Crank train concept design and balancing of an internal-combustion engine for range extending of an electric vehicle

This paper presents the motivation for a range extender engine development because in comparison to power train of an electric vehicle equipped only by high-voltage battery, cost and mass saves should be reached depending on required vehicle range. The engine concept is supposed to be based on the cylinder unit of the standard ŠKODA AUTO three-cylinder engine. In order to meet power requirements and demands on costs and simplicity, the in-line two-cylinder layout is chosen for range extender. Six variants of the crank train layout are designed and compared considering mainly their balancing and vibration.