Connecting Rod Positioning Link for Engine Block Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of components onto an engine block, particularly positioning a connecting rod relative to components underlying a cylinder, is challenging due to spatial constraints and complexity, often resulting in contact with nearby components like camshafts, making the process difficult and tedious.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a holder mechanism that extends beyond the cylinder liner to create a groove parallel to its circumference, along with a link that slidably engages with this groove and secures to the connecting rod, allowing the link to bias the connecting rod and prevent contact with underlying components, facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional assembly methods are used to position the connecting rod, then the assembly process becomes tedious and difficult, but the connecting rod may contact underlying components like camshafts and fail to assemble properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning apparatus as an intermediary tool between the connecting rod and the engine block. This apparatus includes a holder mechanism with a groove that guides the connecting rod during assembly, preventing contact with underlying components like camshafts while ensuring proper positioning relative to the cylinder liner.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning apparatus is configured to perform preliminary positioning actions before the actual assembly. The groove in the holder mechanism pre-establishes the correct trajectory and position for the connecting rod, so that when assembly occurs, the connecting rod is already properly aligned and will not contact obstructing components.
2Productivity
If the engine block geometry is complex with tight space constraints, then the available pathways for assembly become tortuous, but this increases the difficulty and time required for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus introduces a new dimensional aspect to the assembly process by providing a three-dimensional guiding structure (the groove) that transforms the tortuous path problem into a controlled dimensional constraint. The groove defines a specific spatial trajectory that simplifies the assembly pathway through the complex engine block geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning apparatus segments the assembly process into distinct phases: positioning phase (where the groove guides the connecting rod) and assembly phase (where the connecting rod is secured). This segmentation allows the complex task of navigating tight spaces to be separated from the actual assembly operation, improving overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for positioning a connecting rod relative to one or more components underlying a cylinder of an engine block, in tandem with assembling a cylinder liner to the cylinder of the engine block. The apparatus has a holder mechanism releasably holding a bottom end of the cylinder liner. A portion of the holder mechanism is configured to extend beyond the bottom end of the cylinder liner to define a groove that is disposed parallel to a circumference of the cylinder liner. A link pivotally connects the cylinder liner to the connecting rod. The link includes a first end defining a pin that is slidably engaged with the groove of the holder mechanism and a second end that defines an opening therethrough. The opening facilitates insertion of a fastener for releasably securing the link to a bottom end of the connecting rod.