Eccentric Crank Drive for Stroke Cycle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles with internal combustion engines face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to complex mechanical gear devices required for varying stroke cycles, leading to increased friction losses and potential failures.

Innovation Solution

A crank drive device with an eccentrically connected crankshaft and camshaft system, powered by an auxiliary motor, allows for synchronized rotation and control of the stroke cycle without complex gear mechanisms, enabling efficient operation in various conditions and energy recuperation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical gear devices are used to vary stroke cycles, then the engine can operate in different stroke cycles (e.g., Atkinson cycle), but the device complexity increases and friction losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke cycle variation capabilityVSAvoidmechanical gear device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gear devices with an electric motor to drive the camshaft, thereby substituting a mechanical system with an electromechanical system. This reduces mechanical friction losses and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the capability to vary stroke cycles through electronic control of the motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an electric motor to dynamically adjust the camshaft position, thereby changing the valve timing parameters to achieve different stroke cycles (e.g., Atkinson cycle). This parameter change approach allows flexible stroke cycle variation without requiring complex mechanical gear mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical gear devices are used to vary stroke cycles, then the engine can operate in different stroke cycles, but the reliability decreases due to wear and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke cycle variation capabilityVSAvoidengine operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wear-prone mechanical gear devices with an electric motor-driven camshaft system. This substitution eliminates the wear and potential failure associated with complex mechanical gear mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while maintaining stroke cycle variation capability through electronic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical gear devices are used to vary stroke cycles, then the engine can operate in different stroke cycles, but the energy efficiency decreases due to increased friction losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke cycle variation capabilityVSAvoidfriction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical gear devices with an electric motor-driven system, thereby substituting high-friction mechanical contact with electromagnetic actuation. This significantly reduces friction losses and improves energy efficiency while maintaining the capability to vary stroke cycles through electronic control of the motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances the efficiency and reliability of internal combustion engines by allowing direct control of the stroke cycle and energy recuperation, reducing friction losses and mechanical complexity, thus optimizing engine performance in hybrid vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the crankshaft (101) and the camshaft (102, 103) are components of a rotatable eccentric system (105) in which the crankshaft (101) is eccentrically connected to the camshaft (102, 103) and is rotatably supported with respect to the camshaft (102, 103)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

a) an auxiliary motor (106) which is configured to rotate the rotatable eccentric system (105) in a manner synchronized with a stroke cycle of the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the crankshaft (101) is configured to be eccentrically connected in a rotatably supported manner to a connecting rod of a piston of an internal combustion engine and to drive the drive shaft (104)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrankshaft mechanism: Crankshaft

Data Source

PatentUS10830127B2Crank drive device for an internal combustion engine, drive train and vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A crank drive device for an internal combustion engine which comprises a crankshaft configured to be eccentrically connected to a connecting rod of a piston and to drive the drive shaft. The crankshaft is eccentrically connected to the camshaft and is rotatably supported with respect to the camshaft. An auxiliary motor which is configured to rotate the rotatable eccentric system.