thrust receiving area, reducing abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil supply groove is provided to extend in the radial direction toward the bottom of the lower housing, then the lubricating oil can be supplied to the thrust receiving portion, but the supply amount to the opposite direction side to the rotation direction is insufficient, causing abrasion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is provided in advance at the end portion of the thrust receiving portion opposite to the rotation direction, where lubricating oil is stored before being supplied to the thrust receiving portion. This preliminary storage ensures that lubricating oil is available at the location most prone to abrasion before the helical gear contacts it during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion is specifically located at the end portion opposite to the rotation direction, creating a localized lubrication reservoir where it is most needed. This local concentration of lubricating oil addresses the specific lubrication deficiency at this critical area without requiring changes to the entire oil supply system.
2Force
If the thrust receiving portion is formed close to the bearing portion of the lower housing, then the thrust load can be received, but the lubricating oil supply to the opposite direction side becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is provided in advance at the end portion of the thrust receiving portion opposite to the rotation direction, where lubricating oil is stored before being supplied to the thrust receiving portion. This preliminary storage ensures that lubricating oil is available at the location most prone to abrasion before the helical gear contacts it during rotation.
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
The solution effectively suppresses abrasion at the thrust receiving portion by ensuring sufficient lubrication, enhancing the durability and lubricating performance of the balancer device.
Implementation Method 1
a recessed portion provided at an end portion, which is located at an against side of a rotation direction of the balancer shaft, of the thrust receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
Balancer device has upper and lower housings 3 and 4 having therein an accommodation section 10, a pair of drive and driven side shafts 5 and 6 which are rotatably supported by four plain bearings 11 to 14 provided in the accommodation section and to which a rotation force is transmitted from a crankshaft, and arc band-shaped thrust receiving portions 32a and 33a which thrust flange portions of drive and driven gears 8 and 9 provided at the drive and driven side shafts respectively can contact from a thrust direction. First and second oil storing grooves 34 and 35, groove passages 36 and 37 and vertical groove passages 38a to 39b are formed at the thrust receiving portions on a gravity direction lower side with respect to a meshing portion of the both gears. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress occurrence of abrasion of the thrust receiving portion.