Supercharger Shaft Support Segmentation for Engine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supercharger-equipped combustion engines face difficulties in mounting the power transmission shaft due to its support at both ends by the crankcase, making it challenging to assemble, especially when larger diameter components like gears and sprockets are involved.
Innovation Solution
The engine design includes a power transmission mechanism where the power transmission shaft is supported at one end by a holder and the other end by the crankcase, allowing for easier mounting and assembly, with additional features like a projection for connecting rotating members and an endless belt transmission body to absorb dimension errors and facilitate gear ratio adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the power transmission shaft is supported at both ends by the crankcase, then the shaft structure is stable, but the mounting operation becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft support function is segmented between the holder (supporting one end) and the crankcase (supporting the other end). This segmentation allows the shaft to be mounted with components already attached, as the holder can be positioned and secured independently, simplifying the mounting operation while maintaining structural stability.
2Power
If larger diameter components like gears and sprockets are mounted on the power transmission shaft, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the mounting operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with a preliminary opening that allows the power transmission shaft with larger diameter components (gears, sprockets) to be inserted and positioned before final securing. This preliminary action enables the assembly to be built up in a manageable sequence, making the mounting operation easier despite the larger components.
3Strength
If the power transmission shaft is supported at both ends by the crankcase, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support function between the holder and crankcase, the assembly process is divided into simpler steps: first positioning the shaft with the holder, then securing it to the crankcase. This segmentation reduces assembly time compared to the conventional approach of supporting both ends from the crankcase, which requires more complex alignment and securing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supercharger-equipped combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (39) extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle supported by a crankcase (40) and a supercharger (62) disposed above the crankcase (40). Power from the crankshaft (39) is transmitted through a supercharger transmission (99) to the supercharger (62). A crankcase body (41) has an opening (41h) formed to be opened at the right side in the widthwise direction, and at least a part of the opening (41a) is covered with a holder (43) detachably mounted on the crankcase body (41). The supercharger transmission (99) includes input and output shafts (78, 82) extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the input and output shafts (78, 82) are rotatably supported at first end portions (78a, 82a) thereof at the right side by first bearing portions (43a, 43b) formed in the holder (43) and are rotatably supported at second end portions (78b, 82b) thereof at the left side by second bearing portions (41a, 41b) formed in a side wall of the crankcase body (41).