The core of the engine is the cylinder, with the piston moving up and down inside the cylinder. Most cars have more than one cylinder (four, six and eight cylinders are common). In a multi-cylinder engine, the cylinders usually are arranged in one of three ways: inline, V or flat (also known as horizontally opposed or boxer), as shown in the following figures.

Figure 2. Inline - The cylinders are arranged in a line in a single bank.

Figure 3. V - The cylinders are arranged in two banks set at an angle to one another.

Figure 4. Flat - The cylinders are arranged in two banks on opposite sides of the engine.

Different configurations have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of smoothness, manufacturing cost and shape characteristics. These advantages and disadvantages make them more suitable for certain vehicles.

【中文注解】

发动机的核心是气缸，活塞在气缸内上下运动。大多数汽车的发动机都有一个以上的气缸（如四缸、六缸或八缸）。对于多缸发动机，它的百列方式有以下三种：直列式、V型、水平放置的，相关见上图。

气缸不同的配置方式在平稳程度、制造成本与外型特征上都拥有不同的优势与劣式。这些优势与劣式都适合于不同的车型。

【延伸阅读】

* 汽车的心脏——发动机

* 发动机原理及详解之一

* 发动机原理及详解之二

* 发动机原理及详解之四
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