Granted Patent B2

US 7,077,094 · App. 11/021,154 · Granted Jul 18, 2006

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. An engine drive assembly comprising:

a camshaft gear;

a first idler gear engaged with the camshaft gear;

a crankshaft gear engaged with the first idler gear;

a second idler gear assembly engaged with the crankshaft gear; and

a balance shaft gear engaged with the second idler gear;

wherein the crankshaft gear drives the camshaft gear via the first idler gear and the crankshaft gear drives the balance shaft gear via the second idler gear assembly, wherein the camshaft gear, first idler gear, crankshaft rear, second idler gear assembly, and balance shaft gear are supported with a balance shaft housing, the balance shaft housing including a balance shaft housing centerline, and wherein the camshaft gear, first idler gear, crankshaft gear, and balance shaft gear are each disposed along the balance shaft housing centerline.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the second idler gear assembly comprises a plurality of gears.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the second idler gear assembly comprises a crankshaft idler gear that rotates about a crankshaft idler gear centerline and a balance shaft idler gear that rotates about a balance shaft idler gear centerline, and wherein the balance shaft idler gear does is not disposed along the balance shaft housing centerline.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the second idler gear assembly includes a second idler gear assembly centerline, the second idler gear assembly centerline disposed along the balance shaft housing centerline and parallel with the crankshaft centerline.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first idler gear rotates about a first idler gear centerline and wherein the first idler gear centerline is parallel to the crankshaft centerline.

6. A balance shaft gear carrier drive, including:

a balance shaft housing;

a camshaft gear supported by the balance shaft housing;

a first idler gear engaged with the camshaft gear;

a crankshaft gear engaged with the first idler gear, the crankshaft gear supported by the balance shaft housing;

a balance shaft gear; and

a second idler gear assembly, the second idler gear assembly including a crankshaft idler gear engaged with a balance shaft idler gear, the crankshaft idler gear engaged with the crankshaft gear and the balance shaft idler rear engaged with the balance shaft gear;

wherein the crankshaft gear drives the camshaft gear via the first idler gear and the crankshaft gear drives the balance shaft gear via the second idler gear assembly; and wherein the crankshaft idler gear includes a crankshaft idler gear centerline and the balance shaft idler gear includes a balance shaft idler gear centerline, the crankshaft idler gear centerline and balance shaft idler gear centerline disposed along a block centerline.

7. The balance shaft gear carrier drive of claim 6 wherein the first idler gear is in direct contact with the camshaft gear and crankshaft gear, and wherein the second idler gear assembly is in direct contact with the balance shaft gear and crankshaft gear.

8. The balance shaft gear carrier of claim 6 , further including a cover.

9. A balance shaft gear carrier drive, including:

a balance shaft housing;

a camshaft gear supported by the balance shaft housing;

a first idler gear engaged with the camshaft gear;

a crankshaft gear engaged with the first idler gear, the crankshaft gear supported by the balance shaft housing;

a balance shaft gear; and

a second idler pear assembly the second idler gear assembly including a crankshaft idler gear engaged with a balance shaft idler gear, the crankshaft idler gear engaged with the crankshaft gear and the balance shaft idler gear engaged with the balance shaft gear;

wherein the crankshaft gear drives the camshaft gear via the first idler gear and the crankshaft gear drives the balance shaft gear via the second idler gear assembly; and wherein the crankshaft idler gear includes a crankshaft idler gear centerline and the balance shaft idler gear includes a balance shaft idler gear centerline, the crankshaft idler gear centerline and balance shaft idler gear centerline not disposed along a block centerline.

10. The balance shaft gear carrier of claim 9 , further including a cover.

11. The balance shaft gear carrier drive of claim 9 wherein the first idler gear is in direct contact with the camshaft gear and crankshaft gear, and wherein the second idler gear assembly is in direct contact with the balance shaft gear and crankshaft gear.

Assignments (20)