Supercharger Engine Width Reduction via Idler Gear Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing supercharger-equipped combustion engines for motorcycles face challenges in reducing the widthwise dimension while minimizing the number of components, leading to increased engine width due to the alignment of the supercharger and starter driving motor in the axial direction.
Innovation Solution
The configuration includes an idler gear rotatably supported by an idler shaft, with the starter gear disposed on the idler shaft aligned with the idler gear in the widthwise direction, allowing for a dedicated shaft to be omitted, and the supercharger positioned rearward of the idler shaft, enabling component placement in the empty space between the supercharger and idler shaft, thus reducing the engine's widthwise dimension. Additionally, the supercharger transmission's rotary shafts are aligned perpendicular to the widthwise direction, and the supercharger is positioned above the crankcase to enhance intake air chamber capacity without increasing its height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the supercharger and starter driving motor are aligned in the axial direction of the engine rotary shaft, then the number of components is reduced, but the widthwise dimension of the combustion engine is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the supercharger from an axial alignment with the engine rotary shaft to a radial alignment, specifically positioning it above the crankcase. This dimensional change allows the supercharger to share space with other components in the widthwise direction rather than extending the overall width, thereby reducing the engine's widthwise dimension while maintaining component integration
2Length of moving object
If the supercharger is positioned to reduce widthwise dimension, then the widthwise dimension is reduced, but the intake air chamber capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the supercharger above the crankcase rather than extending in the widthwise direction, the patent creates vertical space utilization. The intake air chamber is configured to extend in the widthwise direction between the supercharger and crankcase, allowing sufficient chamber capacity to be achieved through width utilization rather than height, thus maintaining both reduced overall width and adequate chamber volume
Solution Approach 2:
The supercharger is positioned above the crankcase in a nested arrangement where the supercharger occupies vertical space above the crankcase while the intake air chamber utilizes the horizontal space between them. This nesting strategy allows multiple components to occupy overlapping spatial zones without interfering with each other's functionality, maximizing space utilization
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 reduces the widthwise dimension of the combustion engine, allows easier mounting and dismounting of the supercharger, and ensures increased intake air chamber capacity without expanding its height, thereby optimizing space utilization and component placement.
Implementation Method 1
power is transmitted to a drive shaft of the supercharger through an idler gear provided on an idler shaft
Implementation Method 2
a supercharger, that has a rotation axis extending in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, compresses or pressurizes intake air
Implementation Method 3
gears such as a balancer gear and a starter driving gear are disposed within a limited space
Implementation Method 4
a starter driving motor and a starter gear that are disposed within a limited space
Data Source
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AI summary
A supercharger-equipped combustion engine (E) includes a crankcase (40) supporting a crankshaft (39) extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle, and a cylinder block (42) disposed above the crankcase (40). A supercharger (62) is disposed above the crankcase (40) and rearward of the cylinder block (42) and driven by power of the crankshaft (39). The power of the crankshaft (39) is transmitted to the supercharger (62) through a counter shaft (78) which rotatably supports a counter gear (84). The counter shaft (78) extends parallel with the crankshaft (39), and a starter gear (86) is arranged on the counter shaft (78) so as to be aligned in the widthwise direction. The counter shaft (78) is disposed rearward of the crankshaft (39), and the supercharger (62) is disposed rearward of the counter shaft (78). A starter motor (90) meshing with the starter gear (86) is disposed frontward of the supercharger (62).