The Vacuum Engine This Engine Is a Type of Figure-(41) Cooling Fan Flywheel External Combustion Engine When You Have (41) Dispose of the Alcohol Fuel

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Otona no Kagaku (Science for Adults) Product Version VACUUM ENGINE Vacuum Engine Instructions for Assembly and Operating Parts List Vacuum Engine

PARTS A PARTS A PARTS E E3 PARTS E A1: Cylinder E1: Wheels (4) A2: Flywheel A1 A2 A4 A5 E1 E1 E1 E1 E4 E2: Tires (4) A3: Crank unit (top) E3: Rear shaft A4: Crank unit (bottom) E4: Clutch wheel A5: Piston unit E5: O-ring A6: Valve rod A7: Cooling fan E2 E2 E2 E2 E5 A8: Valve A3 A9: Valve rod stopper A6 A8 A10: Fan belt A7

A10 PARTS F F2 F3 F4 PARTS F A9 F1: Clutch box F2: Clutch lever F3: Clutch guide F1 F5 F5 F4: Seat F5: Shaft stoppers (2) PARTS B PARTS B B1: Car body B1 B2 B3 PARTS G G3 PARTS G B2: Drive gear G4 G1: Fuel tank B3: Bearing guide G1 G2 attachment part A B4: Bearing (5) G2: Fuel tank attachment part B G3: Fuel tank (2) B4 G4: Wick

PARTS H H2 H2 H2 H2 PARTS H H1 H1: Stand H2: Car body holders (4) PARTS C PARTS C C2 C3 C4 H3: Non-slip pads (4) C1: Steering wheel C2: Steering gear C1 C3: Worm gear C5 C4: Steering-wheel holder H3 H3 H3 H3 C5: Universal joint TOOL&PARTS D2 1: Screw PARTS D PARTS D TOOL&PARTS 2: Screw (short) (1) D1: Upper arm 8 11 12 3: Screw (long) (3) D2: Tie-rod D1 4: Washer head screw (5) 1 2 3 6 5: Washer head tapping D3: King pins (2) D6 9 screw (3) D4: Springs (2) 6: Hex nut (2) D5: Center shafts (2) D3 D3 7 7: Nut (small) (1) D6: Worm gear cove D4 D4 10 D5 4 5 8: Sticker 9: Screwdriver (Phillips) D5 * Do not confuse the 4 washer head screw with 10: Pipet the 5 washer head tapping screw. They are different. 11: Wrench 12: Hex wrench * NOTE: The actual shapes of some parts may differ from the illustrations above. CAUTION: The kit may contain more screws, etc. than actually required, for use as spares.

2 3 Before Assembling the Kit

1. How to use the supplied tools How to use the Turn Phillips screwdriver ●Phillips screwdriver

The screwdriver is used for fastening screws, etc. CAUTION: Please read the following instructions before using this kit.

Use this kit only for its intended purpose. 2. How to use the hex wrench How to use the hex wrench Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Never touch the cylinder while the engine is running. There is a risk of burning. ●Hex wrench The cylinder will remain hot for a while after you have completed the experiment. Do not touch the cylinder. There is a risk of burning. When touching it, do so after making sure that it has cooled sufficiently. Take necessary caution when handling any metallic parts. There is a risk of injury. The hex wrench is used for There are small parts such as screws. Be careful not to swallow them. There is a risk of suffocation. Take caution not to pork your hands or eyes, with the supplied screwdriver and the like. There is a risk of injury. installing the flywheel. Do not operate the machine on the road. There is a risk of traffic accident. Turn

* Please read the assembly and operating instructions and cautions in this manual thoroughly before attempting to assemble this kit. In addition, do not use any parts that have become damaged or deformed during use. 3. How to use the wrench How to use the * Store the kit in a location out of the reach of small children. ● Wrench wrench

CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age or younger to conduct the experiment without adult The wrench is used for tightening supervision. nuts. Turn Plastic materials used in this kit • Drive gear, steering gear (black): POM Seat, steering wheel, clutch lever (brown): PS Screwdriver handle (orange): Polyethylene Small bags 4. Difference between the (transparent and colorless): Polyethylene washer head screw and Metallic materials used in this kit • the washer head tapping screw Difference between the washer head screw Car body, stand, and other body parts: Aluminum Shaft: Iron Valve: Brass Screws, etc.: Iron (nickel plated) and the washer head tapping screw * Please dispose of this product in accordance with local regulations. When turned, the washer head Washer head screw Washer head tapping screw for plastic cuts its own threads as it is driven into the material. Finer Coarser The washer head tapping screw has thread thread a coarser thread pitch than the pitch pitch washer head screw.

5. Small parts The kit contains many small parts. Be careful so as not to lose them. We recommend that you turn the stand over and use it as a tray for holding the small parts.

* In addition to the parts and tools supplied, have on hand alcohol fuel, a pair of scissors, a towel, tissues, and aluminum foil. Alcohol fuel can be purchased at drugstores. 4 5 Figure-(3) Install the assembled A1 (3) Install the cylinder in the crank unit. 1 Assembling the Engine cylinder in the A4 crank * The kit may contain more screws, etc. than unit (bottom). A1: Cylinder Parts to be used PARTS A actually required, for use as spares. At this point, fit the A6 valve rod into the groove View showing the A1: Cylinder A2 : Flywheel A3 Crank unit (top) A4 Crank unit (bottom) A5 : Piston A5: Piston piston unit unit on the A4 crank unit unit (bottom). connected to the crank unit (bottom) At the same time, insert the pin of the A4 crank unit (bottom) into the A5 piston unit. A6: Valve rod A6 : Valve rod A7 : Cooling fan A8 : Valve A9 : Valve rod A10 : Fan belt Screw (long) Finally, use the screws to stopper secure the A5 piston unit from the bottom side. Screws (6) Connecting the valve rod to the crank unit (bottom) A4: Crank unit Figure-(1) A1: Cylinder (bottom) Set the A6 valve rod in (1) Install the valve rod. A5: Piston unit the A1 cylinder, and Screw View showing the valve rod install the A9 valve rod Screw connected to the crank unit (bottom) stopper using a screw. Screw A9: Valve rod stopper

A6: Valve rod A6: Valve rod A4: Crank unit (bottom) Figure-(2) Insert the A5 piston unit into the A1 Figure-(4) cylinder. (If the A1 Insert the A8 valve into (4) Install the valve. cylinder or the A5 the space between the A1 cylinder and the A6 piston unit is Arm CAUTION valve. Lift the arm contaminated with A1: Cylinder At this point, slightly A8: Valve slightly when grease, use alcohol fuel lifting the arm part of inserting the to wipe it clean.) the A6 valve rod will make insertion easier. A6: Valve rod A8 valve.

Side view A1: Cylinder (2) Insert the piston unit into the cylinder. There is a very slight gap (approx. 0.1 mm) between the front face of the cylinder and the valve. A5: Piston unit A1: Cylinder

A8: Before assembly, use a Valve tissue impregnated with alcohol fuel to A1: Cylinder At this point, make wipe clean the inside sure that the piston of the cylinder and the unit can be turned piston unit. Arm smoothly by hand in the clockwise CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age or younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision. A6: Valve rod

6 7 Figure-(5) Using three screws, install (5) Install the crank unit. the A3 crank unit (top) onto 2 Installing the Drive Gear in the Car Body A3: Crank unit the crank unit (bottom) Circular (top) Screw platter * The kit may contain more screws, etc. than assembled in Figure-(4). Parts to be used PARTS B actually required, for use as spares. For this step, connect the A3 Screw Screw crank unit (top) to the pins B1: Car body B2: Drive gear B3: Bearing guide B4: Bearings (4) of the A4 crank unit as shown in the figure. (The A1: * Keep one as a spare. result is shown in the figure Cylinder below.) Washer head tapping Push up the Insert screw (1) Cross sectional diagram circular platter into the of the crank and of the connection area hole. then insert the Pin of the A4 crank pin. unit (bottom) Figure-(8) Crank Unit A6: Valve rod A4 (bottom) Place the B3 bearing (8) Install the bearing guide with bearings assembled in the drive gear. in Figure-(4) guide on the B2 drive A5: Piston unit gear and set all four B4 B4: Bearings bearings in the B3 B4: Bearings (6) Install the flywheel. bearing guide. The flywheel B3: Bearing guide A5: Piston unit installation screw is already embedded. Crank unit (bottom) A2: Flywheel Hex wrench Figure-(6) B2: Drive gear Using the hex wrench, turn A3: Crank unit (top) the flywheel installation screw and install the flywheel.

Place the tip of Figure-(9) the screw Use the washer head (9) Install the drive gear with bearings against this flat surface. tapping screw to onto the car body. Piston secure the drive gear CAUTION Be sure to use the screw Flywheel installation screw assembled in Figure-(8) with the coarser thread pitch. (already embedded) to the car body. Washer head tapping screw (7) Install the cooling fan. It is best if the piston During this step, be falls gently when the Figure-(7) crank unit is held in careful not to lose the Use the screw (long) to the orientation Screw (long) bearings. secure the A7 cooling fan to A10: Fan belt shown above. the A1 cylinder. Then, use the A10 fan belt to A7: connect the A7 cooling fan Cooling fan B1: Car body to the A2 flywheel.

The drive gear assembled Make sure that A8: Valve the A2 flywheel in Figure-(8) can be turned smoothly by A2: Flywheel hand in the clockwise direction CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid viewed from above. burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 1 years of age or A1: Cylinder younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision.

8 9 Figure-(12) 3 Installing the Steering Wheel in the Car Body Using the washer head (12) Install the steering gear. screw (with the finer * The kit may contain more screws, etc. C2: thread pitch), install Washer head screw Parts to be used PARTS C than actually required, for use as spares. Steering gear the C2 steering gear in (with the finer thread pitch) C1 : Steering wheel C2 : Steering gear C3 : Worm gear C4 : Steering-wheel Screw (1) the B1 car body. holder

C5: Washer head Universal joint screw (1)

Figure-(10) Insert the C4 (10) Install the steering-wheel holder. steering-wheel holder into the slits in the B1 C4: Steering-wheel holder B1: Car body car body, and secure it with the screw. * Insert the holder into the slits in the B1 car body. Screw 4 Assembling the Suspension

* The kit may contain more screws, etc. Parts to be used PARTS D than actually required, for use as spares. D1 : Upper arm D2 : Tie-rod D3 : King pins (2) Washer head Figure-(11) tapping screw Pass the C1 steering (1) wheel through the C4 B1: Car body steering-wheel holder. Next, set the C3 worm D4 : Springs (2) D5 : Center shafts (2) D6 : Worm gear cover Screws (2) Washer head screws gear in the B1 car body. (11) Install the steering wheel. (2) Lastly, use the C5 universal joint to link C3: Worm gear C1: Steering wheel the C1 steering wheel C5: Universal joint Figure-(13) to the C3 worm gear. Using the washer head (13) Assemble the tie-rod. screws, secure the D3 king pins to the D2 Washer head screw Cross-sectional diagram tie-rod in two (with the finer thread pitch) showing how the steering wheel is set locations. D2: Tie-rod C1: Steering wheel Washer head screw C5: Universal joint * Put the C3 worm gear through this area in the B1 (with the finer car body, and use the C5 thread pitch) universal joint to link it to C4: Steering-wheel holder the C1 steering wheel.

B1: Car body C4: Steering-wheel holder C3: Worm gear

CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age or D3: King pins younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision.

10 11 Figure-(14) Figure-(17) Using the washer head (14) Install the tie-rod in the car body. To secure the D3 king (17) Install the upper arm. Washer head tapping screw tapping screw, install pin, use the screws to Screw the tie-rod assembled * Be careful not to mistake the fasten the D1 upper CAUTION washer head screw for the in Figure-(13) in the C2 washer head tapping screw. arm in two locations. Screw D1: Upper arm Use the D6: steering gear. screw with Tie-rod assembled in At this point, also press Worm gear cover C3: the coarser Figure-(13) the D1 upper arm Worm gear thread down onto the D6 * Press the D1 upper pitch. arm down onto the worm gear cover. D6 worm gear cover.

C2: Steering gear

D3: King pin

Figure-(15) B1: Car body Insert the D5 center (15) Assemble the king pins. shaft through the D3 king pin all the way to 5 Assembling the Wheels D4: Spring the B1 car body. Then, * The kit may contain more screws, etc. than Parts to be used PARTS E actually required, for use as spares insert the D4 spring. D5: Center shaft D4: E1 : Wheels (4) E3 : Rear shaft サスペンションの断面 Spring

D5 D5: Center shaft Center shaft D3: King pin E4 : Clutch wheel E5 : O-ring E2 : Tires (4) D3 King pin Screws (long) (2) Hex nuts (2) D3: King pin B1: Car body Figure-(18) Install four E2 tires (18) Assemble the wheels and clutch wheels B1 Car body (16) Install the worm gear cover. onto four E1 wheels. Install the E5 O-ring onto the E4 clutch Figure-(16) D6: Worm gear cover E2 : Tire E5 : O-ring Install the D6 worm wheel. gear cover in the B1 car body.

E1 : Wheel E4 : Clutch wheel

B1: Car body CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age or younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision.

12 13 Figure-(19) Figure-(21) Using the screws (19) Install the front wheels onto the car body. Set the F2 clutch lever in (21) Install the clutch box and seat. (long), install the two the F1 clutch box, and use a wheels assembled in Wheel assembled in Figure-(18) screw to install them in the Screw F2: Clutch Figure-(18) onto the D3 Screw B1 car body. (long) lever king pins. Then, use a washer head tapping screw to install the F4: Seat Cross sectional diagram F4 seat as well. of the car body and wheel F1: B1: Car body Clutch Wheel box assembled in Figure-(18) D3: King pin D3: King pin

Wheel assembled in Figure-(18)

Steering gear Screw (long) B1: Car body Rotate the pin of the clutch lever so that it engages with Steering wheel the clutch box.

B1: Car body Make sure that turning Cross sectional diagram of the steering wheel also the car body and the clutch Screw (long) turns the front wheels. F2: Clutch F1: Clutch lever Figure-(20) abox Install the hex nut, a (22) Install the clutch guide. wheel, the E4 clutch (20) Assemble the rear wheels. Washer wheel, another wheel, and head screw (with a finer the hex nut, in that order thread E4: Clutch wheel B1: Car body onto the E3 rear shaft. Hex nut F3: Clutch guide pitch) E3: Rear shaft Wheel How to use the wrench assembled Figure-(22) in Figure-(18) From the bottom side of the Hex nut B1 car body, thread the F3 This side becomes clutch guide to the tip of the Wheel fixed. (When the F2 clutch lever. F2: Clutch assembled engine is started lever in Figure-(18) while the car is Then, use a washer head placed on the stand, screw (with the finer thread only this side turns.) Turn pitch) to install the clutch guide. (Be careful not to insert the screw in the wrong hole.) Cross sectional 6 Assembling the Clutch and Installing the Rear Wheels diagram of the set clutch * The kit may contain more screws, etc. F3: Clutch guide Parts to be used PARTS F than actually required, for use as spares. F1 : Clutch box F2 : Clutch lever F3 : Clutch guide F4 : Seat F5 : Shaft stoppers (2) B1: Car body

CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid Screws (3) Washer head screw (1) burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age or younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision.

14 15 Figure-(23) Figure-(25) Use the F5 shaft (23) Install the rear wheels onto the car body. Set the G3 fuel tank and (25) Assemble the fuel tank. stoppers and screws to Set the clutch the wick made in Aluminum foil Screw F5: Shaft stopper G4: Wick Nut (small) fasten the rear wheels wheel at the Figure-(24) in the G1 Use these values center of the as guidelines for assembled in Figure-(20) clutch guide. fuel tank attachment in two locations. Screw part A, and use the exposing the wick. 3mm Make adjustments CAUTION: The rear wheels F5: Shaft stopper screw (small) and the as needed. 5mm cannot be installed if their nut (small) to secure G2: Fuel tank left-right orientation is the G2 fuel tank wrong. attachment attachment part B. part B Fuel tank Wide Then, use the screw to Difference in the E3: Rear shaft assembled Screw (small) rear shaft thickness Rear install the fuel tank in in Figure-(24) front of the front Thick wheels. G1: Fuel tank Cross sectional diagram attachment part A of the set clutch Rear E4: Clutch wheel G3: Fuel tank F3: Clutch guide Front Thin B1: Car body Front B1: Car body Narrow

Screw 7 Installing the Fuel Tank 8 Installing the Engine * The kit may contain more screws, etc. Parts to be used PARTS G than actually required, for use as spares. Parts to be used (26) Install the engine. G1 : Fuel tank G2 : Fuel tank G3 : Fuel tank G4 Wick Screws (4) attachment part A attachment part B * The kit may contain more screws, etc. than actually * Keep Screw Screw Nut Engine assembled the extra (1) (small) (1) (small) (1) required, for use as spares. in Figure-(7) as a spare. Figure-(26) Using the four screws, Figure-(24) install the engine Cut the aluminum foil (24) Make the wick. into a sheet measuring 6 to 7 cm assembled in Figure-(7) 5 cm × 6 to 7 cm. in the B1 car body.

Wrap the cut 5cm Aluminum foil aluminum foil onto the 5cm Aluminum foil B1: Car body wick.

Screws How to cut the G4 wick Screws Cut the G4 wick Wrap it onto the G4 wick. to 6 cm. G4: Wick Finished wick CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 （cm） burning yourself or starting a fire. Do not allow children 15 years of age * Keep the remainder as a spare. Expose about 3 mm at the tip. or younger to conduct the experiment without adult supervision.

16 17 9 Assembling the Stand 10 Experiment on Starting the Engine

* The kit may contain more screws, etc. Figure-(29) Parts to be used PARTS H than actually required, for use as spares. Make sure that the flywheel (29) Check the rotation of the flywheel. H1 : Stand H2 : Car body holders (4) H3 : Non-slip pads (4)） can be turned smoothly by hand in the clockwise Screws (4) direction viewed from above. If it resists turning, check the A2: Flywheel assembly again. Figure-(27) It is normal for the flywheel Using the screws, install (27) Install the car body holders in the stand. to resist turning when turned the H2 car body holders in the opposite direction (in onto the H1 stand, being H2: Car body holder Screw H2: Car body holder the counter-clockwise careful about the * Pay attention * Pay attention to direction viewed from above). the orientation. correct orientation. to the orientation. Screw Then, attach the H3 Screw non-slip pads to the Screw four locations on the H3: Non-slip pad bottom of the H1 stand. H3: Non-slip pad Peel off the protective film from the The A2 flywheel is embossed * Turns in the clockwise direction. double-sided stickers with an arrow indicating the and attach the pads correct turning direction. H3: Non-slip H1: Stand H3: Non-slip pad Protective (30) How to inject alcohol fuel. pad Figure-(30) film of the H3: Non-slip pad Inject the alcohol fuel into double-sid the fuel tank. (The amount ed sticker that can be drawn up into the Pipet (28) Set the car body on the stand to complete. supplied pipet is about right.) Be careful not to spill any Appropriate Fill to this line alcohol fuel when injecting it amount into the fuel tank. Should a spill occur, use a tissue and the like to wipe it up completely. Then, wet the tissue with water before discarding it. * Alcohol fuel can be purchased at drugstores and the like. Push the pad into Wider gap Since this experiment involves the cutout area. for the rear the use of a flame, have a wet towel, etc. readily available for Figure-(28) emergency use. Set the assembled car Wet towel body on the stand. Fuel tank Apply the sticker to the desired location. Narrower gap Sticker CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care for the front to avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. Have a wet towel, etc. readily available for emergency use.

18 19 Figure-(31) Make sure that the gear (31) Make sure that the gear lever is 11 If the Engine Stalls during Starting... lever is in the neutral in the neutral position. position. (The gear lever is Neutral Figure-(34) nearly vertical when in the Forward Backward If the cylinder or piston (34) Try starting the engine four or five times. neutral position.) is cold, such as when the Cause of engine stall If the gear lever is not in the engine is to be started neutral position, that is, if Gear lever When a high-temperature flame strikes a cold piston, the heat for the first time on a causes the diameter of the piston to increase slightly. As a result, the gear is engaged, it will be Rear given day, the engine the friction between the piston and the cylinder increases, leading difficult to start the engine. Front may stall immediately to engine stall. Figure-(32) after starting. In such a The piston Light the wick and start the case, put out the flame, expands. engine by manually turning (32) Light the wick and start the engine wait for several tens of the flywheel in the clockwise seconds, and then retry. direction viewed from above. by manually turning the flywheel. Immediately after the Since this experiment engine stalls for the first involves the use of a flame, have a wet towel, etc. readily * Start the engine by turning time, it will not be The friction increases. available for emergency use. the flywheel in the possible to turn the Corrective measure clockwise direction. flywheel easily Wait for several tens of seconds after putting out the flame. The heat has a chance to reach the cylinder, narrowing the Wet towel by hand. difference in temperature between the cylinder and the piston. Then, the flywheel will turn smoothly again. By repeating this procedure four or five times, the difference in temperature between the piston and the cylinder will come to be even, decreasing the amount friction, with the Figure-(33) result that you should be able to When the rotational speed has tart the engine. increased, move the gear lever forward or backward and check the rotational direction (33) Experiment to turn the left rear wheel. Figure-(35) of the left rear wheel. Put out the flame and let You can shift the gear between Gear lever the engine cool forward and backward, and sufficiently. After making also see continuous changes in sure that the engine is no the rotational speed. (35) If the engine does not start after four longer hot, remove the CAUTION: The experiment for engine part from the car or five tries, remove the engine and rotating the rear wheel must be body. Return to check each part thoroughly. done while the car is mounted Figure-(6) on page 8, and on the stand. While the It is best if the Only the left rear wheel will turn. check whether the piston experiment is underway, do not The other wheels will not turn. piston falls gently falls gently from the when the engine is remove the car from the stand held in the crank unit. If not, remove or turn the car upside down. The rotational direction of the wheel when the gear lever is orientation shown Doing so will cause the alcohol moved forward or backward. crank unit A3 (top), in the figure. Neutral fuel to spill, resulting in a fire Neutral return to Figure-(4) on Backward Forward hazard. Gear page 7, and then check Furthermore, if the overall lever whether the crank unit Make sure that the flywheel can be color of the flame becomes (bottom) moves smoothly. orange, this indicates that the turned smoothly by hand in the Rear If not, check the engine clockwise direction viewed from alcohol fuel is running out and Front above, as shown in the figure. the cotton wick is beginning to burn. Immediately put out the flame, or the wick will burn up. * When you turn the flywheel to start the engine, you may hear the sound of air escaping from the cylinder hole. If the engine does not start, put out the flame and allow the cylinder to cool. After making sure that the cylinder is no longer hot, flex the arm of valve rod A6 very slightly to increase the distance between the valve and the hole by CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to just a little bit. (Increase the distance enough to produce a barely noticeable gap. Note that if the gap is too big, avoid burning yourself or starting a fire. air will leak.) If the sound is not heard anymore, then the engine is ready and should start easily.

20 21 12 To Increase the Rotational Speed... 13 If the Engine Output Drops...

Figure-(36) Figure-(39) To increase the rotational (36) To increase the rotational speed, adjust When the engine is (39) Clean the piston and the cylinder. speed, you need to adjust the positions of the flame and the valve. used continuously, its Cause of drop in output the positional relationship output may suddenly Valve A2: Flywheel Soot produced when the flame is sucked into the cylinder can between the flame and the drop in some cases. If accumulate inside, increasing the friction between the cylinder valve. this happens, clean the and the piston. This will result in a drop in engine output. (Be extremely careful not piston and cylinder. Cylinder to burn yourself.) CAUTION: Be sure to put out the flame and wait for the engine to cool down before cleaning. Piston

Figure-(37) Hold the rear portion of the Cleaning method (37) Adjust the position of the flame. 1. Referring to Figure-(26) on page 17, remove the engine from metallic part of the fuel tank the car body. between your fingers as Fuel tank 2. Retracing the steps in Figure-(7) on page 8, Figure-(6) on page shown in the figure. (The rear 8, Figure-(5) on page 8, Figure-(4) on page 7, and Figure-(3) on portion of the metallic part of page 7, return the cylinder and the piston to the state shown in Figure-(2) on page 6. the fuel tank does not usually 3. Thoroughly clean the soot off the piston, as well as both the get hot.) front face and interior of the cylinder, with a tissue Start with the flame impregnated with alcohol fuel. positioned away from the Cleaning supplies Clean the valve, and then gradually Be careful surface. move the flame closer to the not to burn yourself. valve. Alcohol fuel While checking whether the Hold the rear portion of rotational speed increases or the metallic part of the fuel decreases, find the position tank between your fingers and that causes the engine to adjust the position of the flame. If it is difficult to move the fuel tank, use a Clean the interior. reach its top speed (the flame screwdriver to slightly loosen the screw. should not be too close or too Thoroughly clean the soot off the far). piston, as well as both the front face (38) Best flame position and interior of the cylinder, with a tissue impregnated with alcohol fuel. Figure-(38) Cylinder If you can see the flame being sucked into the Figure-(40) (40) Cleaning only the front face of the cylinder cylinder as shown in the Use a cotton swab to Cotton swab A8: Valve figure, the flame position clean off any soot is perfect. accumulating on the surface where the A1 cylinder and the A8 valve make contact.

CAUTION: Be sure to put out the flame and wait for CAUTION: Fire is used in the experiment. Exercise extreme care to avoid burning yourself the engine to cool down or starting a fire. During the experiment, do not turn the car body upside down or make it before cleaning. A1: Cylinder stand on its end. Doing so will cause the alcohol fuel to spill, creating a fire hazard.

22 23 14 When You Have Finished the Experiment Principles of the Vacuum Engine This engine is a type of Figure-(41) Cooling fan Flywheel external combustion engine When you have (41) Dispose of the alcohol fuel. that has an external heat Cylinder finished the source. When heated air experiment, always be Valve sucked into the cylinder is sure to remove the cooled inside it, a near alcohol fuel. Fuel tank vacuum state is created, Crank Tilt the car body, unit which in turn moves the allowing the alcohol piston. Furthermore, the fuel to flow out of the opening/closing of the valve Piston fuel tank and soak into is synchronized with the Valve rod the tissue. Then, piston by a crank mechanism. Additionally, the flywheel helps maintain stable rotation.

(1) The valve opens. As the (1) piston moves toward the crank unit, heated air is sucked into the cylinder.

Be sure to wet the tissue impregnated (2) When the piston moves (2) with alcohol fuel with all the way toward the water before discarding crank unit (this point is called the bottom dead center), the valve closes Cautions about the flame and heat and cooling of the air inside the cylinder begins. ・Do not leave the engine unattended while it is still hot or the flame is lit. ・While the flame is lit, do not lift the car or its stand. Doing so may cause the alcohol fuel to spill, creating a fire hazard. (3) The cooled air (3) ・When running the engine of the car while mounted on the stand, do not place the stand on contracts, creating a near a slippery surface. vacuum state. As a result, There is a possibility that the car and its stand move. the piston is pulled toward ・While running the experiment, pay close attention to small children. the valve. ・After you have finished the experiment, be careful about residual heat. ・After you have finished the experiment, remove the alcohol fuel from the fuel tank. (Let the alcohol fuel soak into the tissue. Then, wet the tissue with water before discarding it.) (4) When the piston moves ・After you have finished the experiment, use caution when storing the alcohol fuel. all the way toward the (4) Store the alcohol fuel in a location out of the reach of small children. (Same for the product.) valve (this point is called the top dead center), the valve opens. The contracted air inside the cylinder is expelled and at the same time the engine 24 25 CAUTION! (Be sure to read this section.)

● When installing seat F4 in Figure-(21) on page 15, use the screw (tapping screw without Q: When I run the experiment with the car mounted on the stand, only one of the rear wheels turns. A: The car in the kit is designed to transmit the rotational power of the engine to only one of the rear wheels. If washer ) included in the same bag as the seat. both wheels were fixed, the difference between the turning radii of the inner and outer wheels during cornering would place a large strain on the drivetrain. In an actual car, a mechanism called a “differential gear” ● If the engine does not start: is used to take up the difference in the rotational speeds of the right and left wheels. In the kit, the load increase that would be caused by a difference in the rotational speeds is avoided by keeping one of the 1. Refer to page 21 and try starting the engine four or five times. When doing so, refer to page wheels free. Therefore, when the car is mounted on the stand, only one of the rear wheels turns. 22 and turn the flywheel while adjusting the position of the flame relative to the valve (be Q: Where can I obtain alcohol fuel? careful not to burn yourself). A: Ask for alcohol fuel at a drugstore. Q: I spilled the fuel. A: Wipe it up with tissue paper or the like. Then, wet the tissue with water before discarding it. If you are planning 2. Make sure the gear lever is in the neutral position. If the gear is engaged, the resulting load to continue with the experiment, make sure any spilled alcohol has dried completely before lighting a flame. may prevent the engine from starting. Q: The rotation is slow. A: Either the position of the flame is not the most appropriate, or the movements of the piston or gear may be too slow. Read pages 22 to 23 of this manual. 3. Remove the A10 fan belt, which connects the A2 flywheel to the A7 cooling fan. If the A10 Q: I cannot run the engine continuously. fan belt is connected, the resulting load may prevent the engine from starting. Once the engine A: The flame may be extinguished in some cases by the exhaust coming out of the hole on the front of the output stabilizes, reconnect the A10 fan belt. cylinder. In such a case, move the flame slightly away from the valve. Q: The engine ran fine the first time, but it would not start again when I tried to start it a second time immediately afterwards. 4. Slightly loosen the washer head tapping screw installed in Figure-(9) on page 9. This will A: If there is dew condensation on the piston or inside the cylinder, it may be difficult to start the engine. Let the remove the load and may help the engine start easily. engine sit for a while and then try again. Q: The wick is getting shorter. A: The wick is 100% cotton, so when the alcohol fuel burns up, the wick starts burning. Be sure to always put out 5. Remove the engine only, and slightly loosen the two screws installed in Figure-(3) on page the flame before the alcohol fuel runs out. Just before the alcohol runs out, the flame will become completely 7, as well as the three screws installed in Figure-(5) on page 8 (remove the flywheel). This will orange and there will be a lot of soot. position the piston in the A5 piston unit parallel to the A4 crank unit (bottom) and may help the Q: Can I oil the piston and cylinder? A: No. Do not oil the piston or cylinder because a special treatment has been applied to them. engine start more easily.

● The standard rotational speed is around two revolutions per second. To increase the rotational speed, see pages 22 to 23.

● Once the engine has started, put out the flame after about 2 minutes. If the engine overheats, its output will drop. If the engine output drops, cool the cylinder first and then restart the engine.

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