Power Unit Balancer-Shaft Drive for Flexible Auxiliary Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power units with multiple auxiliary machines driven by a crankshaft lack flexibility in design due to their proximity, limiting space efficiency and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A power unit design that utilizes a balancer shaft to drive auxiliary machines, such as a compressor, reducing the need for additional components and optimizing space by integrating the compressor with the crankshaft system, thereby improving flexibility without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple auxiliary machines are driven by the crankshaft, then they can operate on power generated in the internal combustion engine, but the auxiliary machines must be disposed in the vicinity of the crankshaft which limits design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a balancer shaft as an intermediary component between the crankshaft and the auxiliary machines. The balancer shaft receives rotational power from the crankshaft and transmits it to the auxiliary machines, allowing these machines to be positioned away from the crankshaft while still being powered by it. This mediator enables spatial separation and improves design flexibility without compromising the power transmission function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the balancer shaft, which rotates in a different plane than the crankshaft, to create a new dimension for power transmission. By leveraging the vertical or lateral rotation of the balancer shaft, the system can transmit power to auxiliary machines located in different spatial positions, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the power distribution architecture and reducing spatial constraints.
2Device complexity
If auxiliary machines are disposed in the vicinity of the crankshaft, then they can be driven directly by crankshaft power, but this arrangement increases component count and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of power balancing and auxiliary machine drive into a single balancer shaft component. The balancer shaft serves dual purposes: it performs vibration balancing for the engine and simultaneously transmits power to the auxiliary machines. This consolidation reduces the need for separate drive mechanisms and simplifies the overall system architecture, thereby reducing component count while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Quantity of substance
If auxiliary machines are driven by the crankshaft, then they can operate on available power, but this requires additional components and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer shaft is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: engine vibration balancing and power transmission to auxiliary machines. By making the balancer shaft multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated drive components for the auxiliary machines, thereby reducing the total component count and associated manufacturing costs while still providing the necessary power transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power unit has an internal combustion engine and a first auxiliary machine. The internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft and a balancer shaft. The first auxiliary machine operates on rotational power generated in the internal combustion engine. The first auxiliary machine is driven by rotational power of the balancer shaft.