According to the detailed design of an internal combustion engine. How is an internal combustion engine arranged? Auxiliary systems of the internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine (ICE) is an engine in which the combustion of fuel occurs directly inside the working chamber. It is these units that are widely used in the automotive industry, providing the conversion of thermal energy from fuel combustion into mechanical force.

The method for implementing the working cycle can take place in one cycle, or in two cycles. Therefore, two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines are distinguished. The stroke is the piston stroke between two dead centers, with the crankshaft rotated 180 degrees.

Principle of operation

The principles of operation of each type of engine are somewhat different. In a two-stroke motor, in one revolution, the work cycle is completed in two stages - due to compression and expansion. There are no valves in such a device, and the piston performs their function. Its movement ensures the opening and closing of purge windows.

The working process in a four-stroke engine occurs in four stages. At the same time, processes such as intake at the first stage and release at the fourth stage, respectively, are added to compression and expansion.

The main difference between such motors is excellent gas exchange mechanisms, i.e. fuel supply to the cylinders and exhaust gases. The design of four-stroke units includes a gas distribution mechanism that ensures the opening and closing of valves at certain points in time. In two-stroke engines, the cylinders are emptied and filled during the compression and expansion strokes.

Video: Device and how an internal combustion engine works

General ICE device

According to the type of thermal energy conversion, all engines can be divided into the following types:

• Piston. In such units, fuel combustion occurs in cylinders, and due to the reciprocating movement of the piston, due to the crank mechanism, thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy;
• Rotary piston. Energy is converted by rotating a rotor with a special profile due to working gases;
• Gas turbine. In such engines, the energy conversion is provided by a rotor with wedge-shaped blades.

The most popular and in demand among all types of units is a piston internal combustion engine, due to its versatility, ability to quickly start and the ability to work with various types of fuel.

The general device of the internal combustion engine includes the body of the unit, as well as two types of mechanisms - crank and gas distribution. In addition, it contains a number of systems - power, ignition, start-up, cooling and lubrication. All of these systems consist of certain units and mechanisms, as well as the necessary communication elements.

Important! Only thanks to the coordinated performance of their functions by mechanisms and systems, the uninterrupted operation of the internal combustion engine is ensured.

crank mechanism

The cyclic translational motion of the piston, described by it when moving in the cylinder, must be converted into rotational motion of the crankshaft. It is this action that is provided thanks to the crank mechanism (KShM).

The design of such a mechanism includes moving components - pistons, piston rings, fingers, connecting rods, flywheel and crankshaft. The KShM also includes fixed elements - a cylinder block and a gasket, a cylinder head, cylinders, a crankcase, a pallet. In addition, the device includes various fasteners, mounting and connecting rod bearings.

Gas distribution mechanism

Thanks to the gas distribution mechanism (GRM), timely supply of air or fuel-air mixture to the cylinders, depending on the type of internal combustion engine, as well as the release of exhaust gases into the exhaust system.

Interesting! Thanks to the timely opening or closing of the timing valves, the uninterrupted operation of the mechanism is ensured.

The timing structure includes the following components and mechanisms:

• camshaft. Cast iron or steel element that opens or closes valves.
• Pushers. They provide the transfer of forces to the valves from the cams.
• intake and exhaust valves. Contribute to the supply of the mixture into the chamber, and also remove exhaust gases. Depending on the diameter of the head, inlet and outlet valves are distinguished. In addition, the intake valve head is chrome-plated, and the exhaust valve head is made of heat-resistant steel.
• Rods. Due to which there is a transfer of force from the pushers to the rods.
• Timing drive, which provides the opening and closing of valves, by transferring the rotation of the crankshaft to the camshaft. As a drive, both a belt and a timing chain, as well as a gear train, can be used.

Supply system

The composition of this system includes such devices as fuel storage elements, air cleaning devices, fuel cleaning and supply units, as well as devices for preparing the fuel mixture.

The internal combustion engine batteries are:

• Fuel tank and fuel lines;
• Fuel filter and pump;
• Air filter;
• Carburetor, mono injection or injector, depending on the device of the power system.

Interesting! In injector power systems, the operation of fuel injectors is regulated by an electronic device - a control unit, the design of which includes various control sensors.

The main functions of the fuel system are:

• Fuel supply from the tank;
• Fuel filtration;
• The formation of a combustible mixture;
• Supply of the mixture to the cylinders.

Fuel systems differ depending on the type of fuel used: in diesel units, injection into the chamber occurs at high pressure, for which a high-pressure fuel pump is used.

Ignition system

The main function of this system is to supply a spark to the spark plugs at a certain point in time. There are three main types of ignition systems:

• Contact. The creation of impulses occurs at the moment of breaking the contacts.
• Contactless. The control pulses are generated by a transistor control device.
• The microprocessor ignition system is controlled by an electronic device.

The main elements of the system are:

• Power supply;
• Ignition switch;
• Storage device;
• Spark plug;
• Distribution system;
• High voltage wire.

The principle of operation of this system is based on the accumulation of voltage with low characteristics by the ignition coil and its transformation into high voltage. After the accumulated energy is transferred to the spark plugs, and the spark formed at the required time ignites the fuel-air mixture.

Start

The main components of the internal combustion engine start-up system are:

• Starter;
• Accumulator battery;
• Ignition switch.

This system provides a convenient, reliable and quick engine start, regardless of the operating conditions of the vehicle.

Cooling

The functioning of systems and mechanisms of internal combustion engines without organizing the removal of excess heat is not possible, since their operation is associated with an increased temperature regime. The main purpose of the cooling system is to reduce the temperature of the working elements of the motor.

Interesting! If the car is equipped with an automatic transmission, then the cooling system is also involved in organizing the cooling of the transmission fluid.

There are two main types of internal combustion engine cooling systems:

• liquid;
• Air.

In addition to the main functions, the cooling system is responsible for:

• The operation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system;
• Oil cooling in the lubrication system;
• Cooling gases in the exhaust system.

The most common is a liquid cooling system, which is facilitated by uniform and efficient cooling of components and mechanisms, as well as a low noise level during operation.

Important elements of the cooling system are:

• Liquid radiator;
• Oil radiator;
• Heat exchanger;
• Fan;
• Centrifugal pump;
• Expansion tank;
• Thermostat.

An important consumable material, due to which cooling is provided, is the working fluid - antifreeze.

Lubrication system

The operation of the mechanisms and components of the internal combustion engine takes place under conditions of constant friction of the elements. This adversely affects their condition, causing wear and reducing the performance of the unit. It is to prevent such negative phenomena that a lubrication system is included in the design of the internal combustion engine. It is combined, i.e. engine oil is mixed with fuel.

The main elements of the ICE lubrication system are:

• Oil filter and pump;
• Pallet;
• Fence;
• Circuits providing oil supply to the elements.

With the help of an oil pump, oil is supplied to the filter, and then it is distributed between the lubrication units and channels. This process occurs constantly, and thanks to the presence of special sensors, the pressure in the system is monitored.

tuning

To improve the performance of the engine, its modernization and increase in torque, a procedure such as tuning is used. The main types of tuning are:

• Cylinder boring, which contributes to an increase in the combustion chamber of the fuel, which somewhat increases the power capabilities of the unit.
• Turbine installation, which provides an increase in engine power and efficiency;
• Chip tuning - an increase in performance by changing the operation of the electronic part of the control unit.
• Installation of nitrous oxide, which contributes to a significant increase in engine power.

As a rule, tuning is carried out only if the components and mechanisms of the power unit are in full working order and must be carried out by qualified car service masters.

For the smooth and efficient operation of the internal combustion engine, you should pay attention to any changes and timely diagnose and repair equipment.

- a universal power unit used in almost all types of modern transport. Three beams enclosed in a circle, the words "On the ground, on the water and in the sky" is the trademark and motto of Mercedes Benz, one of the leading manufacturers of diesel and gasoline engines. The device of the engine, the history of its creation, the main types and prospects for development - this is a summary of this material.

A bit of history

The principle of converting reciprocating motion into rotational, through the use of a crank mechanism, has been known since 1769, when the Frenchman Nicolas Joseph Cugnot showed the world the first steam car. The engine used water vapor as a working fluid, was low-powered and spewed out clubs of black, foul-smelling smoke. Similar units were used as power plants in factories, factories, ships and trains, while compact models existed as a technical curiosity.

Everything changed at the moment when, in search of new sources of energy, humanity turned its attention to an organic liquid - oil. In an effort to improve the energy characteristics of this product, scientists and researchers conducted experiments on distillation and distillation, and, finally, they obtained a hitherto unknown substance - gasoline. This transparent liquid with a yellowish tinge burned without the formation of soot and soot, releasing much more thermal energy than crude oil.

Around the same time, Étienne Lenoir designed the first two-stroke internal combustion gas engine and patented it in 1880.

In 1885, the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler, in collaboration with the entrepreneur Wilhelm Maybach, developed a compact gasoline engine, which found its way into the first car models a year later. Rudolf Diesel, working in the direction of increasing the efficiency of the internal combustion engine (internal combustion engine), in 1897 proposed a fundamentally new fuel ignition scheme. Ignition in the engine, named after the great designer and inventor, occurs due to the heating of the working fluid during compression.

And in 1903, the Wright brothers took to the air their first aircraft, equipped with a Wright-Taylor gasoline engine, with a primitive fuel injection scheme.

How it works

The general arrangement of the engine and the basic principles of its operation will become clear when studying a single-cylinder two-stroke model.

Such an ICE consists of:

• combustion chambers;
• a piston connected to the crankshaft by means of a crank mechanism;
• systems for supplying and igniting the fuel-air mixture;
• valve for removing combustion products (exhaust gases).

When starting the engine, the piston moves from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC) by turning the crankshaft. Having reached the bottom point, it changes the direction of movement to the TDC, at the same time the fuel-air mixture is supplied to the combustion chamber. The moving piston compresses the fuel assembly, and when top dead center is reached, the electronic ignition system ignites the mixture. Rapidly expanding, burning gasoline vapors throw the piston to bottom dead center. After passing a certain part of the way, it opens the exhaust valve through which hot gases leave the combustion chamber. Having passed the bottom point, the piston changes direction of movement to TDC. During this time, the crankshaft made one revolution.

These explanations will become more clear when watching a video about the operation of an internal combustion engine.

This video clearly shows the device and the operation of the car engine.

Two measures

The main disadvantage of the push-pull scheme, in which the piston plays the role of a gas distribution element, is the loss of the working substance at the time of removal of the exhaust gases. And the forced purge system and increased requirements for heat resistance of the exhaust valve lead to an increase in the price of the engine. Otherwise, it is not possible to achieve high power and durability of the power unit. The main scope of such engines is mopeds and inexpensive motorcycles, outboard motors and gas mowers.

Four bars

The four-stroke internal combustion engines used in more "serious" technology are deprived of the described shortcomings. Each phase of the operation of such an engine (mixture intake, its compression, power stroke and exhaust gases) is carried out using a gas distribution mechanism.

The separation of the phases of the internal combustion engine is very conditional. The inertia of the exhaust gases, the occurrence of local vortices and reverse flows in the exhaust valve area leads to mutual overlapping in time of the processes of injection of the fuel mixture and removal of combustion products. As a result, the working fluid in the combustion chamber is contaminated with exhaust gases, as a result of which the combustion parameters of fuel assemblies change, heat transfer decreases, and power drops.

The problem was successfully solved by mechanically synchronizing the operation of the intake and exhaust valves with the crankshaft speed. Simply put, the injection of the fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber will occur only after the complete removal of exhaust gases and the closing of the exhaust valve.

But this gas distribution control system also has its drawbacks. The optimal mode of engine operation (minimum fuel consumption and maximum power) can be achieved in a fairly narrow range of crankshaft speeds.

The development of computer technology and the introduction of electronic control units made it possible to successfully solve this problem. The electromagnetic control system for the operation of internal combustion engine valves allows you to select the optimal gas distribution mode on the fly, depending on the operating mode. Animated diagrams and dedicated videos make this process easier to understand.

Based on the video, it is not difficult to conclude that a modern car is a huge number of various sensors.

Types of internal combustion engines

The general arrangement of the engine remains unchanged for quite a long time. The main differences relate to the types of fuel used, the systems for preparing the fuel-air mixture and the schemes for its ignition.
Consider three main types:

1. gasoline carburetor;
2. petrol injection;
3. diesel.

Petrol carburetor ICEs

The preparation of a homogeneous (homogeneous in composition) fuel-air mixture occurs by spraying liquid fuel in the air stream, the intensity of which is controlled by the degree of rotation of the throttle. All operations for the preparation of the mixture are carried out outside the combustion chamber of the engine. The advantages of a carburetor engine are the ability to adjust the composition of the fuel mixture "on the knee", ease of maintenance and repair, and the relative cheapness of the design. The main disadvantage is increased fuel consumption.

Historical reference. The first engine of this type was designed and patented in 1888 by the Russian inventor Ogneslav Kostovich. The opposed system of horizontally arranged and moving towards each other pistons is still successfully used in the creation of internal combustion engines. The most famous car in which an internal combustion engine of this design was used is the Volkswagen Beetle.

Petrol injection engines

The preparation of fuel assemblies is carried out in the combustion chamber of the engine, by spraying the fuel with injector nozzles. The injection is controlled by an electronic unit or on-board computer of the vehicle. The immediate reaction of the control system to a change in the engine operating mode ensures stable operation and optimal fuel consumption. The disadvantage is the complexity of the design, prevention and adjustment are possible only at specialized service stations.

Diesel internal combustion engines

The fuel-air mixture is prepared directly in the combustion chamber of the engine. At the end of the compression cycle of the air in the cylinder, the nozzle injects fuel. Ignition occurs due to contact with atmospheric air superheated during compression. Just 20 years ago, low-speed diesel engines were used as power units for special equipment. The advent of turbocharging technology opened the way for them into the world of passenger cars.

Ways for further development of internal combustion engines

Design thinking never stands still. The main directions for further development and improvement of internal combustion engines are to increase efficiency and minimize environmentally harmful substances in the composition of exhaust gases. The use of layered fuel mixtures, the design of combined and hybrid internal combustion engines are only the first stages of a long journey.

The internal combustion engine, or internal combustion engine, is the most common type of engine found in automobiles. Despite the fact that the internal combustion engine in modern cars consists of many parts, its principle of operation is extremely simple. Let's take a closer look at what an internal combustion engine is and how it functions in a car.

DVS what is it?

An internal combustion engine is a type of heat engine that converts part of the chemical energy obtained from the combustion of fuel into mechanical energy that sets the mechanisms in motion.

Internal combustion engines are divided into categories according to work cycles: two-stroke and four-stroke. They are also distinguished by the method of preparing the fuel-air mixture: with external (injectors and carburetors) and internal (diesel units) mixture formation. Depending on how the energy is converted in the engines, they are divided into piston, jet, turbine and combined.

The main mechanisms of the internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine is made up of a huge number of elements. But there are basic ones that characterize its performance. Let's look at the structure of the internal combustion engine and its main mechanisms.

1. The cylinder is the most important part of the power unit. Automotive engines typically have four or more cylinders, up to sixteen in production supercars. The arrangement of cylinders in such engines can be in one of three orders: linear, V-shaped and opposed.

2. The spark plug generates a spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture. Due to this, the combustion process takes place. For the engine to work "like a clock", the spark must be supplied exactly at the right time.

3. The intake and exhaust valves also only function at certain times. One opens when you need to let in the next portion of fuel, the other when you need to release exhaust gases. Both valves are firmly closed when the engine is under compression and combustion strokes. This provides the necessary complete tightness.

4. The piston is a metal part that is shaped like a cylinder. The piston moves up and down inside the cylinder.

5. Piston rings serve as sliding seals for the outer edge of the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder. Their use is due to two purposes:

They prevent the combustible mixture from entering the crankcase of the internal combustion engine from the combustion chamber at the moments of compression and the working cycle.

They prevent oil from getting into the combustion chamber from the crankcase, because there it can ignite. Many cars that burn oil are equipped with older engines and their piston rings no longer seal properly.

6. The connecting rod serves as a connecting element between the piston and the crankshaft.

7. The crankshaft converts the translational motion of the pistons into rotational.

8. The crankcase is located around the crankshaft. A certain amount of oil is collected in its lower part (pan).

The principle of operation of the internal combustion engine

In the previous sections, we considered the purpose and design of the internal combustion engine. As you already understood, each such engine has pistons and cylinders, inside which thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy. This, in turn, makes the car move. This process repeats itself at an astounding rate of several times per second. Due to this, the crankshaft that comes out of the engine rotates continuously.

Let us consider in more detail the principle of operation of an internal combustion engine. The mixture of fuel and air enters the combustion chamber through the intake valve. Then it is compressed and ignited by a spark from a spark plug. When the fuel burns, a very high temperature is generated in the chamber, which leads to an overpressure in the cylinder. This causes the piston to move towards the "dead center". He thus makes one working move. When the piston moves down, it rotates the crankshaft through the connecting rod. Then, moving from the bottom dead center to the top, it pushes the waste material in the form of gases through the exhaust valve further into the exhaust system of the machine.

A stroke is a process that occurs in a cylinder in one stroke of the piston. The set of such cycles, which are repeated in strict sequence and for a certain period, is the working cycle of the internal combustion engine.

Inlet

The intake stroke is the first. It starts at the top dead center of the piston. It moves down, sucking a mixture of fuel and air into the cylinder. This stroke occurs when the intake valve is open. By the way, there are engines that have several intake valves. Their technical characteristics significantly affect the power of the internal combustion engine. In some engines, the time the intake valves are open can be adjusted. This is controlled by pressing the gas pedal. Thanks to such a system, the amount of fuel taken in increases, and after its ignition, the power of the power unit also increases significantly. The car in this case can significantly accelerate.

Compression

The second working cycle of an internal combustion engine is compression. When the piston reaches bottom dead center, it rises. Due to this, the mixture that has entered the cylinder is compressed during the first cycle. The fuel-air mixture is compressed to the size of the combustion chamber. This is the same free space between the tops of the cylinder and the piston, which is at its top dead center. The valves are tightly closed during this cycle. The tighter the formed space, the better the compression obtained. It is very important what condition the piston, its rings and cylinder have. If gaps are present somewhere, then there can be no talk of good compression, and, consequently, the power of the power unit will be significantly lower. The amount of compression determines how worn out the power unit is.

working stroke

This third measure starts at top dead center. And this name he received not by chance. It is during this cycle that the processes that move the car take place in the engine. In this stroke, the ignition system is connected. It is responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture compressed in the combustion chamber. The principle of operation of the internal combustion engine in this cycle is very simple - the candle of the system gives a spark. After ignition of the fuel, a microexplosion occurs. After that, it sharply increases in volume, forcing the piston to move sharply down. The valves in this stroke are in the closed state, as in the previous one.

Release

The final cycle of the internal combustion engine is exhaust. After the stroke, the piston reaches bottom dead center and then the exhaust valve opens. After that, the piston moves up, and through this valve ejects the exhaust gases from the cylinder. This is the ventilation process. The degree of compression in the combustion chamber, the complete removal of waste materials and the required amount of air-fuel mixture depend on how clearly the valve works.

After this step, everything starts anew. What makes the crankshaft rotate? The fact is that not all the energy is spent on the movement of the car. Part of the energy spins the flywheel, which, under the action of inertial forces, spins the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, moving the piston to non-working cycles.

Do you know? A diesel engine is heavier than a gasoline engine due to the higher mechanical stress. Therefore, constructors use more massive elements. But the resource of such engines is higher than gasoline counterparts. In addition, diesel vehicles ignite much less frequently than gasoline vehicles, since diesel is non-volatile.

Advantages and disadvantages

We have learned what an internal combustion engine is, as well as what its structure and principle of operation are. In conclusion, we will analyze its main advantages and disadvantages.

ICE advantages:

1. The possibility of long-term movement on a full tank.

2. Light weight and tank volume.

3. Autonomy.

4. Versatility.

5. Moderate cost.

6. Compact dimensions.

7. Quick start.

8. Ability to use multiple types of fuel.

ICE Disadvantages:

1. Weak operational efficiency.

2. Strong environmental pollution.

3. Mandatory presence of a gearbox.

4. Lack of energy recovery mode.

5. Works underload most of the time.

6. Very noisy.

7. High speed rotation of the crankshaft.

8. Small resource.

Interesting fact! The smallest engine is designed in Cambridge. Its dimensions are 5 * 15 * 3 mm, and its power is 11.2 watts. The crankshaft speed is 50,000 rpm.

Machine engine components:

Cylinder and crankcase protected from below by a pallet;

A piston with compression rings located inside the cylinder;

A crankshaft that runs in the crankcase main bearings.

Elements of the crankshaft: main journals, cheeks and connecting rod journals. With the help of a cylinder, piston, connecting rod and crankshaft, the crank mechanism drives the pistons, resulting in the rotation of the crankshaft.

A head block with valves is installed on top of the cylinders. Their opening and closing is technically coordinated with the rotation of the crankshaft, which sets the piston in sequential motion.

The piston moves to the upper end point (TDC) and the lower end point (BDC).

When the car engine is running, the piston moves non-stop from TDC to BDC thanks to a disc-shaped flywheel and a metal crown pressed tightly onto it with teeth in the form of a rim.

Why is the engine running?

The operation of the engine is based on the fact that when fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber in the TDC position, a spark is supplied from the spark plug and a mini-fuel explosion occurs. In this case, the pressure of the explosive gases pushes the piston to BDC. In this process, all the pistons of the engine are alternately involved, setting in motion the crank mechanism of the crankshaft, which allows the car to move.

For the constant and correct operation of the engine, it is necessary that new portions of air and fuel periodically enter the intake valve through the nozzles. Exhaust gases, after their combustion, are pushed out of the combustion chamber through the exhaust valve. The gas distribution mechanism of the car and the fuel injection system are responsible for this.

Purpose of systems and mechanisms of an automobile engine

crank mechanism- causes the pistons to reciprocate, which entails the rotation of the crankshaft.

Fuel supply system- serves for metered injection of fuel into the car engine.

Gas distribution mechanism- Responsible for the timely intake and release of exhaust gases in the engine.

Ignition system- serves to supply an intermittent electric current signal through high-voltage armored wires to spark plugs, as a result of which a spark forms in the engine combustion chamber and the combustible mixture ignites.

Cooling system- protects the engine from overheating by means of mechanical (oncoming air flow) or static activation of forced airflow of the engine by an impeller located in close proximity to the radiator.

Lubrication system- provides oil supply through oil channels to moving and rubbing mechanisms in order to reduce their wear. The oil system includes an oil pan, a pump, fine and coarse filters, oil channels and oil valves.

Also, the car is equipped with a starting device, consisting of a battery, a starter, an ignition switch and other devices for monitoring, controlling and ensuring the life of the car.

To date internal combustion engine (ICE) or as it is also called "aspirated" - the main type of engine that is widely used in the automotive industry. What is DVS? This is a multifunctional thermal unit that, using chemical reactions and the laws of physics, converts the chemical energy of the fuel mixture into mechanical force (work).

Internal combustion engines are divided into:

1. Piston engine.
2. Rotary piston engine.
3. Gas turbine engine.

The piston internal combustion engine is the most popular among the above engines, it has won worldwide recognition and has been a leader in the auto industry for many years. I propose to consider the device in more detail ICE, as well as the principle of its work.

The advantages of a piston internal combustion engine include:

1. Universality (application on various vehicles).
2. High level of battery life.
3. Compact dimensions.
4. Acceptable price.
5. Ability to start quickly.
6. Light weight.
7. Ability to work with different types of fuel.

In addition to the "pluses", it has an internal combustion engine and a number of serious disadvantages, including:

1. High crankshaft speed.
2. Great noise level.
3. Too much toxicity in the exhaust gases.
4. Low efficiency (coefficient of performance).
5. A small service resource.

Internal combustion engines differ by type of fuel, they are:

1. Petrol.
2. Diesel.
3. As well as gas and alcohol.

The last two can be called alternative, because today they are not widely used.

Alcohol-based internal combustion engine running on hydrogen is the most promising and environmentally friendly, it does not emit harmful "CO2" into the atmosphere, which is contained in the exhaust gases of reciprocating internal combustion engines.

The piston internal combustion engine consists of the following subsystems:

1. Crank mechanism (KShM).
2. intake system.
3. Fuel system.
4. Lubrication system.
5. Ignition system (in gasoline engines).
6. Graduation system.
7. Cooling system.
8. Control system.

The engine housing consists of several parts, which include: a cylinder block, as well as a cylinder head (cylinder head). The task of the crankshaft is to convert the reciprocating movements of the piston into rotational movements of the crankshaft. The gas distribution mechanism is necessary for the internal combustion engine to ensure the timely intake of the fuel-air mixture into the cylinders and the same timely release of exhaust gases.

The intake system serves to timely supply air to the engine, which is necessary for the formation of a fuel-air mixture. The fuel system supplies fuel to the engine, in tandem these two systems work to form a fuel-air mixture, after which it is fed through the injection system into the combustion chamber.

The ignition of the fuel-air mixture occurs due to the ignition system (in gasoline ICEs), in diesel engines, ignition occurs due to compression of the mixture and glow plugs.

The lubrication system, as the name implies, is used to lubricate rubbing parts, thereby reducing their wear, increasing their service life and thereby removing the temperature from their surfaces. Cooling of heated surfaces and parts is provided by the cooling system, it removes the temperature with the help of coolant through its channels, which, passing through the radiator, is cooled and repeats the cycle. The exhaust system ensures the removal of exhaust gases from the ICE cylinders by means of which is part of this system, reduces the noise accompanied by the emission of gases and their toxicity.

The engine management system (in modern models, the electronic control unit (ECU) or on-board computer is responsible for this) is necessary for electronic control of all the above systems and ensuring their synchronization.

How does an internal combustion engine work?

The principle of operation of the internal combustion engine is based on the effect of thermal expansion of gases, which occurs during the combustion of the fuel-air mixture, due to which the piston moves in the cylinder. The working cycle of an internal combustion engine occurs in two revolutions of the crankshaft and consists of four cycles, hence the name - a four-stroke engine.

1. The first stroke is the inlet.
2. The second is compression.
3. The third is the workflow.
4. Fourth release.

During the first two strokes - intake and working stroke, it moves down, for the other two compression and exhaust - the piston goes up. The duty cycle of each of the cylinders is configured in such a way as not to coincide in phase, this is necessary in order to ensure the uniform operation of the internal combustion engine. There are other engines in the world, the duty cycle of which occurs in just two cycles - compression and power stroke, this engine is called a two-stroke.

On the intake stroke, the fuel system and the intake form a fuel-air mixture, which is formed in the intake manifold or directly in the combustion chamber (it all depends on the type of design). In the intake manifold in the case of central and distributed injection of gasoline internal combustion engines. In the combustion chamber in the case of direct injection in gasoline and diesel engines. The fuel-air mixture or air during the opening of the inlet timing valves is supplied to the combustion chamber due to the vacuum that occurs during the downward movement of the piston.

The intake valves close on the compression stroke, after which the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinders is compressed. During the "power stroke" stroke, the mixture ignites forcibly or spontaneously ignites. After ignition, a large pressure arises in the chamber, which is created by gases, this pressure acts on the piston, which has no choice but to start moving down. This movement of the piston, in close contact with the crank mechanism, drives the crankshaft, which in turn generates a torque that sets the wheels of the car in motion.

The "exhaust" stroke, after which the exhaust gases release the combustion chamber, and then the exhaust system, leaving cooled and partially cleaned into the atmosphere.

Short summary

After we have considered working principle of an internal combustion engine you can understand why the internal combustion engine has a low efficiency, which is about 40%. While a useful action is taking place in one cylinder, the rest of the cylinders, roughly speaking, are idle, providing the work of the first one with cycles: intake, compression, exhaust.

That's all for me, I hope you understand everything, after reading this article you can easily answer the question of what an internal combustion engine is and how an internal combustion engine works. Thank you for your attention!