MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.

1051/matecconf/201824403004
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Engine with unconventional crank mechanism

FIK1
Pavol Kukuča1, Dalibor Barta1,*1, Robert Labuda1, Tsvetomir Gechev2
1University of Zilina, Department of Transport and Handling Machines, Faculty of Mechanical
Engineering, Univerzitná 1, 010 26 Zilina, Slovakia
2Technical University – Sofia, Faculty of Transport, 8 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., Block 9, 1000 Sofia,

Bulgaria

Abstract: The geometry and kinematics of unconventional engine mechanism FIK1

are described in the paper. Transformation of the piston linear movement to rotational
movement is done by a swinging board, a baseboard and a crankshaft. The paper
describes the trajectory and acceleration of an observed point on the swinging board in
all three planes as well as the kinematics of the piston movement. The principle of the
unconventional mechanism FIK1 is protected by patents No. 283742 and No. 283743.
A mathematical model of the mechanism and some significant results are presented.
Keywords: Combustion engine, unconventional crank mechanism, kinematics,
swinging board

1 Introduction
The effort to reduce the production costs of individual vehicle parts and to ensure their
dimensional compactness while increasing reliability leads to the development of new
structures and mechanisms. With the development and improvement of material and fuel
technologies new and uncommon engines can also find application [1-4]. Some of these
unconventional engines use an alternative construction of their mechanical parts and
mechanisms to acquire certain advantages in comparison to the conventional solutions. A
typical example is the axial engine for Stirling [5, 6] or IC application, which has a low frontal
area, very good balance and great compactness [7-10]. Another unconventional type of
engine mechanism which kinematics was solved by Shih [11] is the cycloidal internal
combustion engine mechanism.
One of the mechanisms, applicable in such engines is the FIK1, whose geometry and
kinematics are described in this paper.
The base of the engine with unconventional mechanism is the swinging board DK,
supported on the crank pin and rolling by its perimeter around the immovable base board DP
(see Fig. 1, left) [12]. Both boards have an angle gearing at their perimeter (resp. at the
optional suitable diameter) for exact and safe mutual rolling. The position of the gearing on

*
Corresponding author: dalibor.barta@fstroj.uniza.sk
Reviewers: Pawel Drozdziel, Saugirdas Pukalskas

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
ITEP’18

the base and swinging board may not be in praxis situated on their perimeters [13]. Because
the swinging discs´ movement presents a relative consecutive rolling of two cones (see Fig.
1 right, there is shown the trajectory of a point on the swinging board perimeter, acquired
from the virtual model), the gear can be positioned practically on the whole cone length from
the bottom to the top.
The relative angle between both boards is φ (see Fig. 1, left). From the kinematics point
of view this is the angle between the bottoms of the rolling boards. The top angle of the
meshing cones does not need to be generally the same. In case of the identical cones their top
angle value is (180° - φ).

Dk φ
FIK1 ©
Dp

Fig. 1. Scheme of the unconventional engine mechanism

2 Description of the mechanism geometry

Based on the previous considerations, the center of the swinging board makes planar motion
along a circle which is parallel to the plane of the immovable base board. Because each point
on the swinging board makes a space movement, it is necessary to define and solve this
system spatially (in three axes). We choose the coordinate system so that its vertical axis Z
goes through the axis of the crank shaft and its center lies on the horizontal plane XY (see
Fig. 2). The initial crank position for the rotation angle α =0º lies on the axis Y. The observed
point on the swinging board lies at the connecting line of the board center and its perimeter,
it means opposite to the crank. The circle radius rkľ, which describes the center of the
swinging board (hereinafter referred as “crank circle”), is given by the following expression:

rkľ = R ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) , (1)

where R – radius of the swinging (generating), resp. immovable base board,

φ - angle between boards which is equal to the crank angle (see Fig. 2).

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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ω Crank path
Z
(trajectory)

𝑟𝑟�� � φ Crank
� �� �� � ����� Dk

Contact point of
the wheels
R rkľ φ

Rko X
zkľ R
α

Dp Position of the observed

Y point (connecting rod joint)
Dp – base board (immovable) Projection of the connecting for the general rotation
Dk – swinging board rod joint point for α = 0 angle α of the crank

Fig. 2. Geometrical scheme of the unconventional mechanism FIK1

Distance between the planes of the crank circle and the immovable base board is given
by expression
z kľ = R ⋅ sin φ . (2)

By those assumptions each point of the swinging board, which lies outside of its center
makes a general movement in three axes. In order to describe the kinematics of the piston
movement, it is first necessary to describe the kinematics of a random point on the swinging
board which lies on the radius Rko (see Fig. 2), in the interval Rko ∈ ‹ 0, R ›. Further, it will
be considered the possibility of changing the angle φ between both boards, which can
theoretically be in the range φ ∈ ‹ 0, 90° ›. Given the requirement, it is clear, that when the
angle φ = 0 the swinging board makes no movement and when the angle φ is close to the 90○,
then the engine design overall is unrealistic. Practically it is impossible to use higher angle
values than 50°.
In relation to the piston movement it is most important to define mainly the vertical path
of the random point on the swinging board (in direction of Z axis). This path, depending on
the path of the point in the plane XY and on the connecting rod length, determines the value
of the piston stroke which is in the direction of Z axis. According to the presented above, the
path of the observed point on the swinging board in each axis depends on:
- radius R of the swinging, resp. base board,
- angle φ, between the planes of both boards,
- radius Rko, where the observed point is located,
- rotation angle α of the crank as an independent variable.

3 Trajectory estimation of observed point on the swinging board

The path of the observed point is based upon a specific case when the angle value between
both boards φ = 90○, the point lies on the perimeter of the swinging board i.e. Rko= R, and the

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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crank shaft has the same crank angle φ = 90°. In such conditions the observed point performs
a movement, whose projections to the individual axes (resp. planes) could be determined
more simply, because the center of the swinging board is moving around the circle with a
radius rkľ = R. Its coordinates in four basic crank positions can be defined directly from the
geometry of the physical model (Table 1).

Table 1. Position of the observed point

φ (◦) α (◦) x y z
0 0 R 0
90 -R R R
90 180 0 -R 2R
270 R R R
360 0 R 0

With so defined parameters the swinging board is situated permanently in the vertical
plane and its perimeter is rolling around the perimeter of the immovable base board (see Fig.
3). At the same time the center of the swinging board describes a circle with radius rkľ = R in
the horizontal plane (XY) at the height zkľ = R. The crank is rotating around its axis with an
angle α by an angular velocity ω.

Z
Dp Dk

R sin α cos α

ω
R sin α Z X
R
R cos α
R cos α

Dk
zkľ

α
y

R
α Dp
z

x
R sin2 α

R sin α
α
Y

Fig. 3. System scheme for the angle φ = 90○

The position of the observed point at each random crank angle α can be determined from
the geometric relationships with the following expressions (see Fig. 3):

x = R ⋅ sin α ⋅ (cos α − 1 ) , (3)

(
y = R ⋅ cos α + sin 2
α ), (4)

z = R ⋅ (1 − cos α ) . (5)

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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If we want to observe movement of the point at an optional radius of the swinging board
in the range of Rko ∈ ‹ 0, R›, based on the similar consideration, by transforming (3), (4) and
(5) we get expressions (6), (7) and (8):

x = sin α ⋅ (R ko ⋅ cos α − R ) , (6)

y = R ⋅ cos α + R ko ⋅ sin 2 α , (7)

z = R − R ko ⋅ cos α . (8)

In the next step, it is necessary to define the path of the observed point at the swinging
board’s perimeter (Rko= R), provided that the angle φ between swinging and base board is
random, but not 90°. Similar as in the previous case it is possible to simply define its location
at four base locations of the crank from the physical model geometry. Values are presented
in the Table 2.
Table 2. Position of the observed point

φ (◦) α (◦) x y z
0 0 R 0
90 - rkľ R R sin φ
≠90 180 0 R - 2 rkľ 2R sin φ
270 rkľ R R sin φ
360 0 R 0

Even in this case, the swinging board, inclined under an angle φ, is rolling with its
perimeter around the perimeter of the base board. The path of the observed point in the
relation to the angle of the crank rotation α in each axis is affected by the inclination of the
swinging board. Based on this, the path of the observed point in each axis is described by the
following equations:

x = R ⋅ sin α ⋅ (cos α − 1) ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) , (9)

( )
y = R ⋅ cos α + sin 2 α ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) + R ⋅ cos φ , (10)

z = R ⋅ (1 − cos α ) ⋅ sin φ . (11)

In the most general case, when the angle between the two boards φ is in the range
φ ∈ ‹ 0, 90○ › and the general point position on the swinging board DK is in the range
Rko ∈ ‹ 0, R › the expressions (9), (10) and (11) are presented in their universal form:

x = sin α ⋅ (R ko ⋅ cos α − R ) ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) , (12)

( )
y = R ⋅ cos α + R ko ⋅ sin 2 α ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) + R ko ⋅ cos φ , (13)

z = (R − R ko ⋅ cos α ) ⋅ sin φ . (14)

The following images show the visual interpretation of the solution of equations (12),
(13) and (14) for one crank revolution and for the parameters of the physical model R = 0,1m,

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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Rko = 0, 072m and φ = 30○. Graphical interpretation is done for each axis and in relation to
the rotation angle of the crank α as well as in each of the three planes.

Fig. 4 shows the path of the observed point in the horizontal plane (XY). For better
presentation the graph displays the half of the base board. Fig. 5 presents the path of the point
in the vertical plane (XZ) and Fig. 6 – the point path in the vertical plane (YZ), whereas the
axis of the engine cylinder is visible in the figure. The path of the observed point in all of the
three axes in relation to the angle of the crank rotation α for one revolution is shown on the
Fig. 7. The single curves indicate that the movement in the axes X and Y is inharmonic and
movement in the axis Z is harmonic.

Plane XY
0,1

0,08
y (m)

0,06

0,04

0,02

0
-0,1 -0,05 0 0,05 0,1
x (m)

Fig. 4. Path of the observed point in the plane XY (shape of the immovable board is dashed)

Plane XZ
0,1
z (m)

0,08
0,06
0,04
0,02
0
-0,1 -0,05 0 0,05 0,1
x (m)

Fig. 5. Path of the observed point in the plane XZ

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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Plane YZ

0,1
z (m) 0,08
0,06
0,04
0,02
0
0 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,1
y (m)

Fig. 6. Path of the observed point in the plane YZ (cylinder axis is dot-dashed)

0,1
x, y, z (m)

0,08

0,06

0,04

0,02

-0,02
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
x yfi30 zfi30 α (°)

Fig. 7. Path of the observed point in relation to the angle of the crank rotation α

4 Velocity estimation of observed point

The velocity graphs of the observed point in each axis are obtained as a time derivative
from the equations (12), (13) and (14). The following expressions represent them:

dx dx dα
cx = = ⋅
dt dα dt
[ (
= ω ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) ⋅ R ko ⋅ 1 − 2 ⋅ sin 2 α − R ⋅ cos φ , ) ] (15)

dy dy dα
cy = = ⋅ = ω ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) ⋅ (2 ⋅ R ko ⋅ sin α ⋅ cos α − R ⋅ sin α ) , (16)
dt d α dt
dz dz d α
cz = = ⋅ = ω ⋅ R ko ⋅ sin α ⋅ sin φ . (17)
dt d α dt

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MATEC Web of Conferences 244, 03004 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201824403004
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Calculated velocities of the observed point on the swinging board in each of the three
axes with crank revolutions n = 4000 min-1 are shown in the graph (Fig. 8). From the periodic
and harmonic point of view, velocities have similar properties to paths.

20
cx, cy, cz (m.s-

15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
cx cy cz α (°)

Fig. 8. Velocity of the observed point in relation to the angle of the crank rotation α

From the engine piston kinematics point of view, the dominant velocity is in the Z
direction. Its maximal value is in the direction of cylinder axis and is about 4 m.s-1 higher, in
comparison to the maximal velocity of the crank joint of a classical engine with comparable
piston stroke. When calculating this velocity to the velocity of the piston, it must be taken
into account, that the kinematics of the piston movement is affected by the wave movement
of the connecting rod. Having a classic crank mechanism, the connecting rod makes the
planar wave movement in the range equal to the piston stroke. In the case of engine with the
swinging board, the connecting rod performs a spatial movement in significantly smaller
range, in this case approximately only 40% of the piston stroke (see Fig. 4 and 6).

5 Acceleration of observed point

The acceleration graph of the observed point in each axis is obtained as the second derivative
of equations (12), (13) and (14) with respect to time. After derivation and appropriate
modification, the acceleration in axes X, Y, Z is:
2
d 2 x d 2 x  dα 
 = ω ⋅ (1 − cos φ ) ⋅ (R ⋅ sin α − 4 ⋅ R ko ⋅ sin α ⋅ cos α ) , (18)
2
ax = 2 = ⋅
2 
dt dα  dt 
2
d 2 y d 2 y  dα 
ay = = ⋅
2 
2 2
[ (
 = ω ⋅ (1 − cosφ ) ⋅ 2 ⋅ Rko ⋅ 1 − 2 ⋅ sin α − R ⋅ cosα , (19) ) ]
dt 2
dα   dt
2
d 2z d 2z  dα 
 = ω ⋅ Rko ⋅ cosα ⋅ sin φ ,
2
az = = ⋅ (20)
dt 2 dα 2  dt 

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Calculated accelerations of the observed point on the swinging board in each of the three
axes with crank revolutions n = 4000 min-1 are shown in the graph (Fig. 9). From the periodic
and harmonic point of view, accelerations have similar properties to paths or velocities.
ax, ay, az (m.s-2)

8000
6000
4000
2000
0
-2000
-4000
-6000
-8000
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
ax ay az α (°)

Fig. 9. Acceleration of the observed point in relation to the angle of the crank rotation α

In this case the dominant acceleration is in the Z direction as well. Its maximal value is
in the direction of cylinder axis and is about 90 m.s-2 higher, in comparison to the maximal
acceleration of the crank joint of a classical engine with comparable piston stroke.
Percentagewise it is about 1,5% higher.

6 Conclusion
Based on the analytical result, that kinematics properties of the unconventional crank
mechanism of the FIK1 engine are comparable to the kinematics properties of the classical
piston combustion engine with the same value of the piston stroke. It is possible to influence
piston kinematics parameters by adjusting the distance of the cylinder axis from the axis of
the crankshaft. A specific disadvantage of this mechanism is that the connecting rod performs
a space movement, in contrast to the classical crank mechanism. That demands better design
solution of its connection with the swinging board and piston.

This paper was realized as a part of the project KEGA 022ŽU-4/2017 – “Implementation of on-line
education in the area of precise technologies with an impact on educational process to increase skills
and flexibility of students of engineering fields of study” and as a result of the project implementation:
“Modern methods of teaching of control and diagnostic systems of engine vehicles”, ITMS code
26110230107, supported by the Operational Programme Education.

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