Electric Motor Balance Assembly for Engine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face inherent imbalances leading to vibrations due to varying engine configurations, which existing balance shafts attempt to mitigate but introduce complexity and packaging issues, and existing solutions do not efficiently adjust phase angles and speeds to balance vibrations across different engine speeds.
Innovation Solution
The use of electric motors to rotate eccentric masses relative to the crankshaft, with rotary encoders to adjust phase angles and speeds, allowing for dynamic balancing of vibrations by synchronizing the rotation of these masses with the engine's crankshaft, especially above a threshold speed, and deactivating when below this speed to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional balance shafts are used to balance vibrations, then vibration balancing is improved, but device complexity and packaging concerns worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical balance shaft system with an electrical system consisting of electric motors mounted on the crankshaft. Each motor rotates an eccentric mass to generate counterbalancing forces. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical balance shafts while achieving the same vibration reduction effect through electromagnetic actuation of counterweights.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If balance shafts extend through the entire engine to maximize separation of out-of-balance weights, then vibration balancing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and packaging worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending balance shafts longitudinally through the entire engine to maximize weight separation, the patent utilizes the radial dimension by mounting multiple electric motors and eccentric masses directly on the crankshaft. This dimensional shift allows effective vibration balancing within the existing crankshaft volume without requiring extended balance shafts that would increase engine length and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are used to rotate eccentric masses, then adaptability to different engine speeds and valve timings is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically controllable electric motors that can adjust their rotational speed and phase angle in real-time based on engine operating conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize vibration cancellation across different engine speeds and valve timing configurations, with the added benefit of being able to deactivate the motors when vibration balancing is not required, thereby managing energy consumption effectively.
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 solution effectively balances first and second-order vibrations by dynamically adjusting phase angles and speeds, reducing engine complexity and packaging concerns while optimizing power usage by only activating the balance system when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric motor coupled to the ICE and configured to rotate a first eccentric mass relative to the ICE, the first eccentric mass being coupled to a shaft of the first electric motor
Implementation Method 2
the first electric motor is configured to rotate the first eccentric mass in order to balance a vibration characteristic of the ICE
Implementation Method 3
The first and second electric motors may each comprise a rotary encoder, configured to determine respective phase angles of the shafts of the first and second electric motors
Implementation Method 4
the first and second electric motors are configured to adjust a difference in phase angle between the first and second electric motor shafts and/or a crank shaft according to a variation in valve timing of the ICE
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) assembly (50) comprising an ICE (51) and a balance assembly (100) is provided. The balance assembly (100) comprises: a first electric motor (102) coupled to the ICE (51) and configured to rotate a first eccentric mass (106) relative to the ICE (51), the first eccentric mass (106) being coupled to a shaft of the first electric motor (102); and a second electric motor (104) coupled to the ICE (51) and configured to rotate a second eccentric mass (108) relative to the ICE (51), the second eccentric mass (108) being coupled to a shaft of the second electric motor (104). The first and second electric motors (102, 104) are configured to rotate the first and second eccentric masses (106, 108) in order to balance a vibration characteristic of the ICE (51).