Multiple Cylinder Engine With Shared Combustion Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines with single cylinders, commonly used in outdoor power equipment, face limitations in performance and efficiency, particularly in terms of power output and vibration management, due to their small displacement and simple design.
Innovation Solution
A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine configuration is proposed, featuring two or more cylinders with a shared crankshaft and combustion chamber, where the cylinders can be arranged in parallel or offset configurations, with varying diameters and ignition sources, to enhance power generation and vibration tuning through the use of a pressure accumulator and fluid pumping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single cylinder engine is used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the power output is limited and vibration management is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into multiple cylinders (first cylinder and second cylinder) with different diameters, allowing each cylinder to contribute differently to power output while enabling better vibration balance through staggered firing sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric cylinder design where the first cylinder has a larger diameter than the second cylinder, creating unequal power contributions that can be timed to balance vibrations while maintaining increased total power output
2Power
If multiple cylinders with different diameters are used, then power generation is enhanced and vibration tuning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cylinder is designed with specific local characteristics (different diameters, different positions) to optimize its individual contribution to power and vibration characteristics, with the first cylinder having larger diameter for primary power and the second cylinder providing vibration balancing
3Productivity
If a shared combustion chamber is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the fuel-air mixture management efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber is segmented into first and second combustion chambers, each serving a specific cylinder, allowing independent optimization of fuel-air mixture management for each cylinder while maintaining overall system efficiency
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 improves power output and reduces vibration by allowing for more efficient fuel-air mixture management and increased power generation, while also providing a mechanism to counterbalance vibrations and tune engine characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
A crankshaft may be coupled with the first piston and the second piston for rotational motion associated with reciprocating movement of at least one of the first piston and the second piston
Implementation Method 2
A combustion chamber may be fluidly coupled with the first cylinder and the second cylinder. An ignition source may be at least partially disposed within the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
An intake valve may provide selective fluid communication between an intake system and the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 4
An exhaust valve may provide selective fluid communication between an exhaust system and the combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine may include a first piston reciprocatingly disposed in a first cylinder, and a second piston reciprocatingly disposed in a second cylinder. A crankshaft may be coupled with the first piston and the second piston for rotational motion associated with reciprocating movement of at least one of the first piston and the second piston. A combustion chamber may be fluidly coupled with the first cylinder and the second cylinder. An ignition source may be at least partially disposed within the combustion chamber. An intake valve may provide selective fluid communication between an intake system and the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve may provide selective fluid communication between an exhaust system and the combustion chamber.