North-South Engine ATV Crankshaft Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with east/west engine orientation often result in a wider engine profile, leading to uncomfortable seating for riders, particularly shorter individuals, due to the parallel crankshaft alignment with the axles, which can make it difficult to reach the floorboards and may require wider seats and additional width from transmission components.
Innovation Solution
The design of ATVs with a north/south engine orientation, where the crankshaft is longitudinally positioned relative to the vehicle, allowing for a more compact engine profile within a trapezoidal space, and a transmission system that includes a CVT with vanes for cooling air flow, reducing the overall width and enhancing rider comfort by providing better access and ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the engine is mounted in an east/west orientation with the crankshaft parallel to the axles, then the power transmission is direct and efficient, but the engine width increases requiring a wider seat and reducing rider comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by rotating the engine 90 degrees from the conventional east/west orientation to a north/south orientation, with the crankshaft positioned longitudinally between the front and rear axles rather than laterally parallel to them. This reorientation in a different spatial dimension allows the engine to fit within a narrower lateral profile while maintaining effective power transmission to both axles through extended drive shafts, thus resolving the contradiction between power transmission efficiency and rider comfort.
2Length of stationary object
If the crankshaft is positioned longitudinally between the front and rear axles, then the overall vehicle width is reduced, but the transmission system becomes more complex requiring extended drive shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the power transmission path into separate extended drive shafts that connect the centrally positioned crankshaft to each rear axle independently. This segmentation allows the transmission system to accommodate the longitudinal crankshaft position while maintaining manageable complexity through modular connection components, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced vehicle width and transmission system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a wider seat is provided to accommodate the wider engine, then the engine mounting is simplified, but shorter riders have difficulty reaching the floorboards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional design approach: instead of widening the seat to accommodate the engine width, the engine itself is reoriented to fit within a narrower space. This inversion of the problem-solving approach eliminates the need for a wide seat while maintaining simple engine mounting, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting simplicity and rider accessibility.
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 results in a narrower straddle width for riders, improved ergonomics, and enhanced accessibility, making the vehicle more comfortable and practical for a variety of riders while maintaining efficient power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A CVT with vanes for cooling air flow
Data Source
AI summary
An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.