Engine Balancer Device Compact Drive Gear Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine balancer devices enlarge the engine width due to separate provision of drive gears for balancer shafts and primary drive gears, leading to increased vehicle width and weight, and submersion issues with vertically disposed balancer shafts.
Innovation Solution
A balancer device configuration where the crankshaft is equipped with a primary drive gear, which also drives a countershaft and multiple balancer shafts, eliminating the need for additional drive gears and allowing for compact placement without enlarging the engine width, with the second balancer shaft positioned below the crankshaft to reduce front-rear width and prevent submersion during incline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drive gears are provided for balancer shafts and primary drive gear for countershaft, then the balancer shafts can be driven independently, but the engine width in the right-left direction is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive gear for the balancer shaft with the primary drive gear for the countershaft into a single integrated component. This combined gear structure eliminates the need for separate drive gears, thereby reducing the engine width in the right-left direction while maintaining the independent driving capability of both the balancer shaft and countershaft through appropriately positioned meshing teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drive gear performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the primary drive gear for the countershaft and the drive gear for the balancer shaft. By designing the gear with teeth that can mesh with both the countershaft's driven gear and the balancer shaft's driven gear, the single component achieves multi-functionality, reducing the overall engine width.
2Reliability
If balancer shafts are disposed in the front-rear direction, then the balancing function is achieved, but the engine width in the front-rear direction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the balancer shaft from a horizontal front-rear arrangement to a vertical arrangement below the crankshaft. This dimensional change allows the balancer shaft to achieve its vibration reduction function while occupying vertical space rather than extending the engine's front-rear length, thereby compacting the engine's overall dimensions in the horizontal direction.
3Area of stationary object
If the second balancer shaft is disposed below the crankshaft, then the engine width in front-rear direction is reduced, but the balancer shaft may be submerged in oil during incline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the second balancer shaft by placing it at the opposite side from the side stand. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when the motorcycle is inclined on the side stand, the balancer shaft remains positioned higher relative to the oil level, preventing submersion and maintaining operational reliability while achieving engine compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a balancer device of an engine, configured to reduce rotation vibrations of the engine. A crankshaft is provided with a primary drive gear. A countershaft is provided with a primary driven gear meshed with the primary drive gear. A plurality of balancer shafts are provided with balancer driven gears meshed with the primary drive gear.