Reversible oil sump for internal combustion engines

Abstract

A reversible oil pan for an internal combustion engine An oil pan for an engine includes a containment portion of unitary construction. The containment portion has a circumferential component that defines a circumferential extent of the containment portion and includes a pair of opposing side walls. The containment portion also includes a bottom wall that extends inwardly from a first portion of the circumferential component and defines a lower extent of the containment portion. The oil pan also includes an attachment portion that includes an attachment surface at a second portion of the circumferential component; a first plug portion on an interior of a first one of the pair of opposing side walls at a first location; and a second plug portion on an interior of a second one of the pair of opposing side walls at a second location. The first and second plug portions are configured to receive an oil siphon connector, and the attachment portion has rotational symmetry such that the attachment surface is connectable to an engine block in a first orientation and a second orientation. The first and second plug portions are positioned such that an oil line having a fixed position relative to the engine block is aligned adjacent the first plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the first orientation, and is aligned adjacent the second plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the second orientation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil pans for internal combustion engines. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, an oil pan is provided for an internal combustion engine, which is suitable not only for the specific model of the internal combustion engine but also for the model of the machine or vehicle in which the internal combustion engine is intended to be used. This is to accommodate the different packaging limitations on different machines and vehicles.

[0003] Oil pans are most commonly made of metal and are usually cast as a single unit. However, additional manufacturing steps are often performed, such as machining and / or adding components by welding.

[0004] Recently, composite oil pans have been introduced. Composite oil pans are typically molded into a single, integral part. Machining composite oil pans is less common than that of metal oil pans. Furthermore, due to the limitations in weld strength compared to metal welds, manufacturing multiple molded composite oil pan parts via plastic welding is generally avoided.

[0005] Another common practice is that the oil siphon, which collects oil from the oil pan to supply the internal combustion engine, is connected to the engine assembly before the oil pan is assembled to the internal combustion engine, and is not directly mechanically connected to the oil pan. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In this context, an oil pan for an engine is provided. The oil pan includes: an integrally constructed receiving portion having: a circumferential member defining a circumferential range of the receiving portion and including a pair of opposing sidewalls; a bottom wall extending inwardly from a first portion of the circumferential member and defining a lower portion of the receiving portion; and an attachment portion including: an attachment surface at a second portion of the circumferential member; a first plug portion located at a first position inside the first sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls; and a second plug portion located at a second position inside the second sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls; wherein the first and second plug portions are configured to receive an oil siphon connector. And wherein the attachment portion has rotational symmetry, such that the attachment surface is connectable to the engine block in a first orientation and a second orientation; and wherein the first plug portion and the second plug portion are positioned such that an oil pipe having a fixed position relative to the engine block is aligned adjacent to the first plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the first orientation, and aligned adjacent to the second plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the second orientation; wherein both the first plug portion and the second plug portion include a first finger extending radially inward from the circumferential member and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface.

[0007] In this way, a single specification of oil pan can be deployed on an internal combustion engine in one or two orientations to accommodate the different constraints that may constitute the engine in different machines. Thus, when the oil pan is connected to the engine block, the engine oil lines, which have a fixed position relative to the engine block, will be aligned with either the first or second plug portion.

[0008] By enabling the same oil pan to be deployed in both directions, a wide range of machines and vehicles with different packaging constraints can accommodate the oil pan, which reduces the need to manufacture different oil pans for engines of the same specifications used in different machines.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, an oil pan siphon connector configured for use with an oil pan is provided. The oil pan siphon connector includes a receptacle portion configured to correspond to both the first plug portion and the second plug portion, such that the receptacle portion can be deployed together with either the first plug portion or the second plug portion.

[0010] In this way, a single oil pan and a single oil pan siphon connector can be deployed with the engine in either direction. Therefore, neither different oil pans nor different oil pan siphon connectors are required to use the oil pan with the engine in either direction. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 An oil pan according to the invention is shown with a plurality of connecting bolts for connecting the oil pan to the engine block; Figure 2 An exploded view of a first oil pan assembly is shown, the first oil pan assembly including... Figure 1 Oil pan, oil pan siphon connector, and oil pan siphon with transmission pipe; Figure 3 It shows the assembled form Figure 2 Oil pan assembly; Figure 4 An exploded view of a second oil pan assembly is shown, which includes... Figure 1 The oil pan, the oil pan siphon connector, and the oil pan siphon; Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Oil pan assembly; Figure 6 A first view of an isolated oil pan siphon connector is shown; Figure 7 A second view of the isolated oil pan siphon connector is shown; Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 Another perspective view of the oil pan (without these connecting bolts) and one of the attachment parts is enlarged; Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 Another perspective view of the oil pan (which also lacks these connecting bolts), with one of the attachment parts enlarged; Figure 10 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 A top view of the oil pan siphon connector; and Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 A top view of the oil pan siphon connector, showing the relevant parts of the oil pan and the delivery pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0012] This invention relates to an oil pan for an engine, the oil pan comprising: The integrally constructed receiving portion has: A circumferential component that defines a circumferential range of the receiving portion and includes a pair of opposing sidewalls; A bottom wall extending inward from a first portion of the circumferential member and defining a lower portion of the receiving portion; and An attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising: The attachment surface at the second part of the circumferential component; The first insertion portion is located inside the first sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls in the first position; The second insertion portion is located in the second position on the interior of the second sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls; The first and second plug portions are configured to receive an oil siphon connector; and The attachment portion has rotational symmetry, allowing the attachment surface to be connected to the engine block in both a first and a second orientation; and The first plug portion and the second plug portion are positioned such that the oil pipe having a fixed position relative to the engine block is aligned adjacent to the first plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the first orientation, and aligned adjacent to the second plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine block in the second orientation.

[0013] Figure 1 An oil pan 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is used with an engine (not shown) and a plurality of bolts 114. The oil pan 100 includes an integrally constructed receiving portion 101. The oil pan may be made of a composite material and may be formed by molding.

[0014] Figure 2 An exploded view of the oil pan 100 together with the oil siphon connector 400, the oil siphon 500, and the transfer pipe 600 is shown. Figure 3 It shows the assembly form with Figure 2 Same parts.

[0015] Refer again Figure 1 The receiving portion 101 includes a circumferential member 180 defining a circumferential range of the receiving portion 101. The receiving portion 101 has a first portion 102 and a second portion 104. The first portion 102 is generally a lower portion, while the second portion 104 is generally an upper portion relative to the first portion 102. The circumferential member 180 includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 140, 150, and may further include a pair of opposing endwalls 145, 155. The pair of opposing endwalls 145, 155 may be perpendicular to the pair of opposing sidewalls 140, 150.

[0016] The receiving portion 101 also includes a bottom wall 160 that extends inward from the first portion 102 of the circumferential member 180 and defines the lower portion of the receiving portion 101.

[0017] The oil pan 100 has an orifice 170 opposite to the bottom wall 160. Figure 1 (Top opening in the direction). Thus, the oil pan 100 defines a volume defined by the receiving portion 101 and the orifice 170, which is conducive to containing engine oil.

[0018] The receiving portion 101 has a first end 120 and a second end 130. The first end 120 may be deeper than the second end 130. The first end wall 145 of the pair of opposing end walls 145, 155 may be located at the first end 120, and the second end wall 155 of the second pair of opposing end walls 145, 155 may be located at the second end 130. The second end wall 155 may be shorter than the first end wall 145.

[0019] The two opposing sidewalls 140 and 150 may each be shorter at the second end 130 than at the first end 120.

[0020] The bottom wall 160 may include a first portion at a first end 120, a second portion at a second end 130, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions. The intermediate portion may be inclined to accommodate the height difference of the bottom wall between the first and second portions.

[0021] In this way, the accommodating portion 101 can accommodate a larger volume at the first end 120 than at the second end 130.

[0022] The receiving portion 101 may include an access port 190 configured to receive a probe for measuring the oil level in the receiving portion 101.

[0023] The receiving portion 101 also includes an attachment portion 105. The attachment portion 105 includes an attachment surface 110 at a second portion 104 of the circumferential member 180 near the orifice 170.

[0024] The circumferential component 180 may include a plurality of ribs 116, each extending substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface 110. The ribs 116 may contribute to the structural rigidity of the oil pan 100. One or more of the plurality of ribs 116 may include retaining apertures in the attachment portion 105, each retaining aperture configured to receive a fastener such as a bolt 114. In this manner, when the attachment portion 105 is positioned to meet a corresponding attachment area on the underside of the engine block, the attachment portion 105 can be fastened to the underside of the engine block (not shown) using bolts 114.

[0025] The attachment portion 105 has rotational symmetry, such that the attachment surface 110 can be connected to the engine assembly in a first orientation and a second orientation. Thus, the oil pan 100 can be secured to the engine assembly via a first (deep) end 120 pointing in the first direction and a second (shallow) end 130 pointing in the second direction, or it can be secured to the same engine assembly via the first (deep) end 120 pointing in the second direction and the second (shallow) end 130 pointing in the first direction. This provides flexibility for use in different applications (e.g., different machines) with different packaging constraints.

[0026] The attachment portion 105 also includes a first plug portion 200 on the interior of the first sidewall of a pair of opposing sidewalls 140 located at the first position 201. The attachment portion 105 also includes a second plug portion 300 on the interior of the second sidewall of a pair of opposing sidewalls 150 located at the second position 301.

[0027] Given the rotational symmetry of the attachment portion 105, the first plug portion 200 or the second plug portion 300 are located in the same position relative to the engine assembly according to the direction in which the oil pan 100 is connected to the engine assembly.

[0028] Each of the first plug portion 200 and the second plug portion 300 is configured as an oil siphon connector 400, for example Figure 6 The oil siphon connector 400 is shown.

[0029] Thus, when the oil pipe with a fixed position relative to the engine block is connected to the engine block in a first orientation at the attachment portion 105, it is aligned adjacent to the first plug portion 200, and when the attachment portion 105 is connected to the engine block in a second orientation, it is aligned adjacent to the second plug portion 300.

[0030] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 The first plug portion 200 includes a plurality of fingers 220. Each of the plurality of fingers 220 may protrude from the inner surface of the sidewall 140. Each of the plurality of fingers 220 may have an elongated direction extending substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface 110, a length extending substantially parallel to the attachment surface 110, and a width extending substantially inward from the inner surface of the sidewall 140.

[0031] All the fingers of the multiple fingers 220 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0032] At least one of the plurality of fingers 220 may taper gradually in one or both of its width and length, thus being narrower near the attachment surface 110 and wider away from the attachment surface. When a finger tapers gradually in at least one of its width and length, the finger may be referred to as a wedge portion.

[0033] The plurality of fingers 220 may include a first finger 212, a second finger 214, a third finger 216, and a fourth finger 218. The first finger 212 may be located on one of the ribs 116. The second finger 214, the third finger 216, and the fourth finger 218 may each be located on a portion of the inner surface 141 of the sidewall 140, which is planar and located between the ribs 116. The innermost surfaces of the second finger 214 and the third finger 216 may be substantially parallel to the axis of the sidewall 140. The innermost surface of the first finger 212 may be angled to the axis of the sidewall 140, and the innermost surface of the fourth finger 218 may be angled to the axis of the sidewall 140 such that the innermost surfaces of the first finger 212 and the innermost surfaces of the fourth finger 218 face each other to a certain extent.

[0034] The first plug portion 200 may further include a support post 230 configured to cooperate with a leg of the siphon connector. The support post 230 may project upward from the bottom wall 160. The support post 230 may include a surface 232 and an alignment pin 234 projecting upward from the surface 232. The first plug portion 200 also further includes a lip 240 extending from the inner surface of the sidewall 140 and having an upper surface perpendicular to the inner surface of the sidewall 140.

[0035] One or both of the surfaces 232 of the lip 240 and the support 230 can be used as end stops to prevent further downward movement of the oil siphon connector 400.

[0036] Figure 4 It shows the relationship with Figure 2 Exploded view of the oil pan 100 with different orientations, together with the oil siphon connector 400 and the oil siphon 500 (but without the transfer tube 600). Figure 5 It shows the assembly form with Figure 4 Same parts.

[0037] Reference Figure 4 The second plug portion 300 includes a plurality of fingers 320. Each of the plurality of fingers 320 may protrude from the inner surface of the sidewall 140. Each of the plurality of fingers 320 may have an elongated direction extending substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface 110, a length extending substantially parallel to the attachment surface 110, and a width extending substantially inward from the inner surface of the sidewall 150.

[0038] All the fingers of the multiple fingers 320 are basically parallel to each other.

[0039] At least one of the plurality of fingers 320 may taper gradually in one or both of its width and length, being narrower near the attachment surface 110 and wider away from the attachment surface 110. When a finger tapers gradually in at least one of its width and length, the finger may be referred to as a wedge portion.

[0040] The plurality of fingers 320 may include a first finger (corresponding to first finger 212 but not separately labeled in the figure), a second finger (corresponding to second finger 214), a third finger (corresponding to third finger 216), and a fourth finger (corresponding to fourth finger 218). The first finger may be located on one of the ribs 116. The second, third, and fourth fingers may each be located on a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall 150, which is planar and located between the ribs 116. The innermost surfaces of the second and third fingers are parallel to the axis of the sidewall 150. The innermost surface of the first finger may be at an angle to the axis of the sidewall 150, and the innermost surface of the fourth finger may be at an angle to the axis of the sidewall 150, such that the innermost surfaces of the first and fourth fingers face each other to a certain extent.

[0041] It should be noted that the plurality of fingers 220 at the first plug portion 200 may not be exactly the same as the plurality of fingers 320 at the second plug portion 300. However, the plurality of fingers 220 at the first plug portion 200 and the plurality of fingers 320 at the second plug portion 300 must be compatible with the oil siphon connector 400, which means that there is at least a high degree of similarity between the plurality of fingers 220 at the first plug portion 200 and the plurality of fingers 320 at the second plug portion 300.

[0042] The second plug portion 300 may further include a support post 330 configured to cooperate with the legs of the oil siphon connector. The support post 330 may project upward from the bottom wall 160. Considering the different depths of the oil pan 100 between the first end 120 and the second end 130, the support post 330 of the second plug portion 300 may have a different length than the support post 230 of the first plug portion 200. The support post 330 may include a surface 332 and an alignment pin 334 projecting upward from the surface 332. The first plug portion 300 also further includes a lip 340 extending from the inner surface of the sidewall 150 and having an upper surface perpendicular to the inner surface of the sidewall 150.

[0043] One or both of the surfaces 332 of the lip 340 and the support 330 can be used as end stops to prevent further downward movement of the oil siphon connector 400.

[0044] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7The oil siphon connector 400 according to the present invention is described.

[0045] The oil siphon connector 400 includes a top surface 430 located in the top plane of the oil siphon connector 400, a mating portion 410 located on a first side of the oil siphon connector 400 perpendicular to the top surface 430, an oil passage 420 extending from the top surface 430 through the oil siphon connector 400 to the connector outlet 450, and a leg 440 extending from a second side of the oil siphon connector 400.

[0046] The mating portion 410 includes a socket portion 415, which includes a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings may include a first opening 412, a second opening 414, a third opening 416, and a fourth opening 418. The first opening 412 is configured to correspond to and receive a first finger 212 of the first plug portion 200 and a first finger (not simultaneously) of the second plug portion 300. The second opening 414 is configured to correspond to and receive a second finger 214 of the first plug portion 200 and a second finger (not simultaneously) of the second plug portion 300. The third opening 416 is configured to correspond to and receive a third finger 216 of the first plug portion 200 and a third finger (not simultaneously) of the second plug portion 300. The fourth opening 418 is configured to correspond to and receive a fourth finger 218 of the first plug portion 200 and a fourth finger (not simultaneously) of the second plug portion 300.

[0047] When at least one of the fingers 220, 320 of the first plug portion 200 and the second plug portion 300 has the taper as described above, the corresponding orifices of the plurality of orifices may have the corresponding taper.

[0048] The mating part 410 may also include a lower stop surface 411 distributed among a plurality of orifices. The lower stop surface 411 may be located in a plane parallel to the top surface 430.

[0049] The top surface 430 may include components that form a tube seal channel 422 configured to receive a tube seal (not shown). The tube seal channel 422 may be entirely defined within the top surface 430. Alternatively, and as in the illustrated embodiment, once the oil siphon connector 400 is in place in the oil pan, the tube seal channel 422 may be at least partially defined by the plug portions 200, 300.

[0050] Figure 10 The component of the tube seal channel 422 provided by the oil siphon connector 400 is shown. Figure 11 An oil siphon connector 400 in situ with the oil pan 100 is shown, illustrating how a tube seal passage 422 is provided partly by the oil siphon connector 400 and partly by the plug portions 200, 300.

[0051] The outrigger 440 may include a support column 442 and a foot 444 having a flat lower surface. The foot 444 may include an opening 446.

[0052] When the first plug portion 200 is used in its first configuration (e.g.) Figure 3 As shown in the first orientation, some or all of the following can occur: The mating part 410 cooperates with the multiple fingers 220 of the first plug part 200; The lower stop surface 411 rests on the lip 240; The top surface 430 is located in the same plane as the attachment surface 110, thus completing the pipe seal channel 422; The flat lower surface of the foot 444 rests on the surface 222 of the support 230; and Alignment pin 234 extends through hole 446 in foot 444.

[0053] In this way, the oil siphon connector 400 can remain in place at the first plug portion 200.

[0054] When the oil pan 100 is in the second configuration using the second plug portion 300 (e.g.) Figure 5 As shown in the second orientation in the diagram, some or all of the following can occur: The mating part 410 mates with the plurality of fingers 320 of the second plug part 300; The lower stop surface 411 rests on the lip 340; The top surface 430 is located in the same plane as the attachment surface 110, thus completing the pipe seal channel 422; The flat lower surface of the foot 444 rests on the surface 332 of the support 330; and Alignment pin 334 extends through hole 446 in foot 444.

[0055] In this way, the oil siphon connector 400 can remain in place at the second plug portion 300.

[0056] When at least one of the fingers 220, 320 of the first plug portion 200 and the second plug portion 300 has a taper and the corresponding orifice of the plurality of orifices has a corresponding taper, this can help improve the interference fit when the oil siphon connector 400 is located in the oil pan 100 and eliminate movement of the oil siphon connector 400 relative to the oil pan 100.

[0057] Reference Figure 2The oil siphon connector 400 may have an oil siphon 500 and a transmission pipe 600 deployed at the first plug portion 200.

[0058] Reference Figure 4 The oil siphon connector 400 can be deployed together with the oil siphon 500 (but without the transmission tube 600) at the second plug portion 300.

[0059] The connector outlet 450 of the oil siphon connector 400 can be connected to the inlet 620 of the transmission tube 600 or the inlet 520 of the oil siphon 500.

[0060] The outlet 650 of the transmission pipe 600 can be connected to the inlet 520 of the oil siphon pipe 500.

[0061] In this way, identical oil siphon connectors 400 and identical oil siphons 500 can be deployed regardless of whether the first plug portion 200 or the second plug portion 300 is in use. The transmission tube 600 is only required when the first plug portion 200 is in use, and not when the second plug portion 300 is in use.

[0062] Industrial applicability Depending on the orientation of the oil pan 100 relative to the engine, the oil pan 100 and oil siphon connector 400 of the present invention enable the same oil pan 100 (and oil siphon connector 400) to be used with the engine in two different configurations.

[0063] This means that the same components can be efficiently deployed in different configurations to produce different components of these products, in order to help limit the different packaging of different machines using the same engine and the same oil pan 100.

[0064] Manufacturing only a single design for the oil pan 100, a single design for the oil siphon connector 400, a single design for the oil siphon 500, and a single design for the transfer pipe 600 (required only for one of the two orientations) allows for the efficient production of two different oil pan assemblies suitable for different applications, resulting in manufacturing efficiency, a minimum number of production lines, a reduced number of manufacturer parts, a reduced number of parts across multiple engine platforms, and reduced development costs.

[0065] Furthermore, by providing an oil siphon connector 400 fixed relative to the oil pan 100, a fully assembled oil pan assembly can be brought to the engine assembly, and the entire siphon function can be secured to the engine using the oil pan assembly, instead of the previously common method where the siphon had to be assembled to the engine assembly before the oil pan could be assembled to the engine assembly. This removes a step from the engine assembly process, as the oil pan assembly can be pre-assembled without the engine.

[0066] By manufacturing the oil pan as a single integral part that can be molded, the number of process steps is reduced compared to conventional cast metal oil pans that may require some subsequent manufacturing steps (such as welding).

Claims

1. An oil pan for an engine, comprising: The integrally constructed receiving portion has: A circumferential component that defines the circumferential extent of the receiving portion and includes a pair of opposing sidewalls; A bottom wall that extends inward from a first portion of the circumferential member and defines the lower portion of the receiving portion; as well as The attachment portion includes: The attachment surface at the second portion of the circumferential component; The first insertion portion is located inside the first sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls in the first position; The second insertion portion is located in the second position on the interior of the second sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls; The first and second plug portions are configured to receive an oil siphon connector; and The attachment portion has rotational symmetry, allowing the attachment surface to be connected to the engine block in both a first and a second orientation; and Wherein, the first plug portion and the second plug portion are positioned such that the oil pipe having a fixed position relative to the engine cylinder block is aligned adjacent to the first plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine cylinder block in the first orientation, and is aligned adjacent to the second plug portion when the attachment portion is attached to the engine cylinder block in the second orientation. Both the first plug portion and the second plug portion include a first finger, which extends radially inward from the circumferential component and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface.

2. The oil pan according to claim 1, wherein, The first finger includes a wedge-shaped component that tapers outward as it extends radially inward and / or as it extends toward the bottom wall.

3. The oil pan according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first plug portion includes a second finger, and the second plug portion includes a second finger.

4. The oil pan according to claim 3, wherein, The first plug portion further includes a third finger, and the second plug portion also includes a third finger.

5. The oil pan according to claim 4, wherein, The attachment portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending ribs that accommodate a fastener receiving portion through which the oil pan can be fastened to the engine block.

6. The oil pan according to claim 5, wherein, Each second finger is at least partially located between a pair of the plurality of inwardly extending ribs, and each first finger is at least partially located on one of the plurality of inwardly extending ribs, such that the inner surface of each first finger lies in a plane different from the inner surface of each second finger.

7. An integrally constructed oil pan siphon connector, said oil pan siphon connector being configured for use with any of the preceding claims of an oil pan, wherein, The oil pan siphon connector includes a socket portion configured to correspond to the first plug portion and the second plug portion, such that the socket portion can be deployed together with the first plug portion or with the second plug portion; The socket portion includes a first finger-shaped cavity, which corresponds to the first finger of the first plug portion and the first finger of the second plug portion.

8. The oil pan siphon connector according to claim 7, wherein, The first finger cavity gradually tapers as it extends radially, and / or as it extends toward the bottom wall, in order to accommodate the first finger of the first plug portion.

9. The oil pan siphon connector according to claim 7, wherein, The inner surface of each first finger cavity lies in a plane different from the inner surface of each second finger cavity.

10. An oil pan siphon, comprising an oil pan siphon connector according to any one of claims 7 to 9 and a conduit configured to deliver oil to the oil pan siphon connector.

11. An assembly of an oil pan according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and an oil pan siphon connector according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: The attachment surface at the second portion of the circumferential component lies in the same plane as the upper surface of the oil pan siphon connector.

12. The component of claim 11, wherein: The component includes a channel configured to receive a tube seal, the channel including a first channel portion and a second channel portion; The attachment surface at the second portion of the circumferential component of the attachment portion of the oil pan includes the first channel portion; and The upper surface of the oil pan siphon includes the second channel portion.

13. A method for manufacturing a composite oil pan assembly, the method comprising: The oil pan is injection molded using a composite material, the oil pan including a first plug portion and a second plug portion each configured to receive an oil siphon connector, the first plug portion and the second plug portion each including a first finger extending radially inward from a circumferential part of the oil pan and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface of the oil pan. The oil pan siphon connector is injection molded using the composite material, the oil pan siphon including a receptacle portion configured to correspond to the first plug portion and the second plug portion, such that the receptacle portion can be deployed separately from both the first plug portion and the second plug portion, the receptacle portion including a first finger cavity corresponding to the first finger of the first plug portion and the first finger of the second plug portion; as well as The socket portion of the oil pan siphon connector is pushed into and fitted into the first plug portion or the second plug portion.

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