Crankshaft Starter Positioning for Engine Compartment Space Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle designs with internal combustion engines in the longitudinal direction face challenges in optimizing space usage and simplifying assembly, particularly in arranging the crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft relative to the cylinder longitudinal center plane for efficient compact design.

Innovation Solution

The crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft are positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder longitudinal center plane, with the crankshaft starter preferably located on one side and the eccentric shaft on the other, allowing for a compact design and efficient use of space, and the crankshaft starter can be connected to the crankshaft via a gear drive or belt drive, enabling both starting and generator operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft are arranged on the same side of the cylinder longitudinal center plane, then the assembly is simpler, but the space usage in the engine compartment is less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace usage in engine compartmentVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensional arrangement by positioning the crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft on opposite sides of the cylinder longitudinal center plane, utilizing the lateral dimension of the engine compartment. This spatial distribution optimizes the use of available space while maintaining a manageable assembly structure through defined positional relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the crankshaft starter is positioned closer to the eccentric shaft, then the connection is simpler, but the thermal loading on the crankshaft starter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidthermal loading on crankshaft starter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gear drive as an intermediary mechanism between the crankshaft starter and the crankshaft, positioned at a distance from the eccentric shaft. This intermediary connection transmits the starting torque while isolating the crankshaft starter from direct thermal exposure to the eccentric shaft area, reducing thermal loading while maintaining functional connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the internal combustion engine is arranged in the longitudinal direction, then the space efficiency is improved, but the arrangement of crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine compartment space efficiencyVSAvoidcrankshaft starter and eccentric shaft arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangement by positioning the crankshaft starter and eccentric shaft on opposite sides of the cylinder longitudinal center plane, creating an asymmetric layout that adapts to the longitudinal engine configuration. This asymmetric positioning optimizes space utilization in the engine compartment while defining clear positional relationships that manage the complexity of the arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 arrangement allows for a compact and efficient internal combustion engine design, optimizing space usage and simplifying assembly, while also enabling efficient energy conversion and reduced thermal loading of the crankshaft starter.

Implementation Method 1

The crankshaft starter can be connected to the crankshaft via a gear drive or belt drive, enabling both starting and generator operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The crankshaft starter can be connected to the crankshaft via a gear drive or belt drive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3060776B1Motor vehicle and method for assembling a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 AUDI AG
  • EP3060776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3060776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3060776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine (1) which is installed into a motor chamber in the longitudinal direction and which has a multi-joint crank drive (10) with an eccentric shaft (8) and a crankshaft starter (25). The crankshaft starter (25) is arranged relative to the internal combustion engine (1) such that a longitudinal central cylinder plane (27), which is spanned by longitudinal central cylinder axes of the internal combustion engine (1), lies between the crankshaft starter (25) and the eccentric shaft (8). The invention additionally relates to a method for assembling a motor vehicle.