Method and device for lubricant oil transport in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A lubricant oil transport device and method is provided in an internal combustion engine using wet sump lubrication. Near the connecting rod and the crankshaft cheeks, which are disposed exteriorly in the transverse acceleration and / or inclination direction and lie opposite a decentralized oil suction system, the oil repulsion part is configured to cause a centrifugal flow for oil transport in the oil pan area opposite the transverse acceleration and / or inclination, resulting from interaction of the oil repulsion part, connecting rod, and crankshaft cheeks. Thus, lubricant oil supply is always assured, without pumps additionally integrated into the engine, which increase costs and likelihood of failure. The oil pan may also now be flatter, which allows a low center of gravity of the engine while maintaining the required minimum road surface distance. Regarding oil change intervals, a greater amount of oil can be used, with the same proportions of the oil pan.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No. 10 2004 024 780.3 filed May 17, 2004. [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and a device for lubricant oil transport in an internal combustion engine using wet sump lubrication. [0004] 2. The Prior Art [0005] It is known that in the case of transverse installation into a motor vehicle of an internal combustion engine using wet sump lubrication, the lubricant oil supply is problematic when severe transverse acceleration, inclination, or both occurs. The central suction system is disposed deep in the wet sump and is connected with the lubricant pump. Thus, a risk exists that the central suction system will draw air in, instead of lubricant oil, and thereby interrupt lubricant circulation. [0006] To improve the reliability of the lubricant oil supply in case of severe transverse acceleration and / o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a device and method for ensuring the lubricant oil supply of an internal combustion engine using wet sump lubrication, even in severe transverse acceleration and inclination. The device includes a lubricant oil pump, a lubricant oil suction system, a crank mechanism, an oil pan with splash baffles or partition elements, and an oil repulsion part. The oil repulsion part is designed to prevent the lubricant oil from leaking out of the oil pan during transverse acceleration and inclination. The device can be easily installed without additional moving components and can maintain the required minimum distance between the oil pan and the road surface while ensuring a low center of gravity of the internal combustion engine. The method involves the use of the device and ensures the lubricant oil is transported into the oil pan in the absence of contact with the crank mechanism. These features make the device and method ideal for use in internal combustion engines.

Problems solved by technology

It is known that in the case of transverse installation into a motor vehicle of an internal combustion engine using wet sump lubrication, the lubricant oil supply is problematic when severe transverse acceleration, inclination, or both occurs.

Thus, a risk exists that the central suction system will draw air in, instead of lubricant oil, and thereby interrupt lubricant circulation.

Pumps that are additionally integrated into an internal combustion engine are cost-intensive and increase the failure probability of the internal combustion engine.

This prevention, however, lasts only for a short period of time, as a result of the delayed equalization of the lubricant oil between the individual chambers.

Uniform lubricant oil transport in all the inclination states of the internal combustion engine cannot be expected, because not all the rotating parts are in contact with the lubricant oil at the same time.

However, this possibility requires an undesirable elevation of the center of gravity of the internal combustion engine, due to the required minimum distance of the oil pan from the road surface.

Images