Cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine of an automobile

Abstract

The invention relates to a cylinder head gasket (1) for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head gasket (1) comprising a base (11) having a plurality of openings (13) intended to be aligned with combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine and at least one indexing stop (12) extending from the base (11). Each at least one indexing stop (12) is formed from the same material as the base (11) and allows for a unique assembly configuration of the cylinder head gasket (1) on a cylinder block of the internal combustion engine. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cylinder head gasket for a motor vehicle thermal engine

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of the components of a thermal engine for a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a cylinder head gasket for a thermal engine.

[0002] In the state of the art, thermal engines are known comprising a cylinder block and a cylinder head fixed integrally to the cylinder block. In a known manner, in order to ensure a perfect seal between the cylinder block and the cylinder head, the thermal engine comprises a cylinder head gasket which takes the form of a flat gasket inserted between the cylinder block and the cylinder head.

[0003] In order to ensure good positioning of the cylinder head with respect to the cylinder block, the use of alignment pins is known which collaborate simultaneously with the cylinder block and the cylinder head in order to define a single assembly configuration.

[0004] As is known, thermal engines are difficult to assemble. Indeed, the assembly and alignment of the cylinder head gasket during assembly of the cylinder head on the cylinder block is not easy to maintain. A known disadvantage then lies in poor alignment originating from the assembly process itself and leading to sealing defects which ultimately lead to failures of the thermal engine.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a new cylinder head gasket in order to address at least a large part of the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the operations of mounting a thermal engine incorporating such a cylinder head gasket.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to improve the retention of the cylinder head gasket on the thermal engine.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to reduce the assembly time of an engine block and to simplify the assembly operations.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a cylinder head gasket for a heat engine, the cylinder head gasket being intended to be placed between a cylinder block and a cylinder head of the heat engine, the cylinder head gasket forming a base comprising a plurality of openings intended to be aligned with combustion chambers of the heat engine, the cylinder head gasket comprising at least one indexing stop which projects from the base.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the base forms the flat seal forming the cylinder head gasket. This is a thin membrane forming the seal. The base preferably extends flat and with a constant thickness.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the openings are provided in the base itself, so as to encircle the combustion chambers of the cylinder block and ensure their sealing. One of the objects of the invention is precisely to guarantee optimal placement of these openings around the associated combustion chambers in order to provide maximum and optimal sealing. The dimensions and shapes of the openings can be arbitrary. However, they are generally circular in shape.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, the at least one indexing stop takes the form of a protrusion which extends from the base and projects from the base. Each at least one indexing stop is intended to collaborate with a centering pin of the heat engine, thus making it possible to facilitate and optimize the positioning of the cylinder head gasket on the cylinder block.

[0013] Thus, the cylinder head gasket according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to facilitate the operations of assembling a heat engine incorporating it by making it possible to maintain the cylinder head gasket on the cylinder block during the assembly operations, such maintenance makes it possible to prevent the cylinder head gasket from slipping during the operations of tightening the cylinder head on the cylinder block, which would have led to a misalignment of said cylinder head gasket. Consequently, such a cylinder head gasket makes it possible to improve the repeatability of the assembly operations, it also makes it possible to reduce the assembly time of an engine block and to simplify the assembly operations.

[0014] The cylinder head gasket according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - the at least one indexing stop is made from the same material as the base. In the context of the present invention, by “made from material”, it is understood that the base of the cylinder head gasket and each at least one indexing diaphragm come from the same manufacturing process and that they cannot be detached from one another without one and / or the other being entirely or partially damaged or destroyed;

[0016] - the at least one indexing stop extends from a first side of the base. Rela tively to the first side of the base, the at least one indexing stop extends perpendicular to the base. The at least one indexing stop extends at a distance of between 5 mm and 25 mm from the base, relative to the first side;

[0017] - the at least one indexing stop extends from a second side of the base, opposite to the first side of the base. Relative to the second side of the base, the at least one indexing stop extends perpendicular to the base. The at least one indexing stop extends at a distance of between 5 mm and 25 mm from the base, relative to the second side;

[0018] - the at least one indexing stop is symmetrical with respect to a plane formed by the base.

[0019] - the at least one indexing stop has a cylindrical bearing surface. The cylindrical bearing surface lindrique is delimited by a preferentially circular or elliptical contour, and it preferentially extends perpendicular to the base;

[0020] - the cylindrical bearing surface is hollow so as to allow the insertion of a pin of centering in said cylindrical bearing surface. Thus, the cylindrical bearing surface is delimited by an inner wall of non-zero thickness and which delimits a cylindrical housing inside the hollow cylindrical bearing surface. Advantageously, the inner wall comprises at least one bulge which extends radially in the direction of a central axis of the cylindrical housing, the at least one bulge making it possible to engage the centering pin by force fitting and with friction. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the holding of the cylinder head gasket and to prevent it from slipping and sliding during assembly operations;

[0021] - the cylinder head gasket has a first cylindrical bearing surface located between the or openings and a first lateral edge of the cylinder head gasket, and a second cylindrical bearing surface located between said openings and a second lateral edge of said cylinder head gasket.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat engine for a motor vehicle, the heat engine comprising:

[0023] - a cylinder block;

[0024] - a cylinder head covering the cylinder block;

[0025] - a cylinder head gasket according to the first aspect of the invention or according to one of any of its improvements, the cylinder head gasket being housed between the cylinder block and the cylinder head, the cylinder head being securely fixed to the cylinder block by means of pins engaged through the cylinder head gasket.

[0026] In particular, at least a portion of the pins collaborate with the at least one indexing stop of the cylinder head gasket. More particularly, at least a portion of the pins extend through the hollow cylindrical bearing surface provided by the at least one indexing stop.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a heat engine in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

[0028] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics exhibited here.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a cylinder head gasket according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] illustrates a sectional view of an indexing stop of the cylinder head gasket illustrated on [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig.3] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of an engine thermal according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0033] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0034] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0035] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0036] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a cylinder head gasket 1 for a heat engine 2, the cylinder head gasket 1 being intended to be placed between a cylinder block 20 and a cylinder head of the heat engine 2. The cylinder head gasket 1 comprises:

[0037] - a base 11 comprising a plurality of openings 13 intended to be aligned with combustion chambers of the heat engine 2;

[0038] - at least one indexing stop 12 which projects from the base 11. Preferably Specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the class gasket comprises several openings 13, and in particular it comprises three which are aligned and regularly distributed relative to each other, relative to a specific elongation axis of the cylinder head gasket 1.

[0039] The base 11 forms the flat seal forming a thin membrane making it possible to provide the expected seal when the cylinder head gasket 1 is crushed between the cylinder block 20 and the cylinder head of the heat engine 2.

[0040] Of course, the base 11 can take any shape and any dimensions, depending on the characteristics of the cylinder block 20 with which the seal cylinder head 1 is intended to cooperate and adapt. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the cylinder head gasket 1 is generally rectangular, has a constant thickness and extends flat.

[0041] The base 11 is crossed by the openings 13 which are formed in the base 11 itself, so as to surround the combustion chambers of the cylinder block 20 and to ensure their sealing when the cylinder head gasket 1 is mounted on the cylinder block 20.

[0042] In order to guarantee optimal placement of the openings 13 of the cylinder head gasket 1 around the associated combustion chambers of the cylinder block 20 and in order to provide optimal sealing, the cylinder head gasket 1 according to the first aspect of the invention comprises one or more indexing stops 12. Each indexing stop 12 is intended to collaborate with a centering pin 21 of the heat engine 2, thus making it possible to facilitate and optimize the positioning of the cylinder head gasket 1 on the cylinder block 20.

[0043] With reference to [Fig.2], each indexing stop 12 takes the form of a protrusion which extends from the base 11 and projects from the base 11.

[0044] Each indexing stop 12 is made in one piece with the base 11.

[0045] Each indexing stop 12 comprises a cylindrical bearing surface. The cylindrical bearing surface forming each of the at least one indexing stop 12 is delimited by a preferably circular or elliptical contour, and it preferably extends perpendicularly to the base 11. The cylindrical bearing surface is hollow so as to allow the insertion of a centering pin 21 of the heat engine 2 into said cylindrical bearing surface. Thus, the centering pin 21 of the heat engine 2 can be inserted totally or partially into said cylindrical bearing surface, in particular, when the centering pin 21 is partially inserted into the cylindrical bearing surface forming the at least one indexing stop 12, the centering pin 21 is then sleeved by said cylindrical bearing surface. In other words, according to the invention, the cylindrical bearing surface is configured to sleeve a head of the centering pin 21 with which it is associated.This configuration thus makes it possible to define the position of the cylinder head gasket 1 on the cylinder block 20 by cleverly using the centering pin(s) 21 present and used when mounting the cylinder head on the cylinder block 20.

[0046] As visible in [Fig.2], the cylindrical bearing surface is delimited by an inner wall of non-zero thickness and which delimits a cylindrical housing inside the hollow cylindrical bearing surface. The housing is configured to receive, totally or partially, one of the centering pins 21 of the heat engine 2.

[0047] Preferably, the dimensions and / or the shape of the cylindrical bearing surface forming each at least one indexing stop 12 are such that they allow the corresponding centering pin 21 to be engaged by force fitting and with friction in said cylindrical bearing surface. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to perfectly define the relative position of the cylinder head gasket 1 with respect to the cylinder block 20 on the one hand, and on the other hand to improve the holding of the cylinder head gasket 1 during the assembly operations of the heat engine 2.

[0048] As visible in [Fig.2]: each at least one indexing stop 12 extends from a first side C1 of the base 11 and / or from a second side C2 of the base 11 opposite the first side C1. Advantageously, the indexing stop 12 extends simultaneously from the side of the first side C1 and from the second side C2.

[0049] Each indexing stop 12 extends perpendicularly to the plane formed by the base 11, relative to the first side C1 and / or to the second side C2 of the base 11. Preferably, each at least one indexing stop 12 extends towards the first side C1 and towards the second side C2 in a symmetrical manner relative to the plane formed by the base 11.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the cylinder head gasket 1 comprises a first indexing stop 12 located near a first lateral edge 14 of the base 11, and a second indexing stop 12 located near a second lateral edge 15 of the base 11, opposite the first lateral edge 14 relative to a specific elongation axis of the cylinder head gasket 1 corresponding to the largest dimension of the base 11.

[0051] With reference to [Fig.3], the invention also relates to a heat engine 2 for a motor vehicle, the heat engine 2 comprising:

[0052] - a cylinder block 20;

[0053] - a cylinder head covering the cylinder block 20;

[0054] - a cylinder head gasket 1 according to the first aspect of the invention and as described above previously, the cylinder head gasket 1 being housed between the cylinder block 20 and the cylinder head, the cylinder head being fixedly attached to the cylinder block 20 by means of pins 21 engaged through the cylinder head gasket 1.

[0055] In particular, at least a portion of the pins 21 collaborate with the at least one indexing stop 12 of the cylinder head gasket 1.

[0056] In summary, the invention relates to a cylinder head gasket 1 for a heat engine 2, the cylinder head gasket 1 comprising a base 11 comprising a plurality of openings 13 intended to be aligned with combustion chambers of the heat engine 2 and at least one indexing stop 12 which projects from the base 11. Each at least one indexing stop 12 is made in one piece with the base 11 and makes it possible to define a single assembly configuration of the cylinder head gasket 1 on the cylinder block 20.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above may be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Cylinder head gasket (1) for a heat engine (2), the cylinder head gasket (1) being intended to be placed between a cylinder block (20) and a cylinder head of the heat engine (2), the cylinder head gasket (1) forming a base (11) comprising a plurality of openings (13) intended to be aligned with combustion chambers of the heat engine (2), characterized in that the cylinder head gasket (1) comprises at least one indexing stop (12) which projects from the base (11).

2. Cylinder head gasket (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one indexing stop (12) is made in one piece with the base (H).

3. Cylinder head gasket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one indexing stop (12) extends from a first side (Cl) of the base (11).

4. Cylinder head gasket (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one indexing stop (12) extends from a second side (C2) of the base (11), opposite the first side (Cl) of the base (11).

5. Cylinder head gasket (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one indexing stop (12) is symmetrical with respect to a plane formed by the base (11).

6. A cylinder head gasket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one indexing stop (12) comprises a cylindrical bearing surface.

7. Cylinder head gasket (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the cylindrical bearing surface is hollow so as to allow the insertion of a centering pin (21) in said cylindrical bearing surface.

8. A cylinder head gasket (1) according to any preceding claim taken in combination with claim 4, wherein the cylinder head gasket (1) comprises a first cylindrical bearing surface located between the openings (13) and a first lateral edge (14) of the cylinder head gasket (1), and a second cylindrical bearing surface located between said openings (13) and a second lateral edge (15) of said cylinder head gasket (1).

9. Heat engine (2) for a motor vehicle, the heat engine (2) comprising: - a cylinder block (20); - a cylinder head covering the cylinder block (20); - a cylinder head gasket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. preceding, the cylinder head gasket (1) being housed between the cylinder block (20) and the cylinder head, the cylinder head being securely fixed to the cylinder block (20) by means of pins (21) engaged through the cylinder head gasket (1).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a heat engine (2) according to the preceding claim.

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