Piston alignment tool for cylinder liner and piston and engine kit

Abstract

The utility model provides a piston alignment tool for a cylinder sleeve and a piston. The piston alignment tool comprises a main body; an inner guide surface extending along the inner diameter of the body, the inner guide surface configured to guide the piston relative to the inner diameter of the cylinder liner; and an axially extending overhanging engagement tab extending from the body, the axially extending overhanging engagement tab configured to interface with an outer circumference of the cylinder liner. The utility model further provides an engine kit with the piston alignment tool. The piston alignment tool for the air cylinder sleeve and the piston is favorable for improving alignment and positioning of the piston relative to the air cylinder sleeve, and meanwhile, the piston alignment tool is provided with a structure suitable for being transported together with an engine suite so as to provide further protection in the process of being transported to a final user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model generally relates to vehicle components, and in particular to the alignment of engine pistons within cylinder liners. BACKGROUND

[0002] When assembling a cylinder liner kit, the piston is typically inserted into the cylinder liner upside down, usually without a ring, for transportation. Typically, this does not create a significant problem as the piston will self-align the bore and slide in. However, in some cases, the piston can be heavy and contact between the piston crown and the cylinder liner flange is almost certain. This can result in scuffing, denting and damage to the piston crown, which is undesirable and can result in engine performance issues. While alignment tools exist for inserting a piston into a cylinder liner, these tools are typically complex in structure and can be difficult to manufacture and use. SUMMARY

[0003] To at least address the above technical problems of alignment tools for inserting a piston into a cylinder liner being typically complex in structure and can be difficult to manufacture and use in the prior art, in one aspect, according to one embodiment, the present utility model provides a piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston. The piston alignment tool includes a body and an inner guide surface extending along an inner diameter of the body. The inner guide surface is configured to guide the piston relative to the inner diameter of the cylinder liner. An axially extending overhanging engagement tab extends from the body, the axially extending overhanging engagement tab being configured to interface with an outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

[0004] In some embodiments, the axially extending overhanging engagement tab extends from an outer circumference of the body.

[0005] In some embodiments, the piston alignment tool includes a second axially extending overhanging engagement tab extending from the body, the second axially extending overhanging engagement tab being configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

[0006] In some embodiments, the axially extending overhanging engagement tab and the second axially extending overhanging engagement tab are diametrically opposed.

[0007] In some embodiments, the piston alignment tool includes a third axially extending overhanging engagement tab extending from the body, the third axially extending overhanging engagement tab being configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

[0008] In some embodiments, the piston alignment tool includes a fourth axially extending overhanging engagement tab extending from the body, the fourth axially extending overhanging engagement tab being configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

[0009] In some embodiments, the axially extending overhanging engagement tab and the second axially extending overhanging engagement tab are diametrically opposed, and the third axially extending overhanging engagement tab and the fourth axially extending overhanging engagement tab are diametrically opposed.

[0010] In some embodiments, each axially extending overhang tab has a rounded profile contact surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the piston alignment tool includes a plurality of at least partially recessed portions between each adjacent axially extending overhang tab.

[0012] In some embodiments, each at least partially recessed portion includes a straight section.

[0013] In some embodiments, a length of each straight section is less than an outer diameter of the cylinder liner.

[0014] In some embodiments, each rounded axially extending overhang tab and each straight section make up an outer circumference of the body such that the outer circumference of the body has a square-round shape.

[0015] In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the body and an inner diameter of the body are concentric.

[0016] In some embodiments, the piston alignment tool includes a plurality of at least partially extended portions between each adjacent axially extending overhang tab.

[0017] In some embodiments, each at least partially extended portion includes a straight section.

[0018] In some embodiments, each straight section is configured to interface with a packaging container.

[0019] In some embodiments, the body has a honeycomb microstructure.

[0020] In another aspect, the present application also provides an engine kit, which includes the piston alignment tool provided in the above embodiments, wherein the axially extending overhang tab directly interfaces with an outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

[0021] In some embodiments, the axially extending overhang tab has a rounded profile contact surface adjacent to the at least partially extended portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the at least partially extended portion contacts an inner surface of the packaging container.

[0023] The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston provided by the present application helps to act as a barrier between the piston crown and the cylinder liner flange, while having a structure that is easier to manufacture. The piston alignment tool helps to simplify assembly of an engine kit, which can be more easily placed and held in position relative to the piston and the cylinder liner. The piston alignment tool can improve alignment of the piston with the cylinder liner bore, while having a structure that is suitable for shipping with the engine kit, so as to provide further protection during shipping to an end user.

[0024] The various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives described in the foregoing paragraphs, claims and / or the following description and drawings can be used alone or in any combination. For example, features described in relation to one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, to the extent not incongruent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The preferred exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to represent the same elements, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an engine piston, cylinder liner and piston alignment tool according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the piston alignment tool and schematically illustrates how the piston alignment tool is positioned relative to Figure 1 the cylinder liner of

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of Figure 1 the piston alignment tool from the cylinder side, while also illustrating the microstructure of the piston alignment tool; and

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the piston alignment tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The piston alignment tool embodiments described herein can act as a barrier between the piston crown and the cylinder liner flange, while having a structure that is easier to manufacture. The piston alignment tool facilitates simplifying the assembly of the engine kit, as it can be more easily placed and held in position relative to the piston and cylinder liner. The piston alignment tool can improve the alignment of the piston with the cylinder liner bore, while having a structure that is suitable for shipping with the engine kit, so as to provide further protection during shipping to the end user.

[0031] Figure 1 A piston alignment tool 10 is shown that facilitates aligning a piston 12 relative to a cylinder liner 14. The piston alignment tool 10, piston 12 and cylinder liner 14 can be part of an engine kit 16 that can be used to replace or retrofit a vehicle engine, and more particularly, in this embodiment, an automotive or industrial vehicle engine. The kit 16 can include other engine components, including but not limited to one or more piston rings, piston pins, bushings, seals, etc. The engine kit 16 can also include a packaging container 18 (see, e.g., Figure 4 ) for housing all of the components in the kit.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2The piston alignment tool 10 is configured to attach to the flange 20 of the cylinder liner 14 to facilitate guiding the piston 12 to align with the bore 22 of the cylinder liner. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the piston alignment tool 10, the piston 12, the cylinder liner 14, and the bore 22 are all concentrically arranged relative to the axis A. This facilitates improving the alignment between the piston 12 and the cylinder liner 14. Further, axial or axially extending as used herein means generally parallel (+ / - 5 degrees) to the axis A, while radial or radially extending means generally orthogonal (+ / - 5 degrees) to the axis A. For components, surfaces, etc. described as being radially or axially extending, only a portion thereof need be radially or axially extending, respectively. As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, the piston alignment tool 10 is attached to the flange 20 that extends radially outward from the main cylinder portion 24 of the cylinder liner 14. However, embodiments are also possible in which the piston alignment tool 10 is attached to the flangeless end of the cylinder liner 14.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 , the piston alignment tool 10 includes a main body 26, an inner guide surface 28 along the inner diameter ID PAT of the main body, and a plurality of axially extending overhang engagement tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 extending from the main body. Figure 1 The piston facing side 38 of the main body 26 is shown, Figure 3 The cylinder facing side 40 of the main body 26 is shown, where the piston facing side and the cylinder facing side are axially opposite. As detailed below, Figures 1 to 3 The illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of partial recesses 42, 44, 46, 48 between each of the axially extending overhang engagement tabs 30, 32, 34, 36. On the other hand, Figure 4 The embodiment of FIG. 2 has a plurality of partial extensions 50, 52, 54, 56 instead of the partial recesses 42, 44, 46, 48. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the partial extensions 42-56 includes a straight section 58 (only a few are labeled for clarity), which can facilitate packaging of the engine kit 16, as will be further explained below. Depending on the embodiment, the partial extensions 42-48 or 50-56, along with the axially extending overhang engagement tabs 30, 32, 34, 36, are arranged along the outer diameter OD PAT and constitute the outer circumference 60 of the main body 26 of the piston alignment tool 10.

[0034] With particular reference to Figure 2 , the main body 26 constitutes the main radially extending portion of the piston alignment tool 10, extending between the inner diameter ID PAT and the outer diameter OD PAT (OD PATThese are taken from two axially extending overhanging joints 30, 32 or 34, 36, respectively, with their diameters opposite each other. Apart from the axially extending overhanging joints 30, 32, 34, 36, the cylinder-facing side 40 of the body is generally planar to better match the flange 20 of the cylinder liner 14. The body 26 includes sections along the inner diameter ID. PAT The inner guide surface 28. The inner diameter ID of the body 26. PAT The inner diameter ID is smaller than cylinder liner 14. L This allows the cylinder liner 14 to be protected during piston 12 insertion, as the inner guide surface 28 can act as a barrier between the piston crown and the cylinder liner flange 20. Furthermore, the inner guide surface 28 has a tapered shape that, as the piston 12 descends through the tool 10, separates the piston 12 from the inner diameter ID of the cylinder liner 14. L Alignment (e.g., ID) PAT (38 is slightly larger on the piston-facing side than on the cylinder-facing side 40). Near the cylinder-facing side 40 of tool 10, the diameter ID... PAT Slightly smaller than diameter ID L This helps ensure that there is no edge contact between the piston 12 and the cylinder liner 14.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the axially extending overhanging joints 30, 32, 34, 36, together with the partially recessed portions 42, 44, 46, 48, constitute the outer circumference 60 of the body 26. However, it should be understood that the partially recessed portions 42, 44, 46, 48 may not be partially recessed relative to the outer circumference 60 of the body 26 (although this is certainly possible), but rather partially recessed to expose a portion of the flange 20 of the cylinder liner 14. This additional space can be used within the package 18, thereby providing more space for additional components in the kit 16. This configuration also produces... Figures 1 to 3 The squirrel shape 62 shown is easier to manufacture than other embodiments (i.e., a circular perimeter only at the axially extending overhanging joints 30, 32, 34, 36 and a square perimeter only at the partial recesses 42, 44, 46, 48). This also makes OD... PAT OD L ID PAT and ID L Both are concentric circles defined relative to axis A, which helps facilitate alignment between piston 12 and cylinder liner 14. However, other shapes are certainly possible. Given Figures 1 to 3 The shape shown, along each straight section 58 of the recessed portions 42, 44, 46, 48, has an outer diameter OD smaller than that of the cylinder liner 14. Lthe length of the body 26. In addition, the height H PAT and / or width W PAT is less than the outer diameter OD L .

[0036] the outer diameter OD PAT of the body 26 is preferably slightly greater than the outer diameter OD L of the cylinder liner 14, as defined between the diametrically opposed axially extending overhang tabs 30, 32 and 34, 36, respectively. This helps to provide an active engagement area around the outer circumference 64 of the cylinder liner 14 where each of the overhang tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 can directly interface with the cylinder liner 14. The outer circumference 64 is the area of the cylinder 14 that can be contacted by the axially extending overhang tabs 30, 32, 34, 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer circumference 64 is located on a flange 20 that is radially larger than the circumference of the main cylinder portion 24, but it should be understood that the outer circumference 64 can have a different shape, or no flange at all, just to name a few examples. In the illustrated embodiment, the first axially extending overhang tab 30 is diametrically opposed to the second axially extending overhang tab 32, and the third axially extending overhang tab 34 is diametrically opposed to the fourth axially extending overhang tab 36. In addition, the overhang tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 are equally spaced apart in the radial direction, which can help to provide a more uniform engagement around the cylinder 14.

[0037] More specifically as shown in Figure 3 the axially extending overhang tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 include a rounded profile contact surface 66 that extends from the body 26 to a distal edge 68 of each overhang tab. In the present implementation, the rounded profile contact surface 66 is designed to help maintain the tool 10 in a radially stable position so as to prevent the piston 12 from aligning with the ID PAT of the cylinder liner 14 by maintaining the ID L of the piston 12 in alignment with the ID LContact. Unlike more complex structures that are more securely fastened using specified fasteners or the like, the axially extending overhanging tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 can simplify the manufacturing process by more easily mounting and aligning the cylinder liner 14. In certain embodiments, there can be more or fewer axially extending overhanging tabs than the number specifically illustrated, or one or more tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 can be alternatively configured. As one example, the distal end 68 of each tab 30, 32, 34, 36 can include a radially inwardly extending flange that engages under the flange 20 of the cylinder liner 14. In another possible example, the tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 can be biased or spring loaded to provide more effective engagement with the cylinder liner 14. However, Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment can be easier to manufacture, where each tab 30, 32, 34, 36 extends only axially, and not radially.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the piston alignment tool 10 is used in an engine kit 16. Typically, when assembling an engine or cylinder kit 16, the piston 12 is inserted into the cylinder liner 14 upside down, typically without rings, for shipping. The tool 10 can act as a barrier between the piston 12 and the cylinder liner 14 in the kit 16. As Figure 4 Illustratively, the tool 10 can be sized to more securely fit into a packaging container 18 of the kit 16. In this implementation, the packaging container 18 is a box 70 that is used to house the piston alignment tool 10, the piston 12, and the cylinder liner 14. Other components can also be included within the packaging container 18, and in Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the partial extensions 50, 52, 54, 56 can act as housing surfaces to help retain the other components of the kit 16. Further, the partial extensions 50, 52, 54, 56 have straight section regions 58 that mimic the interior shape of the container 18 or box 70, which can further help stabilize the components of the kit 16 relative to the container, particularly when the straight section regions 58 directly contact the box 70. In this implementation, the tool 10 can be mass produced and used to ship with the kit 16 to provide further protection during shipping to the end user. Further, as Figure 4 Illustratively, by matching the profile of the box 18 in size, the tool 10 has the potential to add further stability to the components of the kit 16 during shipping.

[0039] In one embodiment, the tool 10 is manufactured using an additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing process, although other molding processes can be used. The tool 10 can be made of plastic, metal, or other operable materials, with plastic being the preferred material due to ease of manufacture and cost. As Figure 3Illustratively, the honeycomb microstructure 72 can help impart additional structural integrity when additive manufacturing is employed. Having the walls of the honeycomb microstructure 72 extend axially can impart additional axial strength to the tool 10.

[0040] It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are merely illustrative of the application of this present disclosure. Numerous other arrangements can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing has been described in some detail for the purposes of clarity and the example provided herein, it is numerous modifications and variations that can be made within the scope of the disclosed concepts. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

[0041] The terms "for example," "e.g.," "for instance," "such as," and "like," and the verbs "comprising," "having," "including," and their other verb forms, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Other terms are to be construed either literally or in accordance with their ordinary, customary, or plain meaning, unless otherwise explicitly defined in the specification. Furthermore, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Claims

1. A piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston, characterized by, comprising: a body; an inner guide surface extending along an inner diameter of the body, the inner guide surface configured to guide a piston relative to the inner diameter of the cylinder liner; and an axially extending overhang tab extending from the body, the axially extending overhang tab configured to interface with an outer circumference of the cylinder liner. The axially extending overhang tab extends from an outer circumference of the body.

2. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 1, characterized by Further comprising a second axially extending overhang tab extending from the body, the second axially extending overhang tab configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

3. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by The axially extending overhang tab and the second axially extending overhang tab are diametrically opposed.

4. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 3, characterized by Further comprising a third axially extending overhang tab extending from the body, the third axially extending overhang tab configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner, and further comprising a fourth axially extending overhang tab extending from the body, the fourth axially extending overhang tab configured to interface with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

5. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 3, characterized by The axially extending overhang tab and the second axially extending overhang tab are diametrically opposed, and the third axially extending overhang tab and the fourth axially extending overhang tab are diametrically opposed.

6. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 5, characterized by Each axially extending overhang tab has a circular profiled contact surface.

7. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 5, characterized by Further comprising a plurality of at least partially recessed portions between each adjacent axially extending overhang tab.

8. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 7, characterized by Each at least partially recessed portion includes a straight section region, and wherein a length of each straight section region is less than an outer diameter of the cylinder liner.

9. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 8, characterized by Each circular axially extending overhang tab and each straight section region make up an outer circumference of the body, such that the outer circumference of the body has a square-round shape.

10. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 9, characterized by An outer diameter of the body and an inner diameter of the body are concentric.

11. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 10, characterized by Further comprising a plurality of at least partially extending portions between each adjacent axially extending overhang tab, wherein each at least partially extending portion includes a straight section region configured to interface with a packaging container.

12. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 5, characterized by The body has a honeycomb microstructure.

13. The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston according to claim 1, characterized by, The piston alignment tool for a cylinder liner and a piston of claim 1, wherein the axially extending overhang tab directly interfaces with the outer circumference of the cylinder liner.

14. An engine kit characterized by, The axially extending overhang tab has a circular profiled contact surface adjacent to the at least partially extending portion.

15. The engine kit of claim 14, wherein, ​

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