Patent ID: 8468995

Claim:
An engine comprising: a block a crankshaft rotatably supported by the block; a balancer assembly attached to the block and configured for balancing vibrations of the engine, the balancer assembly including: a housing; a first balance shaft rotatably supported by the housing for rotation about a first longitudinal axis and coupled to and driven by the crankshaft, the first balance shaft having a drive gear; and a second balance shaft rotatably supported by the housing for rotation about a second longitudinal axis and having a driven gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear; wherein the first balance shaft includes a first counterweight portion and a second counterweight portion axially spaced from the first counterweight portion along the first longitudinal axis, and the second balance shaft includes a central counterweight disposed axially between the first counterweight portion and the second counterweight portion relative to the first longitudinal axis; and wherein the first counterweight portion and the second counterweight portion each define a first radius extending radially outward from the first longitudinal axis and the central counterweight defines a second radius extending radially outward from the second longitudinal axis, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius.