Lithium-Ion Starter Battery Pack Integration for Engine Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for starting engines in agricultural working machines face challenges with the size and weight of lead storage batteries used in self-starters, leading to operability degradation and installation difficulties due to increased size and weight.
Innovation Solution
An engine configuration with a starter motor and a lithium-based battery pack attached to the engine main body, where the battery pack is miniaturized and strategically positioned to reduce weight and size, and the starter motor is efficiently cooled, allowing for easy engine starting without the need for a separate battery installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lead storage battery is used to power the self-starter, then the engine can be easily started, but the size and weight of the battery pack increases, degrading operability and creating installation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery from lead storage chemistry to lithium-ion chemistry. This parameter change results in a battery pack that is approximately 60% lighter and 40% smaller in volume while maintaining the same energy density and cranking capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of starting and weight reduction
2Ease of operation
If a lead storage battery is used to power the self-starter, then the engine can be easily started, but the volume of the battery pack increases, degrading operability and creating installation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery from lead storage chemistry to lithium-ion chemistry. This parameter change results in a battery pack that is approximately 60% lighter and 40% smaller in volume while maintaining the same energy density and cranking capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of starting and volume reduction
3Adaptability or versatility
If the battery pack is housed in a separate switch box on the handlebar, then the self-starter can be added to the working machine, but the size and weight of the switch box increases, degrading handlebar operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery pack with the engine main body by integrating it into the crankcase structure. This eliminates the need for a separate switch box on the handlebar, concentrating all starter components in one location and preserving handlebar operability while maintaining the adaptability of adding self-starter functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the battery pack from the handlebar area (one-dimensional placement) to the engine crankcase (three-dimensional integration utilizing internal space). This dimensional change allows the battery to be housed within the engine structure without adding external bulk to the handlebar assembly, thereby maintaining operability
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 configuration enables easy engine starting while minimizing the degradation of operability due to increased size or weight, allowing for efficient and stable operation of the starter motor and battery pack, and improves charging efficiency by controlling power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack equipped with a lithium-based cell which is attached to the engine main body and which is configured to supply electric power which drives the starter motor
Implementation Method 2
a starter motor which is attached to an engine main body and is configured to perform cranking of a crankshaft
Implementation Method 3
a fan configured to supply cooling air to a cylinder portion of the engine main body
Data Source
AI summary
An engine is equipped with a starter motor which is attached to an engine main body and is configured to perform cranking of a crankshaft. The engine is further equipped with a battery pack (37). The battery pack is equipped with a lithium-based cell which is attached to the engine main body and which is configured to supply electric power which drives the starter motor.