Off-Road Engine Assembly With Extended Crankshaft And Silent Drive Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional off-road vehicle engines are not adaptable or upgradable for different applications and operating conditions, requiring distinct starter motor assemblies, crankshafts, and alternator configurations, leading to increased manufacturing costs and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
An engine design featuring an extended crankshaft with an additional main bearing, allowing the same crankshaft to be used with either an internal generator or external alternator, along with a silent drive chain assembly, enabling configuration modifications for various off-road vehicles while using a common starter motor assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional engines are designed for specific applications with specific alternator configurations (internal generator or external alternator), then the engine can be optimized for that particular application, but the engine cannot be adaptable or interchangeable with other configurations, increasing manufacturing cost and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single engine configuration that can accommodate both internal generators and external alternators through a standardized mounting interface. The engine block includes a designated generator mounting location that can receive either an internal generator assembly or an external alternator assembly, allowing the same engine to serve multiple applications without requiring different engine designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the generator/alternator system from the engine core, making it a separable, interchangeable component. The internal generator and external alternator are designed as distinct modules that can be independently attached or detached from the engine's standardized mounting interface, enabling flexible configuration changes without modifying the engine itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate starter motor assemblies are used for engines with internal generators versus external alternators, then each configuration can be optimized for its specific application, but manufacturing cost and operational complexity increase due to requiring multiple different starter motor assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single starter motor assembly that can crank engines regardless of whether they are equipped with internal generators or external alternators. The starter motor is positioned and designed to engage the flywheel on the engine's output shaft, a location that remains consistent across both configurations, allowing one starter motor design to serve both application types.
3Reliability
If conventional crankshafts use separately attachable shafts and roller bearings with additional seals, then the crankshaft can handle transmission loads and maintain low noise operation, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the crankshaft, bearings, and sealing functions into a single integrated component. The crankshaft is designed as one piece with bearing surfaces and sealing features built-in, eliminating the need for separately attachable shafts, roller bearings, and seals. This integration maintains the ability to handle transmission loads and ensure low noise operation while reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.
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 design reduces the number of components needed for different configurations, minimizes space requirements, and provides low noise operation, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and adaptability across different vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
An internal combustion (IC) engine generates mechanical energy through combustion of an air-fuel mixture
Implementation Method 2
the generator driven by the crankshaft, generates the electrical energy by converting the mechanical energy from the crankshaft into the electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an engine assembly for a vehicle. The engine assembly comprises an engine including an extended crankshaft with additional main bearings, an alternator or a generator, a drive chain assembly, and a starter motor assembly. The engine may be used in different models of the vehicle having different characteristics, which enables to interchange or replace an internal generator with an external alternator, and vice versa in addition enable to use a common starter motor assembly, crankshaft, crankcase, and drive chain assembly for both engine configuration without modifying a basic design of the engine. Further, placement of the starter motor assembly provides a compact arrangement. In addition, the extended crankshaft with the additional main bearings enables low noise level operation, avoids additional shafts and roller bearings to be attached, and cost effective. Similarly, the drive chain assembly produces less vibration and noise.