Patent EP0318971A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0318971A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine unit for vehicle
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-11-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Several embodiments of power units particularly adapted for transverse engine operation for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle (11). In all of the embodiments, the axles are disposed on one side of the engine (21) and a change speed transmission (22) is located on the other side of the engine. The change speed transmission is driven from a gearing arrangement located between the ends of the crankshaft and in some embodiments torsional vibration dampers are included in the drive for the change speed transmission. Vibration dampers are affixed to one or both ends of the crankshaft in some embodiments and an auxiliary shaft is driven from the transmission primary shaft for operating the camshafts of the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaoru Okui
- 👤 Manabu Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B60K5/04; F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/02; F01L1/024; F02; F02B; F02B67/00; F02B67/04; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B75/20; F01M; F01M1/00; F01M1/12; F01M2001/126; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1824; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/18; F02B67/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In a motor vehicle having a driven wheel rotating about a first axis that extends generally transversely to the vehicle, an engine supported within said vehicle with its output shaft rotating about a second axis that extends generally parallel to said first axis and which is disposed on one side thereof, the improvement comprising a transmission having a primary shaft rotatable about a third axis generally parallel to said second axis, means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said engine output shaft, and means including said transmission for driving said wheel from said primary shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a motor vehicle having a driven wheel rotating about a first axis that extends generally transversely to the vehicle, an engine supported within said vehicle with its output shaft rotating about a second axis that extends generally parallel to said first axis and which is disposed on one side thereof, the improvement comprising a transmission having a primary shaft rotatable about a third axis generally parallel to said second axis, means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said engine output shaft, and means including said transmission for driving said wheel from said primary shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission comprises a change speed transmission having a secondary shaft and a plurality of intermeshing gear sets on said primary shaft and said secondary shaft for driving said secondary shaft at selected speed ratios from said primary shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for driving the wheel comprises a chain for driving the wheel from the transmission secondary shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for driving the wheel includes intermeshing gears on the transmission secondary shaft and cooperating with the wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission primary shaft is located on the opposite side of the engine from the first axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein the transmission comprises a change speed transmission having a secondary shaft and a plurality of intermeshing gear sets on said primary shaft and said secondary shaft for driving said secondary shaft at selected speed ratios from said primary shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for driving the wheel comprises a chain for driving the wheel from the transmission secondary shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein the means for driving the wheel includes intermeshing gears on the transmission secondary shaft and cooperating with the wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine has a plurality of in-line cylinders, said cylinders being inclined from the vertical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein the cylinders overlie the first axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein the engine is located at the front of the vehicle and the cylinders are inclined rearwardly so that the crankshaft axis lies ahead of the cylinders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the crankshaft is rotatably journaled within a crankcase defined by a lower portion of the cylinder block and a crankcase pan, the mating faces between the cylinder block and the crankcase pan lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinders.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 12 further including forwardly facing intake ports formed on the cylinder block and an intake manifold affixed thereto and being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above said cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission has a secondary shaft rotatable about a fourth axis parallel to the third axis and offset from the second axis at a distance less than the distance between the third axis and the second axis and a change speed gearing for driving said transmission secondary shaft from said transmission primary shaft at selected speed ratios.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the third axis and the fourth axis lie on the opposite side of the second axis from the first axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 15 wherein the engine has a plurality of in-line cylinders inclined from the vertical and lying over the first axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 16 further including an auxiliary shaft rotatable about a sixth axis offset from the second axis and for operating a component of the engine, means for directly driving said component from said auxiliary shaft and torsional resilient coupling means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said auxiliary shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 17 wherein the auxiliary shaft is driven from the engine output shaft by means of gearing located between the ends of the engine output shaft and further including a torsional vibration damper affixed for rotation to one end of said engine output shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the engine output shaft comprises a crankshaft and the means for driving the auxiliary shaft includes a spur gear affixed to one of the cheeks of one of the throws of the crankshaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly comprised of an output shaft powered by said engine and rotating about a first axis, a transmission primary shaft rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis and offset therefrom a first distance, a transmission secondary shaft rotatable about a third axis parallel to said first axis and offset therefrom a second distance, means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said engine output shaft, and means including change speed gearing for driving said transmission secondary shaft from said transmission primary shaft at selected speed ratios, the improvement comprising said second distance being less than said first distance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly comprised of an output shaft powered by said engine and rotating about a first axis, a transmission primary shaft rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis and offset therefrom a first distance, a transmission secondary shaft rotatable about a third axis parallel to said first axis and offset therefrom a second distance, means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said engine output shaft, and means including change speed gearing for driving said transmission secondary shaft from said transmission primary shaft at selected speed ratios, the improvement comprising said second distance being less than said first distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 20 further including a wheel associated with an axle driven by the transmission secondary shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an internal combusion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein the axle is disposed on the opposite side of the engine output shaft from the transmission primary and secondary shafts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein there are a pair of axles disposed in generally aligned relationship each driven by the transmission secondary shaft for driving a respective wheel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein the wheels are connected for steering movement to the respective axles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein the engine has a plurality of aligned cylinders inclined from the vertical and overlying the axles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 25 wherein the engine is located at the front of the vehicle and the cylinders are inclined rearwardly so that the crankshaft axis lies ahead of the cylinders.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 25 wherein the crankshaft is rotatably journaled within a crankcase defined by a lower portion of the cylinder block and a crankcase pan, the mating faces between the cylinder block and the crankcase pan lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinders.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 25 further including forwardly facing intake ports formed on the cylinder block and an intake manifold affixed thereto and being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above said cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 25 further including an auxiliary shaft rotatable about a sixth axis offset from the second axis and for operating a component of the engine, means for directly driving said component from said auxiliary shaft and torsional resilient coupling means for driving said transmission primary shaft from said auxiliary shaft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein the auxiliary shaft is driven from the engine output shaft by means of gearing located between the ends of the engine output shaft and further including a torsional vibration damper affixed for rotation to one end of said engine output shaft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
In an internal combustion engine transmission assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein the engine output shaft comprises a crankshaft and the means for driving the auxiliary shaft includes a spur gear affixed to one of the cheeks of one of the throws of the crankshaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
89 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and rotatable about a first axis, a power takeoff, an auxiliary shaft rotatable about a second axis offset from said first axis for operating a component of said engine, a transfer shaft rotatable about a third axis, means for directly driving said transfer shaft directly from said crankshaft, and means for directly driving said auxiliary shaft from said transfer shaft, the improvement comprising torsionally resilient coupling means for driving said power takeoff shaft from said transfer shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
89 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and rotatable about a first axis, a power takeoff, an auxiliary shaft rotatable about a second axis offset from said first axis for operating a component of said engine, a transfer shaft rotatable about a third axis, means for directly driving said transfer shaft directly from said crankshaft, and means for directly driving said auxiliary shaft from said transfer shaft, the improvement comprising torsionally resilient coupling means for driving said power takeoff shaft from said transfer shaft.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 32 wherein the crankshaft has a plurality of throws and the means for driving the transfer shaft directly from the crankshaft comprises gearing means formed on the crankshaft between its ends.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 33 wherein the gearing means comprises a gear formed on one of the cheeks of one of the throws of the crankshaft.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 32 wherein the auxiliary shaft drives the camshafts of the engine.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
57 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 35 wherein the auxiliary shaft is driven at a speed ratio from the engine crankshaft other than unity and the camshafts are driven from the auxiliary shaft at a speed ratio other than unity and wherein the speed ratio between the camshafts and the crankshaft is 0.5:1.0.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 36 wherein the auxiliary shaft is driven from the engine output shaft by means of gearing located between the ends of the engine output shaft and further including a torsional vibration damper affixed for rotation to one end of said engine output shaft.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 37 wherein the engine output shaft comprises a crankshaft and the means for driving the auxiliary shaft includes a spur gear affixed to one of the cheeks of one of the throws of the crankshaft.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
78 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and rotating about an axis, an output shaft rotatable about an axis parallel to and offset from said crankshaft axis, drive means intermediate the ends of said crankshaft for driving said output shaft from said crankshaft, and a flywheel fixed for rotation at one end of said output shaft, the improvement comprising a torsional vibration damper affixed for rotation directly to one end of said crankshaft.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
78 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and rotating about an axis, an output shaft rotatable about an axis parallel to and offset from said crankshaft axis, drive means intermediate the ends of said crankshaft for driving said output shaft from said crankshaft, and a flywheel fixed for rotation at one end of said output shaft, the improvement comprising a torsional vibration damper affixed for rotation directly to one end of said crankshaft.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 39 wherein torsional vibration dampers are affixed to the opposite ends of the crankshaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 40 wherein the engine output shaft comprises a crankshaft and the means for driving the auxiliary shaft includes a spur gear affixed to one of the cheeks of one of the throws of the crankshaft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
67 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and having a plurality of throws defined by facing pairs of cheeks, at least one of said cheeks being formed as a generally cylindrical surface and carrying external gears thereon, an auxiliary shaft having a gear fixed thereon and enmeshed with the gear carried by said crankshaft for driving said auxiliary shaft from said crankshaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
67 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft driven by said engine and having a plurality of throws defined by facing pairs of cheeks, at least one of said cheeks being formed as a generally cylindrical surface and carrying external gears thereon, an auxiliary shaft having a gear fixed thereon and enmeshed with the gear carried by said crankshaft for driving said auxiliary shaft from said crankshaft.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 42 wherein the auxiliary shaft comprises means for driving the camshafts of the engine.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment and an engine disposed in said engine compartment and having a cylinder block extending transversely across said engine compartment, said cylinder block being formed with a plurality of aligned cylinders and driving a crankshaft rotatable about an axis extending transversely to the engine compartment, the improvement comprising said cylinders being inclined rearwardly from a vertically extending plane so that said crankshaft axis is disposed forwardly of said cylinders.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment and an engine disposed in said engine compartment and having a cylinder block extending transversely across said engine compartment, said cylinder block being formed with a plurality of aligned cylinders and driving a crankshaft rotatable about an axis extending transversely to the engine compartment, the improvement comprising said cylinders being inclined rearwardly from a vertically extending plane so that said crankshaft axis is disposed forwardly of said cylinders.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 44 wherein the crankshaft is rotatably journaled within a crankcase defined by a lower portion of the cylinder block and a crankcase pan, the mating faces between the cylinder block and the crankcase pan lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinders.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 45 further including forwardly facing intake ports formed on the cylinder block and an intake manifold affixed thereto and being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above said cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an engine having a cylinder block disposed transversely within said engine compartment and driving a crankshaft rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said engine compartment, said crankshaft being supported within a crankcase formed by the lower portion of said cylinder block and the upper portion of a crankcase pan, the improvement comprising said cylinder block being inclined from the vertical and the mating faces between the cylinder block and the crankcase pan lying in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of said cylinders.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an engine having a cylinder block disposed transversely within said engine compartment and driving a crankshaft rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said engine compartment, said crankshaft being supported within a crankcase formed by the lower portion of said cylinder block and the upper portion of a crankcase pan, the improvement comprising said cylinder block being inclined from the vertical and the mating faces between the cylinder block and the crankcase pan lying in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of said cylinders.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 47 further including forwardly facing intake ports formed on the cylinder block and an intake manifold affixed thereto and being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above said cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an engine having a cylinder block disposed transversely within said engine compartment and driving a crankshaft, the improvement comprising said cylinder block being inclined rearwardly from a vertically extending plane and having generally forwardly facing intake ports, an intake manifold extending forwardly from said intake ports and affixed to said cylinder block, said intake manifold being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above the cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an engine having a cylinder block disposed transversely within said engine compartment and driving a crankshaft, the improvement comprising said cylinder block being inclined rearwardly from a vertically extending plane and having generally forwardly facing intake ports, an intake manifold extending forwardly from said intake ports and affixed to said cylinder block, said intake manifold being curved downwardly and lying at least in part above the cylinder block and having an inlet end positioned forwardly thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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