JP2011247112A - Reciprocating one-cycle engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a structure related to the selective introduction of compressed air to two cylinder chambers, and the selective discharge of remaining air from the two cylinder chambers, in an engine having the two cylinder chambers.SOLUTION: The engine 10 includes an introduction passage 34 which introduces the compressed air to the first and second cylinder chambers 14, 16, and a discharge passage 36 which discharges the remaining air in the first and second cylinder chambers 14, 16. Furthermore, the engine 10 is characterized by comprising the first and second cylinder chambers 14, 16, and an on-off valve 38 which is arranged between the introduction passage 34 and the discharge passage 36, and switches a connecting relationship between and among the first and second cylinder chambers 14, 16, the introduction passage 34, and the discharge passage 36 on the basis of first and second strokes.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a reciprocating one-cycle engine having a piston mechanism that operates by compressed gas and having one reciprocating motion of a piston as one cycle.

  Conventionally, an engine having a piston mechanism including a cylinder and a piston that is accommodated so as to separate the cylinder into two spaces is known. In this engine, the piston mechanism can be operated by the compressed gas alternately introduced into the two spaces of the piston, and the pressure energy of the compressed gas can be converted into kinetic energy and output.

  Patent Document 1 below describes a pneumatic engine that rotates a crankshaft by reciprocating a piston with compressed air introduced into a cylinder. In this atmospheric pressure engine, a cylinder is separated into two cylinder chambers by a piston. These two cylinder chambers are connected to an air supply port for supplying compressed air and an exhaust port for exhausting the supplied compressed air as residual air, respectively. Each switchgear is provided. The opening / closing device is opened and closed according to the stroke of the piston.

JP 2001-132403 A

  In the engine described in Patent Document 1, an air supply port and an exhaust port are connected to two cylinder chambers, respectively, and a total of four ports are provided with opening / closing devices. In such a configuration, the number of parts increases and the structure becomes complicated. In this case, there are problems that the number of occurrences of failures increases, the size and weight of the apparatus increase, and the manufacturing cost increases.

  An object of the present invention is to simplify a structure related to alternative introduction of compressed gas into two cylinder chambers and alternative exhaust of residual gas from the two cylinder chambers in an engine having two cylinder chambers. An object of the present invention is to provide a reciprocating one-cycle engine that can be realized.

  The present invention has a cylinder and a piston that is reciprocated so as to be separated from the first and second cylinder chambers, introduces compressed gas into the first cylinder chamber, and retains the remaining in the second cylinder chamber. A reciprocating motion type in which one reciprocating motion of the piston is one cycle, which includes a first stroke for exhausting gas and a second stroke for exhausting residual gas in the first cylinder chamber and introducing compressed gas into the second cylinder chamber. In the one-cycle engine, the first passage is provided between an introduction passage for introducing compressed gas into each cylinder chamber, an exhaust passage for exhausting residual gas in each cylinder chamber, each cylinder chamber, and the introduction passage and the exhaust passage. And a switching valve for switching the connection relationship between each cylinder chamber and the introduction path and the exhaust path based on the second stroke.

  The switching valve connects the first cylinder chamber and the introduction path for a predetermined period of the first stroke and connects the second cylinder chamber and the exhaust path, and connects the first cylinder chamber and the exhaust path for a predetermined period of the second stroke. In addition to the connection, the second cylinder chamber and the introduction path can be connected.

  The switching valve has a first cylinder chamber port that communicates with the first cylinder chamber, a second cylinder chamber port that communicates with the second cylinder chamber, an introduction port that communicates with the introduction path, and an exhaust port that communicates with the exhaust path. A valve body, a valve body which is accommodated in the valve box and opens and closes between each cylinder chamber port, the inlet port and the exhaust port, and a valve which moves the valve body to two positions based on the first and second strokes A body moving member, and the valve body is in the first position, the first cylinder chamber port and the inlet port, and the second cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port are opened, and the valve body is in the first position. In the case of position 2, it is preferable that the first cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port, and the second cylinder chamber port and the inlet port are opened.

  The valve box has a valve seat which is a surface formed in the order of the first cylinder chamber port, the exhaust port, and the second cylinder chamber port, and the valve body moving member has the position of the valve body The valve body is reciprocated while contacting the valve seat so that the second position and the first position are arranged in the order in which the mouths are arranged in order, and the introduction port is a compressed gas supplied from the introduction passage. It is preferable that the reciprocating valve element is disposed at a position where the reciprocating valve element can be pressed against the valve seat.

  The valve body has a recess in the center of the surface facing the valve seat, and when the valve body is in the first position, the first cylinder chamber port is opened and connected to the introduction port, and the second cylinder When the chamber port and the exhaust port communicate with each other through the recess, and the valve body is in the second position, the first cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port communicate with each other through the recess, and the second cylinder chamber port opens. Valved and can be connected to the inlet.

  Moreover, it has the crankshaft connected to a piston, and the valve body moving member can convert the rotational motion of a crankshaft into reciprocating motion, and can move a valve body.

  In addition, a crankshaft chamber for accommodating the crankshaft is provided adjacent to the second cylinder chamber, a hole formed in a wall separating the second cylinder chamber and the crankshaft chamber, through which a connecting rod connecting the cylinder and the crankshaft passes. It is preferable that a seal member for maintaining the airtightness of the second cylinder chamber is provided.

  According to the reciprocating one-cycle engine of the present invention, in an engine having two cylinder chambers, alternative introduction of compressed gas into the two cylinder chambers and alternative selection of residual gas from the two cylinder chambers. Simplification of the structure with respect to simple exhaust.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the reciprocating type 1 cycle engine which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of the engine at the time of a 1st stroke. It is a figure which shows the state of the engine at the time of a 2nd stroke. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the rotation angle of a crankshaft, and the operation timing of a switching valve.

  Embodiments of a reciprocating one-cycle engine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This engine can be applied to a prime mover mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle or a prime mover used for other purposes. In the reciprocating one-cycle engine of the present embodiment, compressed air is used as the compressed gas. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and water vapor or other gas can be used as the compressed gas as long as it is a gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reciprocating one-cycle engine 10 according to the present embodiment. The reciprocating one-cycle engine 10 includes a cylinder 12 and a piston 18 accommodated so as to separate the cylinder 12 into two cylinder chambers, that is, a first cylinder chamber 14 and a second cylinder chamber 16.

  The reciprocating one-cycle engine 10 is an engine that uses one reciprocating motion of the piston 18 as one cycle, and includes a piston mechanism that converts compressed air into kinetic energy and outputs the kinetic energy. One reciprocating motion of the piston 18 means that a first stroke that introduces compressed air into the first cylinder chamber 14 and exhausts residual air in the second cylinder chamber 16, exhausts residual air in the first cylinder chamber 14, It is a two stroke consisting of a second stroke for introducing compressed air into the two cylinder chamber 16. Residual air refers to compressed air that has been introduced into the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 and thereafter has been reduced in pressure due to expansion of the cylinder chambers 14 and 16.

  A reciprocating one-cycle engine (hereinafter simply referred to as “engine”) 10 is connected to a cylinder 12, a piston 18 that is housed in the cylinder 12 and reciprocates, and a piston 18 through a connecting rod 20 and a connecting rod 22. And a crankshaft 24 for converting the reciprocating motion of the piston 18 into a rotational motion. The crankshaft 24 is provided with a rotation angle sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle thereof.

  The piston 18 is disposed so as to separate the cylinder 12 into the first and second cylinder chambers 14 and 16. In the present embodiment, the first cylinder chamber 14 is formed on the top dead center side (upper side of the drawing), and the second cylinder chamber 16 is formed on the bottom dead center side (lower side of the drawing), that is, on the crankshaft 24 side.

  The second cylinder chamber 16 is provided with a crankshaft chamber 26 that accommodates the crankshaft 24 adjacent thereto. A through hole 30 through which the connecting rod 20 passes is formed in the wall 28 that separates the second cylinder chamber 16 and the crankshaft chamber 26. The through hole 30 is provided with a seal member 32 that maintains the airtightness of the second cylinder chamber 16, for example, an O-ring. Such an airtight structure can prevent compressed air from entering the crankshaft chamber 26 from the second cylinder chamber 16. Further, even if the compressed gas used in the engine 10 is water vapor, the invasion of the water vapor is prevented, so that the water vapor is accumulated on the lubricating oil stored in the crankshaft chamber 26 and the oil is lubricated. It is possible to prevent the performance from being deteriorated.

  The engine 10 also has an introduction path 34 for introducing compressed air into the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 and an exhaust path 36 for exhausting residual air in the cylinder chambers 14 and 16. The compressed air is generated by a compressed gas generation source, for example, a compressor (not shown), and is supplied from the compressor to the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 via the introduction path 34.

  The engine 10 according to this embodiment includes a switching valve 38 provided between the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 and the introduction path 34 and the exhaust path 36. The switching valve 38 switches the connection relationship between the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 and the introduction path 34 and the exhaust path 36 based on the first and second strokes. Specifically, the switching valve 38 selectively switches the introduction of the compressed gas into the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 and selectively switches the exhaust of the residual gas from the cylinder chambers 14 and 16. With this configuration, the number of open / close devices corresponding to the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 is reduced from four to one as described in the prior art, so that the structure of the engine 10 can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of occurrences of failures, reduce the size and weight of the device, and reduce the manufacturing cost. Hereinafter, the configuration of the switching valve 38 will be described.

  The switching valve 38 includes a valve box 40, a valve body 42 accommodated in the valve box 40, and a valve body moving member 44 that is connected to the valve body 42 and moves the valve body 42.

  The valve box 40 communicates with the first cylinder chamber port 46 that communicates with the first cylinder chamber 14, the second cylinder chamber port 48 that communicates with the second cylinder chamber 16, the introduction port 50 that communicates with the introduction path 34, and the exhaust path 36. And an exhaust port 52. In this way, the number of passages connected to the cylinder chambers 14 and 16 is reduced from the total of four described in the prior art to two (first and second cylinder chamber ports 46 and 48). The structure can be simplified.

  Further, the valve box 40 has a valve seat 54 corresponding to the valve body 42. The switching valve 38 of the present embodiment is a valve device that switches the connection relationship by sliding the valve element 42 in one direction. Therefore, the first cylinder chamber port 46, the exhaust port 52, and the second cylinder chamber port 48 are arranged in a row in the valve seat 54. Specifically, the first cylinder chamber port 46, the exhaust port 52, and the second cylinder chamber port 48 are sequentially arranged from the top dead center to the bottom dead center side in the direction in which the piston 18 reciprocates. On the other hand, the introduction port 50 is disposed at a location where the valve body 42 can be pressed against the valve seat 54 by the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the introduction passage 34. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, the introduction port 50 is disposed on a surface different from the surface including the valve seat 54.

  With this configuration, even if a sealing member is not provided on the contact surface between the valve body 42 and the valve seat 54, the airtightness between the valve body 42 and the valve seat 54 can be ensured using the pressure of the compressed air. . In the present embodiment, the case where the introduction port 50 is disposed on a surface different from the surface including the valve seat 54 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. If the introduction port 50 is not blocked by the valve body 42, the introduction port 50 can be arranged on the surface including the valve seat 54.

  The valve body 42 is a member that opens and closes between the cylinder chamber ports 46 and 48 and the introduction port 50 and the exhaust port 52. The valve body 42 has a recess 56 in the center of the surface facing the valve seat 54. As will be described later, the recessed portion 56 has a function of communicating the cylinder chamber ports 46 and 48 disposed in the valve seat 54 with the exhaust port 52. The position of the valve body 42 shown in FIG. 1 is a valve-closed position (a third position described later). At this position, the surface of the valve body 42 facing the valve seat 54 closes the first and second cylinder chamber ports 46 and 48, and the recessed portion 56 covers the exhaust port 52. That is, the four ports are in a closed state where none of the ports is connected.

  The valve body moving member 44 has a cam 60 and a spring 62 that are connected to the valve body 42 via a valve shaft 58 and operate the valve body 42. In the valve box 40, a hole through which the valve shaft 58 passes is formed in parallel to the direction in which the piston 18 reciprocates, and in this hole, a valve shaft seal member 63 that maintains the airtightness of the valve box 40, For example, an O-ring is provided. With such an airtight structure, it is possible to prevent the compressed air from flowing out through the gap between the valve box 40 and the valve shaft 58. The cam 60 is provided to rotate in synchronization with the camshaft 64. The camshaft 64 is connected to the crankshaft 24 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a timing belt or a gear. This power transmission mechanism is configured such that the camshaft 64 makes one rotation while the crankshaft 24 makes one rotation because the cycle of the engine 10 is one cycle of two strokes. Within this one cycle, that is, within the first and second strokes, the valve body moving member 44 can convert the rotational motion of the crankshaft 24 into reciprocating motion to move the valve body 42. That is, the valve body moving member 44 can move the valve body 42 so as to reciprocate between two positions. In addition, the two positions of the valve body 42 and the positions on the bottom dead center side in the direction in which the piston 18 reciprocates are hereinafter referred to as a first position. On the other hand, the two positions of the valve body 42 and the positions on the top dead center side in the direction in which the piston 18 reciprocates are hereinafter referred to as second positions. The position between the first position and the second position that is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 1 is hereinafter referred to as a third position. When the valve body 42 is in the third position, the valve box 40 is filled with compressed air introduced from the introduction port 50.

  The operation of the engine 10 configured as described above and the operation of the switching valve 38 at that time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the state of the engine 10 during the first stroke, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the state of the engine 10 during the second stroke, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the rotation angle and switching of the crankshaft 24. It is a figure which shows the relationship with the operation timing of the valve. In these drawings, as an example, the case where the cycle is the clockwise direction in the drawings will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows that when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is 0 degrees, the piston 18 is at the top dead center, and when the rotation angle is 180 degrees, the piston 18 is at the bottom dead center. Since the cycle is clockwise as described above, in FIG. 4, when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is 0 to 180 degrees, the first stroke, and the rotation angle is 180 to 360 degrees. Is shown to be the second stroke.

  First, the state of the engine 10 during the first stroke will be described. During the first stroke, the switching valve 38 connects the first cylinder chamber 14 and the introduction path 34 and connects the second cylinder chamber 16 and the exhaust path 36 for a predetermined period. During this period, the valve element 42 moves in the direction of the arrow 70 to the first position as shown in FIG. 2, and the first cylinder chamber port 46, the introduction port 50, and the second cylinder chamber port 48 The exhaust ports 52 are each opened. Specifically, the movement of the valve body 42 shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow 70 opens the first cylinder chamber port 46 closed by the valve body 42 and connects it to the introduction port 50. . On the other hand, the movement of the valve body 42 in the direction of the arrow 70 causes the second cylinder chamber port 48 closed by the valve body 42 to communicate with the exhaust port 52 via the recess 56.

  Along with the connection between the first cylinder chamber port 46 and the introduction port 50, compressed air is introduced from the introduction path 34 into the first cylinder chamber 14. Due to the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the first cylinder chamber 14, the piston 18 is pressed in the direction of the arrow 70 and descends. On the other hand, with the movement of the piston 18 and the connection between the second cylinder chamber port 48 and the exhaust port 52, residual air is exhausted from the second cylinder chamber 16 to the exhaust path 36. Due to the linear movement of the piston 18, the crankshaft 24 rotates in the clockwise direction.

  In the state where the valve body 42 is in the first position in the first stroke, it is preferable that the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is between 5 and 175 degrees as shown in FIG. By setting the valve body 42 to the first position at such timing, it is possible to secure a larger amount of compressed air to be introduced and increase the output. In addition, by setting the valve body 42 to the first position at such timing, the amount of residual air to be exhausted is ensured and resistance to the movement of the piston 18 can be reduced, resulting in improved operating efficiency. You can plan.

  Next, the state of the engine 10 during the second stroke will be described. During the second stroke, the switching valve 38 connects the first cylinder chamber 14 and the exhaust passage 36 and connects the second cylinder chamber 16 and the introduction passage 34 for a predetermined period. During this period, the valve element 42 moves in the direction of the arrow 72 to the second position as shown in FIG. 3, and the first cylinder chamber port 46, the exhaust port 52, and the second cylinder chamber port 48 Each inlet 50 is opened. Specifically, the movement of the valve body 42 shown in FIG. 1 from the state of the valve body 42 in the direction of arrow 72 causes the first cylinder chamber port 46 closed by the valve body 42 to be connected to the exhaust port 52 via the recess 56. Communicate. On the other hand, the movement of the valve body 42 in the direction of the arrow 70 causes the second cylinder chamber port 48 closed by the valve body 42 to be opened and connected to the introduction port 50.

  Along with the connection between the second cylinder chamber port 48 and the introduction port 50, compressed air is introduced into the second cylinder chamber 16 from the introduction path 34. Due to the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the second cylinder chamber 16, the piston 18 is pressed in the direction of arrow 72 and rises. On the other hand, with the movement of the piston 18 and the connection between the first cylinder chamber port 46 and the exhaust port 52, residual air is exhausted from the first cylinder chamber 14 to the exhaust path 36. Due to the linear movement of the piston 18, the crankshaft 24 rotates in the clockwise direction.

  In the state where the valve body 42 is in the second position in the second stroke, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is preferably between 185 and 355 degrees as shown in FIG. By setting the valve body 42 to the second position at such timing, it is possible to secure a larger amount of compressed air to be introduced, and to increase the output. In addition, by setting the valve body 42 to the second position at such timing, it is possible to ensure the amount of residual air to be exhausted and reduce the resistance to the movement of the piston 18, and as a result, improve the operation efficiency. Can be planned.

  According to the present embodiment, one passage is connected to each cylinder chamber 14, 16, and one mechanism for switching the connection between each cylinder chamber 14, 16 and the introduction passage 34 and the exhaust passage 36 is used. As a result, the structure of the engine 10 can be simplified. As a result, as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of failures, reduce the size and weight of the device, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

  In the present embodiment, the first position of the valve body 42 is that the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is between 5 and 175 degrees, and the second position of the valve body 42 is that of the rotation angle of the crankshaft 24 is 185. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In both the first and second strokes, since the piston 18 is driven by the pressure of the compressed air, the period of the first and second positions is lengthened, and more compressed air is supplied to the cylinder chambers 14 and 16. You may make it introduce. Thereby, it is possible to exhaust a larger amount of residual air that becomes the movement resistance of the piston 18 from the cylinder chambers 14 and 16.

  In the present embodiment, the switching valve 38 is a valve device that switches the connection relationship by sliding the valve body 42 in one direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The switching valve 38 may be a valve device that rotates the valve body 42 about the valve shaft 58 to switch the connection of the four ports, that is, a four-way valve.

  10 reciprocating 1-cycle engine, 12 cylinder, 14 first cylinder chamber, 16 second cylinder chamber, 18 piston, 20 connecting rod, 24 crankshaft, 26 crankshaft chamber, 28 walls, 30 through hole, 32 seal member, 34 Inlet path, 36 Exhaust path, 38 Switching valve, 40 Valve box, 42 Valve element, 44 Valve element moving member, 46 First cylinder chamber port, 48 Second cylinder chamber port, 50 Inlet port, 52 Exhaust port, 54 Valve Seat, 56 Recessed portion, 58 Valve shaft, 60 cam, 62 Spring, 63 Valve shaft seal member, 64 Cam shaft.

The switching valve connects the first cylinder chamber and the introduction path for a predetermined period of the first stroke and connects the second cylinder chamber and the exhaust path, and connects the first cylinder chamber and the exhaust path for a predetermined period of the second stroke. Closed and connected to the second cylinder chamber and the introduction path, between the predetermined period of the first stroke and the predetermined period of the second stroke, including a transition between the first stroke and the second stroke. Can be in a valve state .

Claims (7)

A cylinder,
A piston reciprocatingly accommodated so as to separate the cylinder into first and second cylinder chambers;
Have
A first stroke for introducing compressed gas into the first cylinder chamber and exhausting residual gas in the second cylinder chamber, and a second stroke for exhausting residual gas in the first cylinder chamber and introducing compressed gas into the second cylinder chamber In a reciprocating one-cycle engine in which one reciprocating motion of a piston is one cycle,
An introduction path for introducing compressed gas into each cylinder chamber;
An exhaust passage for exhausting residual gas in each cylinder chamber;
A switching valve that is provided between each cylinder chamber and the introduction path and the exhaust path, and switches the connection relationship between each cylinder chamber and the introduction path and the exhaust path based on the first and second strokes;
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by comprising: The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to claim 1,
The switching valve connects the first cylinder chamber and the introduction path for a predetermined period of the first stroke, connects the second cylinder chamber and the exhaust path, and connects the first cylinder chamber and the exhaust path for a predetermined period of the second stroke. And connecting the second cylinder chamber and the introduction path,
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above. The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to claim 2,
The switching valve
A valve box having a first cylinder chamber port that communicates with the first cylinder chamber, a second cylinder chamber port that communicates with the second cylinder chamber, an introduction port that communicates with the introduction path, and an exhaust port that communicates with the exhaust path;
A valve body that is accommodated in the valve box and opens and closes between each cylinder chamber opening and the inlet and exhaust ports;
A valve body moving member that moves the valve body to two positions based on the first and second strokes;
Have
When the valve body is in the first position, the first cylinder chamber port and the introduction port, and the second cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port are opened,
When the valve body is in the second position, the first cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port, and the second cylinder chamber port and the inlet port are opened.
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above. The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to claim 3,
The valve box has a valve seat that is a surface formed in the order of the first cylinder chamber port, the exhaust port, and the second cylinder chamber port,
The valve body moving member reciprocates while the valve body is in contact with the valve seat so that the position of the valve body is in the order of the second position and the first position along the direction in which the mouths are arranged in order. ,
The introduction port is arranged at a place where the valve body that reciprocates can be pressed against the valve seat by the pressure of the compressed gas supplied from the introduction path.
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above. The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to claim 4,
The valve body has a recess in the center of the surface facing the valve seat,
When the valve body is in the first position, the first cylinder chamber port is opened and connected to the introduction port, and the second cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port communicate with each other through the recess,
When the valve body is in the second position, the first cylinder chamber port and the exhaust port communicate with each other through the recess, and the second cylinder chamber port is opened and connected to the introduction port.
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above. The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to claim 4 or 5,
A crankshaft connected to the piston,
The valve body moving member moves the valve body by converting the rotational movement of the crankshaft into a reciprocating movement.
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above. The reciprocating one-cycle engine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A crankshaft chamber that houses the crankshaft is provided adjacent to the second cylinder chamber,
A hole formed in a wall that separates the second cylinder chamber and the crankshaft chamber and through which a connecting rod that connects the cylinder and the crankshaft passes is provided with a seal member that keeps the airtightness of the second cylinder chamber.
A reciprocating one-cycle engine characterized by the above.

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