COVER STRUCTURE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

Cover structure of an internal combustion engine (5), comprising: an engine body (7) including a crankshaft (15), a camshaft (9, 10) and a variable valve mechanism (51) that changes a relative rotational phase of the camshaft (9, 10) with respect to the crankshaft (15); and a cover member (18) attached to an end portion (11a, 12a) of the motor body (7), wherein the cover member (18) includes a cover portion (19) covering the end portion (11a, 12a) of the motor body (7), a first side wall portion (19A) and a second side wall portion (19B) provided on both sides of the cover portion (19) in the width direction and fixed to the end portion (11a, 12a) of the motor body (7), and an opening portion (19a), the cover structure being characterized in that the opening portion (19a) is formed at a position offset to the side of the first side wall portion (19A) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) in the cover portion (19) and is provided to accommodate a drive device (52) that drives the variable valve mechanism (51), wherein the cover member (18) includes a projection portion (30) extending from the cover portion (19) toward the engine body (7) and connected to the engine body (7), and a mounting attachment portion (22) provided on the cover portion (19) so as to be located on the side opposite to the opening portion (19a) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) and provided so as to attach a mounting member (3R) provided in a vehicle body (2R), wherein the mounting attachment portion (22) is provided between the opening portion (19a) and the second side wall portion (19B) in the width direction of the cover portion (19), wherein an upper end portion (22u) of the mounting attachment portion (22) is provided above the cover portion (19) with respect to a lower end portion (19g) of the opening portion (19a), and wherein the projection portion (30) is provided so as to overlap with the opening portion (19a) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) and is connected to the mounting attachment portion (22).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a cover structure of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle. [Previous state of the art]

[0002] Among vehicle-mounted internal combustion engines, an internal combustion engine is known which includes a motor drive having an electric motor for driving a variable valve control device (see JP 2013-113100 A).

[0003] In JP 2013-113100 A, the motor drive includes an electric motor and a housing attached to an outer surface of a chain case that covers one side of an internal combustion engine and surrounds the electric motor. The motor drive is attached to the chain case in such a manner that the other end portion of the housing is attached to an opening portion formed in the chain case.

[0004] From JP 2013-76 350 A a chain housing for an engine is known, wherein a chain cover and a bracket are formed integrally and the bracket is fastened to the engine via bolts.

[0005] KR 101533062 B1 discloses a cover for an engine's timing chain. A plate covers the timing chain on one side of an engine block. Noise caused by the timing chain is suppressed by sealing a gap between the plate, the engine block, and an oil pan with shielding material.

[0006] From DE 11 2011 101 854 B4 a chain case structure for an engine is known, which includes a chain case mounted on one end of an engine block of the engine, wherein a mounting unit for supporting the engine block and a cylinder unit for receiving a hydraulic control valve are provided, which protrude from an outer wall of the chain case.

[0007] From JP 2008-175 153 A an engine with a variable valve timing mechanism is known, wherein an oil control valve is mounted on a chain housing of the engine and an oil drain hole opens into the interior of the chain housing. [Summary of the invention][Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Because a heavy object, such as a motor drive, is attached to the chain case with the opening portion in a conventional internal combustion engine, the rigidity of the chain case is reduced. Therefore, there are concerns that the engine drive may vibrate if the chain case vibrates due to vibrations from the internal combustion engine.

[0009] This invention has been conceived in view of the problems described above, and an object of this invention is to provide a cover structure of an internal combustion engine with which vibration of a cover member due to vibration of an engine body can be prevented and, as a result, the supporting rigidity of a drive device can be improved and vibration of the drive device can be prevented. [Means of solving the problem]

[0010] According to the invention, there is provided a cover structure of an internal combustion engine, which includes: an engine body including a crankshaft, a camshaft, and a variable valve mechanism that changes a relative rotational phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft; and a cover member attached to an end portion of the engine body, wherein the cover member includes a cover portion covering the end portion of the engine body, a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion provided on both sides of the cover portion in the width direction and fixed to the end portion of the engine body, and an opening portion formed at a position offset to the first side wall portion side in the width direction of the cover portion in the cover portion and provided to accommodate a drive device,which drives the variable valve mechanism, wherein the cover member includes a projection portion extending from the cover portion toward the engine body and connected to the engine body, and a mounting attachment portion provided on the cover portion so as to be located on the side opposite to the opening portion in the width direction of the cover portion with respect to the projection portion, and provided so as to attach a mounting member provided on a vehicle body, the mounting portion being provided between the opening portion and the second side wall portion in the width direction of the cover portion,an upper end portion of the mounting attachment portion is provided above the cover portion with respect to a lower end portion of the opening portion, and wherein the projection portion is provided so as to overlap with the opening portion in the width direction of the cover portion and is connected to the mounting attachment portion. [Effect of the invention]

[0011] According to this invention, with the configuration described above, it is possible to improve the supporting rigidity of the drive device and prevent vibration of the drive device because it is possible to prevent vibration of the cover member due to vibration of the motor body. [Brief description of the characters] [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a front view of a powertrain including a cover structure of an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a right side view of a chain cover provided in the cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a left view of the chain cover provided in the cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention, and illustrates a timing chain, a variable valve mechanism, and a camshaft provided in an engine body. [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the chain cover provided in the cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention, and illustrates a state in which an electric actuator is disconnected. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a left view of the chain cover provided in the cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention, and illustrates a state in which the electric actuator is disconnected. [ Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an upper part of the chain cover provided in the cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of this invention. [Embodiment(s) of the invention]

[0012] A cover structure of an internal combustion engine according to embodiments of this invention includes: an engine body including a crankshaft, a camshaft, and a variable valve mechanism that changes a relative rotational phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft; and a cover member attached to an end portion of the engine body, the cover member including a cover portion covering the end portion of the engine body, a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion provided on both sides of the cover portion in the width direction and fixed to the end portion of the engine body, and an opening portion formed in the cover portion and provided such that a drive device that drives the variable valve mechanism is attached, the cover member including a protrusion portion.which extends from the cover portion toward the engine body and is connected to the engine body, and includes a mounting attachment portion provided on the cover portion so as to be located on the side opposite to the opening portion in the width direction of the cover portion with respect to the projection portion, and which is provided so as to attach a mounting member provided on a vehicle body, wherein an upper end portion of the mounting attachment portion is provided above the cover portion with respect to a lower end portion of the opening portion, and wherein the projection portion is provided so as to overlap with the opening portion in the width direction of the cover portion and is connected to the mounting attachment portion.

[0013] Accordingly, it is possible to improve the holding rigidity of the drive device and prevent vibration of the drive device because it is possible to prevent vibration of the cover member due to vibration of the motor body. [Embodiments]

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of a cover structure of an internal combustion engine according to this invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] The Fig. 1 to 6 are diagrams illustrating a cover structure of an internal combustion engine according to embodiments of this invention. Fig. 1 to 6, directions up, down, front, back, left and right are defined such that a vehicle width direction is a left and right direction and a vehicle height direction is an up and down direction, when a forward movement direction is a front direction and a backward movement direction is a rearward direction.

[0016] First, a configuration is described.

[0017] In Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 includes a left side member 2L and a right side member 2R. The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R extend in the front-rear direction, separated from each other in the width direction of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle width direction). The right side member 2R of this embodiment constitutes a vehicle body of this invention.

[0018] The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R are provided with a left anti-vibration mounting member 3L and a right anti-vibration mounting member 3R, respectively. The left anti-vibration mounting member 3L and the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R are connected to a drive train 4, and the drive train 4 is elastically supported by the left side member 2L and the right side member 2R through the left anti-vibration mounting member 3L and the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R.

[0019] The powertrain 4 includes an engine 5, which is an internal combustion engine, and a transmission 6. The engine 5 and the transmission 6 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction within the vehicle width direction with respect to the left side member 2L and the right side member 2R. The engine 5 converts thermal energy into mechanical energy, and the transmission 6 outputs the rotational speed of the engine 5 via shift gears.

[0020] The engine 5 includes an engine body 7, and the engine body 7 includes a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12, a cylinder head cover 13 and an oil pan 14.

[0021] A chain cover 18 (see the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) is attached to right end portions 11a and 12a of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12 and a right end portion (not shown) of the cylinder head cover 13, and the chain cover 18 covers a timing chain 8 provided at the right end portion of the engine body 7 from the right side.

[0022] The chain cover 18 of this embodiment constitutes a cover component of this invention, and the right end portions 11a and 12a of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12 in the vehicle width direction and the right end portion of the cylinder head cover 13 (not shown) constitute an end portion of an engine body of this invention. Hereinafter, the right end portions 11a and 12a of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12 in the vehicle width direction and the right end portion of the cylinder head cover 13 will be referred to as a right end portion of an engine body 7.

[0023] The cylinder block 11 is provided with a plurality of cylinders (not shown). A piston (not shown) is housed in the cylinder, and the piston moves in the up-and-down direction relative to the cylinder. The piston is connected to a crankshaft 15 by a connecting rod (not shown) (see Fig. 2), and the reciprocating movement of the piston is converted by the connecting rod into a rotary movement of the crankshaft 15.

[0024] In Fig. In FIG. 1, a rotational center axis of the crankshaft 15 is indicated by an imaginary line. The crankshaft 15 extends in the vehicle width direction, and the engine 5 is configured as a transverse engine.

[0025] The cylinder head 12 with a plurality of intake ports (not shown), a plurality of intake valves 9V (as in Fig. 1 by an imaginary line) that open and close the intake ports, a plurality of exhaust ports (not shown), and a plurality of exhaust valves (not shown) that open and close the exhaust ports. The intake port introduces air into the cylinder, and the exhaust port discharges exhaust gas formed by combustion inside the cylinder from the cylinder.

[0026] The intake valve 9V and the exhaust valve are provided at two positions of each cylinder, and the engine 5 of this embodiment is configured, for example, as a four-cylinder engine. Furthermore, the number of cylinders is not limited to four.

[0027] A dynamic valve chamber (not shown) is formed between the cylinder head 12 and the cylinder head cover 13, and an intake camshaft 9 and an exhaust camshaft 10 are accommodated in the dynamic valve chamber, as shown in Fig. 3 illustrates.

[0028] In Fig. 3, an end portion of the crankshaft 15 is provided with a crank gear 15A, and end portions of the intake camshaft 9 and the exhaust camshaft 10 are provided with an intake cam gear 9A and an exhaust cam gear 10A, respectively.

[0029] The timing chain 8 is wound on the crank gear 15A, the intake cam gear 9A, and the exhaust cam gear 10A, and the crankshaft 15, the intake camshaft 9, and the exhaust camshaft 10 are connected by the timing chain 8. Accordingly, the power of the crankshaft 15 is transmitted to the intake camshaft 9 and the exhaust camshaft 10 through the timing chain 8.

[0030] The intake camshaft 9 is mounted on the rear side of the exhaust camshaft 10, and the end portion of the intake camshaft 9 is provided with an intake-side variable valve mechanism 51. In Fig. 2, an electric actuator 52 is attached to the chain cover 18.

[0031] The intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 is driven by the electric actuator 52 so that the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft 9 with respect to the crankshaft 15 is changed toward the retard side and the advance side, and the opening and closing timing of the intake valve 9V is changed toward the advance side and the retard side.

[0032] The end portion of the exhaust camshaft 10 is provided with an exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53, and the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 includes an advance chamber and a retard chamber (not shown) into which oil is introduced.

[0033] When oil is introduced into the propulsion chamber, the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 changes the relative rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft 10 with respect to the crankshaft 15 toward the propulsion side and changes the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve toward the propulsion side.

[0034] When oil is introduced into the retard chamber, the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 changes the relative rotational phase of the exhaust camshaft 10 with respect to the crankshaft 15 toward the retard side and changes the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve toward the retard side.

[0035] The intake camshaft 9 and the exhaust camshaft 10 of this embodiment constitute a camshaft of this invention, and the electric actuator 52 constitutes a drive device of this invention. The intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 constitutes a variable valve mechanism of this invention.

[0036] An oil pan 14 holds oil for lubricating the crankshaft 15 or the piston or for operating the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53.

[0037] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the chain cover 18 includes a cover portion 19 and side wall portions 19A and 19B. The cover portion 19 covers the right end portion of the engine body 7. The side wall portions 19A and 19B are provided on both sides of the cover portion 19 in the width direction and extend from the cover portion 19 toward the engine body 7.

[0038] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the cover portion 19 is provided with an opening portion 19a, and the cover portion 19 is provided at the periphery of the opening portion 19a with an annular outer peripheral edge portion 19b (see Fig. 4). The electric actuator 52 is inserted into the opening portion 19a and is connected to the intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 through the opening portion 19a.

[0039] The electric actuator 52 is mounted on the outer peripheral edge portion 19b, being inserted into the opening portion 19a. That is, the outer peripheral edge portion 19b forms a mounting surface for the electric actuator 52.

[0040] In Fig. 4, a plurality of fixing portions 19c, 19d and 19e are provided on the periphery of the opening portion 19a. The electric actuator 52 is fixed by means of a screw 20B (see Fig. 2) is fixed to the fixing portions 19c, 19d and 19e so that it is fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion 19b.

[0041] That is, the electric actuator 52 is fixed to the cover portion 19 by means of the screw 20B.

[0042] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the chain cover 18 includes a cover portion 19 and side wall portions 19A and 19B. The cover portion 19 covers the right end portion of the engine body 7. The side wall portions 19A and 19B are provided on both sides of the cover portion 19 in the width direction and extend from the cover portion 19 toward the engine body 7.

[0043] A front end of the chain cover 18 in the direction in which the side wall portions 19A and 19B extend is fixed to the right end portion of the engine body 7 by means of a bolt 20A. The side wall portion 19A of this embodiment forms a first side wall portion of this invention, and the side wall portion 19B forms a second side wall portion of this invention.

[0044] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, a mounting attachment portion 22 is provided at an upper portion of a front surface 19f of the cover portion 19. In Fig. 1, the mounting attachment portion 22 bulges from the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 toward the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R, and an arm portion 3B of the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R is attached to an upper surface of the mounting attachment portion 22. Here, the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 is a surface on the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R side, and a rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 is a surface on the engine body 7 side.

[0045] In Fig. 1, an elastic body such as a rubber (not shown) is housed in the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R, and the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R includes a mounting member body 3A attached to the right side member 2R, and the arm portion 3B extending from the mounting member body 3A toward the mounting attachment portion 22 and fixed to the mounting attachment portion 22 by means of the screw 20B.

[0046] The engine 5 is elastically supported by the right side member 2R through the right anti-vibration mounting element 3R, and is suspended by the right anti-vibration mounting element 3R.

[0047] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a lower portion of the chain cover 18 is provided with an oil pump unit 23. The oil pump unit 23 includes a curved portion 33 (see Fig. 1) which bulges from the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 toward the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R, and includes a pump housing 23A attached to the rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 so as to join the bulged portion 33.

[0048] The oil pump unit 23 includes an oil pump 23B (which is located in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is indicated by an imaginary line) which is rotatably supported by the curved portion 33 and the pump housing 23A. A connecting surface between the pump housing 23A and the curved portion 33 is provided with a suction port and a discharge port (not shown).

[0049] The oil pump 23B includes an inner rotor (not shown) attached to the crankshaft 15 and rotated by the crankshaft 15, and an outer rotor (not shown) arranged on the outside in the radial direction so as to surround the inner rotor.

[0050] The oil pump 23B is configured, for example, as a trochoid oil pump, and an operating chamber (not shown) in which oil is accommodated is formed between an outer gear and an inner gear when an inner gear formed on the outer rotor is in contact with an outer gear formed on the inner rotor.

[0051] In the oil pump 23B, the power of the crankshaft 15 is transmitted to the inner rotor, causing the inner rotor and the outer rotor to rotate in one direction. As the volume of the operating chamber continuously increases and decreases, the oil stored in the oil pan 14 is sucked in through the suction port, and the sucked oil is discharged through the discharge port.

[0052] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, oil passage portions 24 and 25 are integrally formed in the chain cover 18. The oil passage portion 24 bulges from the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 toward the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R, bulges from the rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 toward the engine body 7, and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0053] As in Fig. 5, an oil passage 24a is formed inside the oil passage portion 24, and the oil discharged from the discharge port of the oil pump unit 23 is introduced into the oil passage 24a.

[0054] The oil passage portion 24 extends upward from the oil pump unit 23 and is connected to the lower portion of the mounting attachment portion 22. The oil passage portion 24 extends along the side wall portion 19B at a position adjacent to the side wall portion 19B and is offset to the front side with respect to the oil pump unit 23 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0055] In Fig. 5, the oil passage portion 25 bulges from the rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 toward the engine body 7 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The oil passage portion 25 is connected to the upper end of the oil passage portion 24 and extends from the upper end of the oil passage portion 24 in the width direction of the cover portion 19 toward the side wall portions 19A and 19B.

[0056] Specifically, the oil passage portion 25 extends from a projection portion 30, to be described later, along the mounting attachment portion 22 in the width direction of the cover portion 19, a front end portion 25f is connected to the side wall portion 19B through a sensor projection portion 31, to be described later, and an upper end portion 25u is connected to the lower end portion of the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0057] The oil passage portion 25 extends from the protrusion portion 30 in the width direction of the cover portion 19 on the lower side of the opening portion 19a, and a rear end portion 25r is connected to the side wall portion 19A.

[0058] That is, the oil passage portion 25 of this embodiment extends in the width direction of the cover portion 19 and connects the side wall portion 19A and the side wall portion 19B. The front end portion 25f of this embodiment forms an end portion of the oil passage portion of this invention in the direction in which it extends.

[0059] An oil passage 25a is formed inside the oil passage portion 25, and the oil passage 25a communicates with the oil passage 24a. Accordingly, the oil discharged from the discharge port of the oil pump unit 23 is supplied to the oil passage 25a through the oil passage 24a. The oil passage portion 25 of this embodiment constitutes an oil passage portion of this invention.

[0060] The rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 is provided with the protrusion portion 30. The protrusion portion 30 protrudes from the cover portion 19 toward the engine body 7, and a front end in the protruding direction is connected to the cylinder head 12.

[0061] The projection portion 30 is provided with a fixing projection portion 30A including a through hole 30a through which a screw 20C is inserted (see Fig. 2). A portion in the vicinity of the opening portion 19a in the chain cover 18 is fixed to the cylinder head 12 in such a manner that the bolt 20C is inserted through the through hole 30a, and the bolt 20C is fixed to a screw groove (not shown) of the cylinder head 12.

[0062] The projection portion 30 is provided with an oil introduction projection portion 30B including an oil introduction passage 30b. The oil introduction passage 30b communicates with the oil passage 25a, and the oil flowing through the oil passage 25a is introduced from the oil introduction passage 30b into an oil passage (not shown) formed in the engine body 7. The oil introduced from the oil introduction passage 30b into the oil passage of the engine body 7 is supplied to a part of the engine body 7 to be lubricated.

[0063] The projection portion 30 is provided with control projection portions 30C and 30D, which include discharge oil passages 30c and 30d. The discharge oil passage 30c communicates with a cylinder portion 27, and the oil supplied to the cylinder portion 27 from the oil passage 25a is supplied to the propulsion chamber of the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 from the discharge oil passage 30c.

[0064] The outlet oil passage 30d communicates with the cylinder portion 27, and the oil supplied to the cylinder portion 27 from the oil passage 25a is supplied to the retard chamber of the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 from the outlet oil passage 30d.

[0065] The control projection portions 30C and 30D are located in the up and down direction between the fixing projection portion 30A and the oil introduction projection portion 30B and are connected to the fixing projection portion 30A and the oil introduction projection portion 30B.

[0066] The control projection portion 30D protrudes toward the side wall portion 19A with respect to an outer edge portion 30r of the fixing projection portion 30A. The through hole 30a and the oil introduction passage 30b are formed in a cylindrical shape, and the discharge oil passages 30c and 30d are formed in an elongated shape in the inclination direction so as to have a diameter larger than the diameters of the through hole 30a and the oil introduction passage 30b.

[0067] In this way, the projection portion 30 of this embodiment includes the fixing projection portion 30A, the oil introduction projection portion 30B, and the control projection portions 30C and 30D.

[0068] The rear surface 19r of the cover portion 19 is provided with ribs 41 and 42. The rib 41 is provided in the width direction of the cover portion 19 between the opening portion 19a and the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0069] The rib 41 extends in the longitudinal direction (the up-and-down direction) from the protrusion portion 30 and is connected to an upper wall portion 19u of the cover portion 19. That is, the rib 41 connects the fastening protrusion portion 30A of the protrusion portion 30 and the upper wall portion 19u of the cover portion 19. The upper wall portion 19u of this embodiment forms a third side wall portion of this invention.

[0070] The mounting attachment portion 22 is connected to the protrusion portion 30. Accordingly, the mounting attachment portion 22 is connected to the rib 41 through the protrusion portion 30.

[0071] The rib 42 is located below the opening portion 19a and above the oil passage portion 25 and extends from the protrusion portion 30 in the width direction of the cover portion 19. In the rib 42, a front end portion 42f is connected to the fixing protrusion portion 30A, and a rear end portion 42r is connected to the side wall portion 19A. That is, the rib 42 connects the protrusion portion 30 and the side wall portion 19A. Furthermore, the width direction of the cover portion 19 further includes a lateral direction and a direction inclined with respect to the lateral direction.

[0072] The opening portion 19a is formed in the rear upper portion of the cover portion 19 and is surrounded by the projection portion 30, the rib 41, the upper wall portion 19u, the side wall portion 19A, and the rib 42. The rib 41 of this embodiment constitutes a first reinforcement portion of this invention, and the rib 42 constitutes a second reinforcement portion of this invention.

[0073] The outer peripheral edge portion 19b of the opening portion 19a is connected to the ribs 41 and 42. The fixing portion 19c is connected to the rib 41, and the fixing portion 19e is connected to the rib 42.

[0074] The mounting attachment portion 22 is located on the side opposite to the opening portion 19a in the width direction of the cover portion 19 with respect to the projection portion 30, and the upper end portion 22u of the mounting attachment portion 22 is provided above the cover portion 19 with respect to a lower end portion 19g of the opening portion 19a. The projection portion 30 is provided so as to overlap with the opening portion 19a in the width direction of the cover portion 19 and is connected to the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0075] In Fig. 4, the cylinder portion 27 is provided in the upper portion of the cover portion 19. The cylinder portion 27 bulges from the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 toward the side opposite the engine body 7, that is, the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R side.

[0076] The mounting attachment portion 22 includes a longitudinal side wall 22A located on the side of the opening portion 19a and extending in the longitudinal direction, includes an upper wall 22B extending in the width direction of the cover portion 19, includes a lower wall 22C located below the upper wall 22B and extending in the width direction of the cover portion 19, and includes a longitudinal side wall 22D located on the side of the side wall portion 19B and extending in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal side walls 22A and 22D are connected to the upper wall 22B and the lower wall 22C.

[0077] Inside the mounting attachment portion 22, a space 22s is provided which is surrounded by the longitudinal side wall 22A, the upper wall 22B, the lower wall 22C and the longitudinal side wall 22D, and the space 22s is provided with a horizontal rib 43.

[0078] The horizontal rib 43 extends in the width direction of the cover portion 19 and connects the side wall portion 19B and the protrusion portion 30. The horizontal rib 43 of this embodiment forms a third reinforcement portion of this invention. Here, the upper end portion of the upper wall 22B is the upper end portion 22u of the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0079] The space 22s is provided with a vertical rib 44, and the vertical rib 44 connects the upper wall 22B and the lower wall 22C. The horizontal rib 43 is provided so as to intersect with the vertical rib 44.

[0080] In Fig. 6, a part of the longitudinal side wall 22A at the lower side of the horizontal rib 43 is formed by the outer peripheral wall of the protrusion portion 30. In other words, a part of the protrusion portion 30 is formed by the longitudinal side wall 22A.

[0081] In Fig. 4, the cylinder portion 27 is connected to the mounting attachment portion 22 at the lower side of the mounting attachment portion 22. A rear end portion 27r of the cylinder portion 27 is located below the opening portion 19a and overlaps with the opening portion 19a in the width direction of the cover portion 19. A front end portion 27f of this embodiment forms one end portion of the cylinder portion of this invention in the direction in which it extends, and the rear end portion 27r forms the other end portion of the cylinder portion of this invention in the direction in which it extends.

[0082] A hydraulic control valve 28 is inserted into the cylinder portion 27. The hydraulic control valve 28 includes a spool valve (not shown) inserted into the cylinder portion 27, and a control unit 28A, such as an electromagnetic solenoid, which protrudes outwardly from the cylinder portion 27 and drives the spool valve.

[0083] When the spool valve is driven by the control unit 28A, the hydraulic control valve 28 supplies the oil supplied to the cylinder portion 27 through the oil passages 24a and 25a to the advance chamber or the retard chamber of the exhaust-side variable valve mechanism 53 through the exhaust oil passage 30c or the exhaust oil passage 30d. That is, the hydraulic control valve 28 switches an oil supply path between a path in which the oil flows from the cylinder portion 27 to the advance chamber and a path in which the oil flows from the cylinder portion 27 to the retard chamber.

[0084] The oil passage portion 25 extends in the direction in which the rib 42 extends, that is, in the width direction of the cover portion 19, and connects the oil introduction protrusion portion 30B and the side wall portion 19A. As shown in Fig. 4 by an imaginary line, the cylinder portion 27 extends in the direction in which the rib 42 extends.

[0085] In Fig. 5, the front end portion 42f of the rib 42 is connected to the fixing protrusion portion 30A and the control protrusion portion 30D. The fixing protrusion portion 30A is provided to penetrate between the rib 42 and the oil passage portion 25, and is connected to the rib 42 and the oil passage portion 25. That is, an upper surface of the control protrusion portion 30D is connected to the rib 42, and a lower surface of the control protrusion portion 30D is connected to the oil passage portion 25.

[0086] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, a curved portion 29 is provided on the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19. The curved portion 29 curves from the front surface 19f of the cover portion 19 toward the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R (see Fig. 1) and is connected to the lower portion of the cylinder portion 27. The curved portion 29 extends in the width direction of the chain cover 18 and connects the oil passage portion 24 and the side wall portion 19A.

[0087] The chain cover 18 is provided with a sensor protrusion portion 31. A sensor 32 is attached to the sensor protrusion portion 31, and the sensor protrusion portion 31 holds the sensor 32. The sensor 32 detects a condition of the oil flowing through the oil passages 24a and 25a, for example, an oil temperature, an oil pressure, or an oil temperature and an oil pressure.

[0088] As described above, the chain cover 18 according to the cover structure of this embodiment includes the mount attachment portion 22 provided on the cover portion 19 so as to be located on the side opposite to the opening portion 19a in the width direction of the cover portion 19 with respect to the projection portion 30, and to which the right anti-vibration mounting member 3R provided on the right side member 2R is attached.

[0089] The upper end portion 22u of the mounting attachment portion 22 is provided above the cover portion 19 with respect to the lower end portion 19g of the opening portion 19a, and the protrusion portion 30 is provided in the width direction of the cover portion 19 so as to overlap with the opening portion 19a and is connected to the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0090] Accordingly, the mounting attachment portion 22, which supports the engine body 7 by means of the right side member 2R and which has high rigidity, is connected to the projection portion 30, which has high rigidity, and the mounting attachment portion 22 and the projection portion 30 can be brought close to the opening portion 19a.

[0091] For this reason, it is possible to prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and to improve the holding rigidity of the electric actuator 52 because it is possible to increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion to which the electric actuator 52 corresponding to a heavy object is attached.

[0092] In this way, it is possible to prevent vibration of the electric actuator 52 and to keep the electric actuator 52 stable by means of the chain cover 18. As a result, it is possible to stably drive the intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 by means of the electric actuator 52 and improve the reliability when the intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 is operated.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the cover portion 19 is provided with the rib 41. The rib 41 is provided in the width direction of the cover portion 19 between the opening portion 19a and the mounting attachment portion 22, and connects the protrusion portion 30 and the horizontal rib 43. Moreover, the mounting attachment portion 22 is connected to the rib 41 through the protrusion portion 30.

[0094] Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a by providing the rib 41 with high rigidity in addition to the mounting attachment portion 22 and the protrusion portion 30, each with high rigidity. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and more effectively improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0095] In this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the electric actuator 52 and to more stably support the electric actuator 52 by means of the chain cover 18. As a result, it is possible to more stably drive the intake-side variable valve mechanism 51 by means of the electric actuator 52 and more effectively improve the reliability when operating the intake-side variable valve mechanism 51.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the cover portion 19 is provided with the rib 42. The rib 42 extends from the protrusion portion 30 in the width direction of the cover portion 18 below the opening portion 19a and is connected to the side wall portion 19A.

[0097] Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a by providing the rib 42 with high rigidity in addition to the mounting attachment portion 22 and the protrusion portion 30, each with high rigidity. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the motor body 7 and more effectively improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 2.

[0098] In this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the electric actuator 52 and to keep the electric actuator 52 more stable by means of the chain cover 18.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, an outer peripheral edge portion 19b forming a mounting surface for the electric actuator 52 is provided in the cover portion 19 at the periphery of the opening portion 19a, and the outer peripheral edge portion 19b is connected to the rib 41.

[0100] Accordingly, it is possible to reinforce the outer peripheral edge portion 19b with the rib 41 having high rigidity and increase the rigidity of the outer peripheral edge portion 19b. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and further improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0101] As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the electric actuator 52 and to keep the electric actuator 52 more stable by means of the chain cover 18.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, since the outer peripheral edge portion 19b is connected to the rib 42, it is possible to reinforce the outer peripheral edge portion 19b with the rib 42 having high rigidity and further increase the rigidity of the outer peripheral edge portion 19b. For this reason, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and further improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the cover portion 19 includes the cylinder portion 27 which bulges from the cover portion 19 in a direction opposite to the engine body 7 and into which the hydraulic control valve 28 which supplies oil to the engine body 7 is inserted.

[0104] Furthermore, the front end portion 27f of the cylinder portion 27 is connected to the mounting attachment portion 22, and the rear end portion 27r of the cylinder portion 27 is located below the opening portion 19a and overlaps with the opening portion 19a in the width direction of the cover portion 19.

[0105] Accordingly, it is possible to reinforce the chain cover 18 by the cylinder portion 27 and the mounting attachment portion 22 by connecting the cylinder portion 27 and the mounting attachment portion 22 each having high rigidity, and further increase the rigidity of the chain cover 18.

[0106] Furthermore, since the rigidity of the cover portion 19 below the opening portion 19a can be increased by the cylinder portion 27, it is possible to further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and further improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0107] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the mounting attachment portion 22 bulges from the cover portion 19 in a direction opposite to the engine body 7, and the horizontal rib 43 is provided in the space 22s inside the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0108] In addition, the horizontal rib 43 extends in the width direction of the cover portion 19 and connects the side wall portion 19B and the projection portion 30.

[0109] Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the mounting attachment portion 22 by reinforcing the mounting attachment portion 22 by the horizontal rib 43 having high rigidity and to prevent deformation of the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0110] For this reason, it is possible to further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a by the mounting attachment portion 22 and the protrusion portion 30 having higher rigidity.

[0111] As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and to more effectively improve the holding rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the cover portion 19 is provided with the cylindrical oil passage portion 25 including the oil passage 25a through which oil flows.

[0113] The oil passage portion 25 extends from the protrusion portion 30 in the width direction of the cover portion 19 along the mounting attachment portion 22, the front end portion 25f is connected to the side wall portion 19B, and the upper end portion is connected to the lower end portion of the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0114] Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the mounting attachment portion 22 by reinforcing the mounting attachment portion 22 with the oil passage portion 25 having high rigidity and to prevent deformation of the mounting attachment portion 22.

[0115] For this reason, it is possible to further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a by providing the mounting attachment portion 22 and the protrusion portion 30 with higher rigidity. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and more effectively improve the support rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0116] Furthermore, according to the cover structure of this embodiment, the mounting attachment portion 22 includes the longitudinal side wall 22A located on the side of the opening portion 19a and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a part of the longitudinal side wall 22A forms the outer peripheral wall of the protruding portion 30.

[0117] Accordingly, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the longitudinal side wall 22A of the mounting attachment portion 22 by the protrusion portion 30. For this reason, it is possible to further improve the rigidity of the mounting attachment portion 22 and further increase the rigidity at the periphery of the opening portion 19a by the mounting attachment portion 22 and the protrusion portion 30 having higher rigidity.

[0118] As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent vibration of the chain cover 18 due to vibration of the engine body 7 and to more effectively improve the holding rigidity of the electric actuator 52.

[0119] Although embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. The present invention is intended to encompass any and all such modifications and equivalents. (DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS)

[0120] 1 ... vehicle, 2R ... right side member (vehicle body), 5 ... engine (internal combustion engine), 7 ... engine body, 9 ... intake camshaft (camshaft), 10 ... exhaust camshaft (camshaft), 11a, 12a ... right end portion (end portion of the engine body), 15 ... crankshaft, 18 ... chain cover (cover member), 19 ... cover portion, 19A ... side wall portion (first side wall portion), 19B ... side wall portion (second side wall portion), 19a ... opening portion, 19b ... outer peripheral edge portion, 19g ... lower end portion (lower end portion of the opening portion), 19u ... upper wall portion (third side wall portion), 22 .. assembly attachment portion, 22u ... upper end portion (upper end portion of the assembly attachment portion), 22s ... space (space inside of the mounting attachment section), 25 ... oil passage section, 25a ... oil passage, 25f ...front end portion (end portion of the oil passage portion in the direction in which it extends), 27 ... cylinder portion, 27f ... front end portion (one end portion of the cylinder portion in the direction in which it extends), 27r ... rear end portion (the other end portion of the cylinder portion in the direction in which it extends), 28 ... hydraulic control valve, 30 ... projection portion, 41 ... rib (first reinforcement portion), 42 ... rib (second reinforcement portion), 51 ... intake-side variable valve mechanism (variable valve mechanism), 43 ... horizontal rib (third reinforcement portion), 52 ... electric actuator (drive device).

Claims

[1] Cover structure of an internal combustion engine (5), comprising: an engine body (7) including a crankshaft (15), a camshaft (9, 10) and a variable valve mechanism (51) that changes a relative rotational phase of the camshaft (9, 10) with respect to the crankshaft (15); and a cover member (18) attached to an end portion (11a, 12a) of the motor body (7), wherein the cover member (18) includes a cover portion (19) covering the end portion (11a, 12a) of the engine body (7), a first side wall portion (19A) and a second side wall portion (19B) provided on both sides of the cover portion (19) in the width direction and fixed to the end portion (11a, 12a) of the engine body (7), and an opening portion (19a), wherein the cover structure characterized by is that the opening portion (19a) is formed at a position offset to the side of the first side wall portion (19A) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) in the cover portion (19) and is provided to accommodate a drive device (52) that drives the variable valve mechanism (51), wherein the cover member (18) includes a projection portion (30) extending from the cover portion (19) toward the engine body (7) and connected to the engine body (7), and a mounting attachment portion (22) provided on the cover portion (19) so as to be located on the side opposite to the opening portion (19a) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) and provided so as to attach a mounting member (3R) provided in a vehicle body (2R), wherein the mounting attachment portion (22) is provided between the opening portion (19a) and the second side wall portion (19B) in the width direction of the cover portion (19), wherein an upper end portion (22u) of the mounting attachment portion (22) is provided above the cover portion (19) with respect to a lower end portion (19g) of the opening portion (19a), and wherein the projection portion (30) is provided so as to overlap with the opening portion (19a) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) and is connected to the mounting attachment portion (22). [2] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion (19) includes a third side wall portion (19u) provided at a position different from the positions of the first side wall portion (19A) and the second side wall portion (19B), wherein the cover portion (19) is provided with a first reinforcing portion, wherein the first reinforcing portion (41) is provided in the width direction of the cover portion (19) between the opening portion (19a) and the mounting attachment portion (22) and connects the projection portion (30) and the third side wall portion (19u), and wherein the mounting attachment portion (22) is connected to the first reinforcement portion (41) by the projection portion (30). [3] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover portion (19) is provided with a second reinforcing portion (42), and wherein the second reinforcing portion (42) extends from the protruding portion (30) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) below the opening portion (19a) and is connected to the first side wall portion (19A). [4] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to claim 2, wherein the cover portion (19) is provided on the periphery of the opening portion (19a) with an outer peripheral edge portion (19b) forming a mounting surface for the drive device (52), and wherein the outer peripheral edge portion (19b) is connected to the first reinforcing portion (41). [5] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion (19) is provided on the periphery of the opening portion (19a) with an outer peripheral edge portion (19b) forming a mounting surface for the drive device (52), and wherein the outer peripheral edge portion (19b) is connected to the second reinforcing portion (42). [6] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover portion (19) includes a cylinder portion (27) which bulges from the cover portion (19) in a direction opposite to the engine body (7) and is provided such that a hydraulic control valve (28) which supplies oil to the engine body (7) is inserted therein, wherein said one end portion (27f) of said cylinder portion (27) is connected to said mounting attachment portion (22) in the direction in which it extends, and wherein the other end portion (27r) of the cylinder portion (27) is located below the opening portion (19a) in the direction in which it extends and overlaps with the opening portion (19a) in the width direction of the cover portion (19). [7] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mounting attachment portion (22) curves from the cover portion (19) in a direction opposite to the motor body (7), wherein a space (22s) is provided inside the mounting attachment portion (22) with a third reinforcing portion (43), and wherein the third reinforcing portion (43) extends in the width direction of the cover portion (19) and connects the second side wall portion (19B) and the projection portion (30). [8] Cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover portion (19) is provided with a cylindrical oil passage portion (25) including an oil passage (25a) provided so that oil flows therethrough, and wherein the oil passage portion (25) extends from the protrusion portion (30) in the width direction of the cover portion (19) along the mounting attachment portion (22), an end portion (25f) in the direction in which it extends is connected to the second side wall portion (19B), and an upper end portion (25u) is connected to a lower end portion of the mounting attachment portion (22). [9] The cover structure of the internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mounting attachment portion (22) includes a longitudinal side wall (22A) located on the side of the opening portion (19a) and extending in a longitudinal direction, and a part of the longitudinal side wall (22A) is formed by an outer peripheral wall of the protruding portion (30).

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