MOUNTING STRUCTURE OF A CLAMPING UNIT FOR A VEHICLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

[Object] One object consists of providing a mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine, which is capable of increasing the mounting strength of the clamping unit and reducing the vibration introduced by the clamping unit into the cover element. [Solution] A motor (7) comprises a motor-generator (16) located on one side of a front side section (11a) of a cylinder block (11) and receiving power from a motor body (9) via a drive belt (41A), a water pump (17) attached to an upper projecting section (11A) and a lower projecting section (11B) and receiving power from the motor body (9) via a drive belt (41B), and a tensioning unit (43) that adjusts the tension of the drive belt (41A). The tensioning unit (43) comprises mounting sections (44B) and (44C) attached to a chain cover (21), and the mounting section (44B) is located between the upper projecting section (11A) and the lower projecting section (11B) in a vertical direction of the motor (7).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine. [Background of the invention]

[0002] A vehicle such as a motor vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary unit to which power is transferred from a crankshaft via an auxiliary unit drive belt, and a constant tension is applied to the auxiliary unit drive belt by means of a tensioning unit.

[0003] A known mounting structure for a tensioning unit is the tensioning unit for an auxiliary drive belt described in publication JP 2016 - 156 430 A. The tensioning unit comprises a roller arm pivotally supported on an engine block, a rotatable tensioning roller supported in an eccentric position relative to a pivot point of the roller arm, and an automatic hydraulic belt tensioner connected to one end of the roller arm and pivotable about the connecting section.

[0004] German patent application DE 101 24 857 A1 discloses a belt tensioning device for an internal combustion engine comprising an arm element, a belt pressure element attached to the arm element (for example, designed as a roller), a bearing device for pivotally mounting the arm element, and a torsion device for applying a torque to the arm element to press the belt pressure element against the belt. The bearing device and the torsion device are housed in a cup-shaped casing, and the casing is inserted into a receiving opening formed in a chain case wall.

[0005] German patent application DE 691 02 753 T2 discloses an auxiliary drive clamp for a motor, comprising: a cover adapted to enclose a part of the motor, a hub carrier projecting from an outer surface of the cover, and a clamping arm and a wheel unit mortised to the hub carrier, wherein the hub carrier has a generally annular wall integrally formed with the cover and extending from the outer surface of the cover, the wall having an end surface in bearing contact with the clamping arm. [Summary of the invention][Purpose of the invention]

[0006] In the mounting structure described in JP 2016 - 156 430 A, the engine block may have a chain housing attached to it on the side of the auxiliary drive belt, which covers a timing chain, as well as a tensioning unit attached to the chain housing.

[0007] Since the tensioning unit absorbs tension from the auxiliary drive belt, the chain housing to which the roller arm is attached must have sufficient strength in this case.

[0008] However, since the chain housing is thin, it is difficult to provide a chain housing with sufficient strength to accommodate the tensioning unit, so there is a possibility that vibrations may occur in the tensioning unit.

[0009] The present invention was developed with regard to the problems mentioned above, and an object of the invention is to provide a mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine which is capable of increasing the mounting strength of the clamping unit and reducing the vibration introduced by the clamping unit into the cover element. [Means of solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is a mounting structure for a clamping unit, wherein the clamping unit, configured for mounting on a vehicle internal combustion engine, comprises: an engine body comprising a plurality of cylinders arranged in a row, a first side section, a second side section opposite the first side section, and a third side section connecting an end section positioned on an extension line of the first side section to an end section positioned on an extension line of the second side section; a cover element covering the third side section and comprising a first rim attached to the third side section on the side of the first side section, and a second rim attached to the third side section on the side of the second side section; a first auxiliary assembly,which is arranged on the side of the first side section and to which power is transmitted from the engine body via a drive belt; and a second auxiliary unit provided on the second side section, wherein the tensioning unit sets the tension of the drive belt, the mounting structure of the tensioning unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine being characterized in that the engine body has an upper projecting section extending outwards from the second side section, and a lower projecting section provided on the second side section, located below the upper projecting section and extending outwards from the second side section, the second auxiliary unit comprising a water pump, the water pump comprising a water pump body and an auxiliary unit-side coolant passage section that directs coolant from the water pump body to the engine body,wherein the water pump is bolted to the upper projecting section and the lower projecting section, and the auxiliary coolant passage section is bolted to the second side section, wherein the clamping unit has mounting sections configured for attachment to the cover element, and wherein one of the mounting sections is attached to the second edge of the cover element by a bolt arranged between the upper projecting section and the lower projecting section in a vertical direction of the vehicle internal combustion engine. [Effect of the invention]

[0011] According to the present invention described above, it is possible to increase the mounting strength of the clamping unit and to reduce the vibration introduced into the cover element by the clamping unit. [Brief description of the characters] [ Fig. 1] Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a front part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle internal combustion engine according to an example of the present invention. [ Fig. 2] Fig. Figure 2 is a right side view of the vehicle internal combustion engine according to the example of the present invention. [ Fig. 3] Fig. Figure 3 is a rear view of the vehicle internal combustion engine according to the example of the present invention. [ Fig. 4] Fig. Figure 4 is a rear view of the vehicle internal combustion engine according to the example of the present invention, showing a state in which a water pump has been removed. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows VV in Fig. 2. [ Fig. 6] Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows VI-VI in Fig. 2. [ Fig. 7] Fig. Figure 7 is a right side view of the vehicle internal combustion engine according to the example of the present invention, showing a direction in which a load of the tensioning unit is exerted on a chain cover. [Embodiments of the invention]

[0012] A mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention is a mounting structure for a clamping unit, wherein the clamping unit configured for mounting on a vehicle internal combustion engine comprises: an engine body comprising a first side section, a second side section opposite the first side section, an upper projecting section provided on the second side section and projecting outwards from the second side section, a lower projecting section provided on the second side section, located below the upper projecting section and projecting outwards from the second side section, and a third side section connecting an end section positioned on a line of extension of the first side section with an end section positioned on a line of extension of the second side section.comprising; a cover element covering the third side section and comprising a first rim attached to the third side section on the side of the first side section, and a second rim attached to the third side section on the side of the second side section; a first auxiliary assembly located on the side of the first side section to which power is transmitted from the engine body via a drive belt; and a second auxiliary assembly attached to the upper projecting section and the lower projecting section to which power is transmitted via the drive belt, the tensioning unit establishing tension on the drive belt, the tensioning unit having an attachment section configured for attachment to the cover element,and the mounting section is arranged between the upper projecting section and the lower projecting section in a vertical direction of the vehicle's internal combustion engine.

[0013] This allows for an increase in the mounting strength of the clamping unit and a reduction in the vibration introduced into the cover element by the clamping unit. [Examples]

[0014] In the following, an example of a mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine according to the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] The Fig. Figures 1 to 7 represent a mounting structure for a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine of an example according to the present invention. Fig. 1 to Fig. The directions 7 are indicated: Up, Down, Front, Back, Left, and Right. The vehicle's width is indicated by Left / Right, its height by Up / Down, its forward direction by Front, and its reverse direction by Back.

[0016] First, the configuration is described.

[0017] In Fig. The vehicle 1 comprises a body 2. The body 2 is divided by a dashboard into an engine compartment 4 and a vehicle interior 5, which is located behind the engine compartment 4 and in which a vehicle occupant sits.

[0018] In the engine compartment 4 a drive train 6 is arranged and the drive train 6 is mounted on the body 2 by means of a bearing device not shown.

[0019] The powertrain 6 comprises an engine 7 as a vehicle internal combustion engine and a transmission 8. The engine 7 and the transmission 8 are arranged side by side in the vehicle's width direction (left / right direction). The engine 7 converts thermal energy into mechanical energy, and the transmission 8 converts the rotational speed of the engine 7 and outputs it.

[0020] In Fig. 3 the engine 7 comprises an engine body 9 and the engine body 9 comprises a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12, a cylinder head cover 13 and an oil pan 14.

[0021] In Fig. 5. The cylinder block 11 comprises a plurality of cylinders 11s. The cylinders 11s are arranged in a row in the direction of the vehicle's width. A piston (not shown) is housed in each of the cylinders 11s, and the piston moves up and down within the cylinder 11s.

[0022] The pistons are connected to the crankshaft 15 via a connecting rod (not shown) (see Fig. 2) connected and the back-and-forth movements of the pistons are converted by the connecting rods into the rotary motion of the crankshaft 15.

[0023] The crankshaft 15 extends in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s and the engine 7 is a transverse engine.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the cylinder head 12 comprises a plurality of intake ports 12A, a plurality of intake valves (not shown) that open and close the intake ports 12A, a plurality of exhaust ports 12B and a plurality of exhaust valves (not shown) that open and close the exhaust ports 12B.

[0025] The intake ports 12A supply air to the cylinders 11s, and the exhaust ports 12B expel the exhaust gases produced by combustion in the cylinders 11s. The engine 7 of this example is a four-cylinder engine. It should be noted that the number of cylinders is not limited to four.

[0026] A valve actuation chamber (not shown) is formed between the cylinder head 12 and the cylinder head cover 13, and an exhaust camshaft and intake camshaft (not shown) are housed in the valve actuation chamber. The timing chain connects the crankshaft 15 to the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft, and the power of the crankshaft 15 is transmitted to the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft via the timing chain.

[0027] The oil pan 14 stores oil for the lubrication of the crankshaft 15, the piston and the like.

[0028] In Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a motor generator 16 is arranged on the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11 and the front side section 12a of the cylinder head 12 and the motor generator 16 is attached to the cylinder head 12 with a bolt 18A and to the cylinder block 11 with a bolt 18B (see Fig. 2).

[0029] The front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11 and the front side section 12a of the cylinder head 12 constitute a first side section of the engine body of the present invention.

[0030] In Fig. 2. An upper projecting section 11A and a lower projecting section 11B are arranged on the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 (see Fig. 4), which is opposite the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11 and the front side section 12a of the cylinder head 12.

[0031] The upper projecting section 11A extends outwards from the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11, that is, in a direction leading away from the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11. An upper surface 11u of the upper projecting section 11A is located on the extension line L of the connecting surface 9M (see Fig. 2) of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12.

[0032] The lower projecting section 11B is located below the upper projecting section 11A and extends outwards from the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11, that is, in a direction leading away from the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11. The rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 and the rear side section 12b of the cylinder head 12 constitute a second side section of the engine body of the present invention.

[0033] A water pump 17 is arranged on the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 and the rear side section 12b of the cylinder head 12. Fig. 3. The water pump 17 is attached to the upper projecting section 11A by a bolt 18C and to the lower projecting section 11B by a bolt 18D. The water pump 17 is also attached to the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 by a bolt 18E.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a compressor 20 is arranged on the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11 below the motor generator 16 and the compressor 20 is attached to the cylinder block 11 by a bolt not shown.

[0035] In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a right side section 11c of the cylinder block 11 and a right side section 12c of the cylinder head 12 are each provided between the right end sections 11r and 12r, which are positioned on extension lines of the front side sections 11a and 12a of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12, and the right end sections 11m and 12m, which are positioned on extension lines of the rear side sections 11b and 12b.

[0036] The right side section 11c of the cylinder block 11 and the right side section 12c of the cylinder head 12 constitute a third side section of the cylinder head 12 of the present invention. The right end sections 11t and 12r, positioned on extension lines of the front side sections 11a and 12a, constitute an end section of the present invention positioned on an extension line of the first side section. The right end sections 11m and 12m of the rear side sections 11b and 12b constitute an end section of the present invention positioned on an extension line of the second side section.

[0037] In Fig. 3 A chain cover 21 is attached to the right side sections 11c and 12c of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12. In Fig. 2 The chain cover 21 comprises a first edge 21A, which is fastened by a bolt 18F to the right side sections 11c and 12c on the side of the front side sections 11a and 12a, and a second edge 21B, which is fastened by a bolt 18G to the right side sections 11a and 12a on the side of the rear side sections 11b and 12b. The chain cover 21 of the present example forms a cover element of the present invention.

[0038] A crankshaft pulley 15a is located on an end section of the crankshaft 15 on the right side of the chain cover 21 (the viewer's side towards the side surface). Fig. 2) provided. The motor generator 16 is equipped with a generator pulley 16a and the generator pulley 16a is connected to a rotary shaft 16b of the motor generator 16.

[0039] The water pump 17 is equipped with a pump pulley 17a, and the pump pulley 17a is connected to a rotary shaft 17b of the water pump 17. The motor generator 16 of the present example represents a first auxiliary unit of the present invention, and the water pump 17 represents a second auxiliary unit of the present invention.

[0040] The compressor 20 is equipped with a compressor pulley 20a and the compressor pulley 20a is connected to a rotary shaft 20b of the compressor 20.

[0041] A drive belt 41A is wound around the crankshaft pulley 15a, the generator pulley 16a, and the compressor pulley 20a. The power of the crankshaft 15 is transmitted from the crankshaft pulley 15a via the drive belt 41A to the generator pulley 16a and the pump pulley 17a. This causes the motor-generator 16 to generate electrical power to drive the compressor 20.

[0042] A drive belt 41B is wound around the crankshaft pulley 15a and the pump pulley 17a. The power of the crankshaft 15 is transmitted from the crankshaft pulley 15a to the pump pulley 17a via the drive belt 41B. This drives the pump pulley 17a.

[0043] The crankshaft pulley 15a is split in the front / back direction relative to the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the crankshaft 15, and the drive belt 41A and the drive belt 41B are wound around the respective split crankshaft pulleys 15a. In particular, the drive belt 41A and the drive belt 41B are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the crankshaft 15.

[0044] As previously described, in the motor 7 of the present embodiment, power is transferred from the motor body 9 via the drive belt 41A to the motor generator 16 and the compressor 20 and via the drive belt 41B to the water pump 17.

[0045] A tensioning pulley 42A is attached to the motor generator 16. The tensioning pulley 42A is rotatably mounted on the bracket 42B. The bracket 42B is fixed to the motor generator 16 by a bolt 18H.

[0046] The drive belt 41A is longer than the drive belt 41B. The tensioning pulley 42A contacts the drive belt 41A to press on the drive belt 41A and thereby exert tension on the drive belt 41A.

[0047] The chain cover 21 is equipped with a tensioning unit 43. The tensioning unit 43 comprises a bracket 44, an arm element 45 and a tensioning roller 46.

[0048] The bracket 44 is attached to the chain guard 21 by bolts 18J and 18K. The bracket 44 is equipped with a connecting section 44A (see Fig. 5) and a first end section 45a of the arm element 45 is rotatably connected to the connecting section 44A. This allows the arm element 45 to pivot about the connecting section 44A.

[0049] The tension roller 46 is rotatably connected to a second end section 45b of the arm element 45 and the tension roller 46 is in contact with the drive belt 41A.

[0050] The connecting section 44A of the bracket 44 is connected to the first end section 45a of the arm element 45 by a torsion spring 47 (see Fig. 5) The torsion spring 47 forces the arm element 45 in one direction to press the tensioning roller 46 onto the drive belt 41A. This exerts tension on the drive belt 41A by means of the tensioning unit 43.

[0051] When a reaction force is exerted on the tensioning roller 46 by the drive belt 41A in the tensioning unit 43, the arm element 45 pivots in a direction opposite to the preload force of the torsion spring 47 and absorbs the change in tension of the drive belt 41A caused by the change in torque of the motor 7.

[0052] As described above, the tensioning unit 43 adjusts the tension of the drive belt 41A when the tensioning roller 46 presses on the drive belt 41A or when it absorbs the reaction force of the drive belt 41A by pivoting the arm element 45 in one direction or the other due to the spring force of the torsion spring 47.

[0053] In Fig. 2. The bracket 44 comprises the mounting sections 44B and 44C. The mounting section 44B is arranged on the second edge 21B of the chain guard 21, the second edge 21B being located in a region of the up / down direction, i.e., the vertical direction of the engine 7, between the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B. The mounting section 44B is fastened to the second edge 21B by the bolt 18J.

[0054] A bulging section 29 is provided on the chain cover 21 at a higher level than the tensioning unit 43. The bulging section 29 extends from the chain cover 21 to the opposite side to the right-hand side sections 11c and 12c of the engine body 9 (see Fig. 1).

[0055] Mounting section 44C is arranged on a higher plane than mounting section 44B and closer to the first edge 21A of the motor body 9 than mounting section 44B, and is fastened to the bulging section 29 by bolt 18K. Mounting section 44B of the present example represents the first mounting section of the present invention, and mounting section 44C represents the second mounting section of the present invention.

[0056] In Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 comprises the water pump 17, a water pump body 17A, and a cooling water passage section 17B. The water pump body 17A includes a rotor (not shown) and the like, and directs the cooling water from an engine radiator (not shown) to the cooling water passage section 17B. The cooling water passage section 17B directs the cooling water from the water pump body 17A to the engine body 9.

[0057] The rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 is equipped with a coolant passage section 11W. In Fig. 5 the cooling water passage section 11W includes a cooling water passage 11w and the cooling water passage 11w is connected to a water jacket 11j.

[0058] The coolant passage section 17B is attached to the coolant passage section 11W by the bolt 18E, and the coolant passage 11w formed in the coolant passage section 17B is connected to the coolant passage 11w. The low-temperature coolant, cooled by the engine radiator, is introduced through the water pump main body 17A into the coolant passage 17w and subsequently from the coolant passage section 11w into the water jacket 11j.

[0059] The water jacket 11j is arranged around the cylinders 11s of the cylinder block 11. This allows the cylinders 11s to be cooled by the cooling water introduced into the water jacket 11j.

[0060] The Fig. Figure 5 represents cooling water W, which flows through the water pump 17 and the cooling water passage 11w in the water jacket 11j. It is noted that the cooling water W flows in the water jacket 11j and that Fig. 5 represents the flow direction of the cooling water W outside the cylinders 11s.

[0061] Furthermore, a water jacket (not shown) is arranged around the connection plane 9M of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12, in which the combustion chamber is formed. The cooling water introduced into the cylinder block 11 from the cooling water passage 11w is introduced into the water jacket arranged around the connection plane 9M in order to cool the area surrounding the connection plane 9M.

[0062] The cooling water passage section 17B of the present example represents an auxiliary unit-side cooling water passage section of the present invention, and the cooling water passage section 11W represents a block-side cooling water passage section of the present invention.

[0063] In Fig. 4 the cooling water passage section 11W is provided in the same height position as the upper projecting section 11A, and is arranged on the side opposite the chain cover 21 in relation to the upper projecting section 11A.

[0064] In Fig. 5 The cooling water passage section 17B is located on the side opposite the clamping unit 43 relative to the water pump body 17A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s, i.e., in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the cooling water passage section 17B is connected to the cooling water passage section 11W such that the cooling water passage section 17B extends from the upper projecting section 11A of the water pump body 17A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s.

[0065] The bolt 18J fastens the mounting section 44B to the cooling water passage section 11W via the chain cover 21. The bolt 18J of the present example constitutes a fastening means of the present invention.

[0066] In Fig. 4 A bearing mounting section 22 is provided on an upper section of the chain cover 21. The bearing mounting section 22 bulges from the chain cover 21 towards the side opposite the right side sections 11c and 12c of the engine body 9 (see Fig. 1).

[0067] The bearing mounting section 22 is equipped with a bearing element (not shown) and the bearing element is arranged on the side of the body 2. The motor 7 is elastically supported by the body 2 via the bearing element.

[0068] The following section describes operational processes.

[0069] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the drive belt 41A extends obliquely backwards and downwards from the generator pulley 16a towards the crankshaft pulley 15a, and the tensioner pulley 46 is in contact with the drive belt 41A near the midpoint of its extension between the generator pulley 16a and the crankshaft pulley 15a. This pushes and bends the drive belt 41A towards the side of the compressor 29.

[0070] For this reason, a load F1 is exerted obliquely backwards and upwards from the drive belt 41A onto the tensioning unit 43. Additionally, a component F2 of the load F1 is exerted vertically on the tensioning unit 43, and a component F3 of the load F1 is exerted horizontally. In this case, a load F4 is exerted vertically and a load F5 horizontally on the mounting section 44B, and the chain cover 21 vibrates both vertically and horizontally.

[0071] The engine 7 of the present example comprises the engine body 9, which includes the upper projecting section 11A, which projects outwards from the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11, and the lower projecting section 11B, which is located below the upper projecting section 11A and projects outwards from the rear side section 11b, and the chain cover 21, which covers the right side sections 11c and 12c of the engine body 9.

[0072] Furthermore, the motor 7 includes the motor generator 16, which is located on the side of the front side section 11a of the cylinder block 11, and to which power is transmitted from the engine body 9 via the drive belt 41A, and the water pump 17, which is attached to the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B, and to which power is transmitted from the engine body 9 via the drive belt 41B.

[0073] Furthermore, the motor 7 includes the tensioning unit 43, which adjusts the tension of the drive belt 41A, and the tensioning unit 43 includes the mounting sections 44B and 44C, which are attached to the chain cover 21, and the mounting section 44B is arranged between the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B in the vertical direction of the motor 7.

[0074] The upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B, to which the high-stiffness water pump 17 is connected, are reinforced by the water pump 17 and thus exhibit high stiffness. The section of the chain guard 21 between the high-stiffness upper projecting section 11A and the high-stiffness lower projecting section 11B is very stiff and difficult to deform.

[0075] Since the mounting section 44B of the clamping unit 43 is attached to the section of the high-stiffness chain cover 21 between the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B, it is thus possible to increase the mounting strength of the chain cover 21 to which the mounting section 44B is attached, and the loads F4 and F5 introduced by the mounting section 44 can be absorbed by the chain cover 21, which has sufficient strength.

[0076] Thus, it is possible to reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the tensioning unit 43, and the tensioning unit 43 enables a stable adjustment of the tension of the drive belt 41A.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the engine 7 of the present example, the water pump 17 comprises the water pump body 17A and the coolant passage section 17B to direct the coolant from the water pump body 17A to the cylinder block 11.

[0078] The cooling water passage section 17B is located on the side opposite the clamping unit 43 in relation to the water pump body 17A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s and is connected to the rear side section 11b of the cylinder block 11 in such a way that the cooling water passage section 17B extends from the water pump body 17A from the upper projecting section 11A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s.

[0079] This allows for the reinforcement of the upper projecting section 11A by means of the highly rigid cooling water passage section 17B and an increase in the rigidity of the upper projecting section 11A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s. Thus, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the chain cover section 21 between the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B, which already exhibits even higher rigidity.

[0080] If, due to the action of the load F5 on the mounting section 44B, a backward bending moment M emanating from the mounting section 44B and representing a heavy load is exerted on the water pump 17 (see Fig.5) Consequently, this bending moment M can be absorbed by the chain cover 21, which has sufficient strength. This makes it possible to reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the tensioning unit 43 more effectively.

[0081] Furthermore, the engine body 9, according to the engine 7 of the present example, includes the coolant passage section 11W, to which the coolant passage section 17B is connected, and the upper protruding section 11A is connected to the coolant passage section 11W.

[0082] The cooling water passage section 11W has an internally formed cooling water passage 11w and exhibits a thickness in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s, and thus high stiffness. By connecting this highly stiff cooling water passage section 11W with the highly stiff cooling water passage section 17B, it is possible to further reinforce the upper projecting section 11A with the highly stiff cooling water passage section 11W and the highly stiff cooling water passage section 17B.

[0083] Thus, it is possible to further increase the stiffness of the upper projecting section 11A in the arrangement direction of the cylinders 11s and to further increase the stiffness of the section of the chain cover 21 between the upper projecting section 11A and the lower projecting section 11B, which has an even higher stiffness.

[0084] As a result, it is possible to absorb the loads F4 and F5 introduced by the attachment section 44B by means of the chain cover 21, which has sufficient strength, and to reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the tensioning unit 43 more effectively.

[0085] If a rearward bending moment M, representing a heavy load, originating from the mounting section 44B, is exerted on the water pump 17, the bending moment M can also be absorbed by the high-stiffness cooling water passage section 11W and the high-stiffness cooling water passage section 17B, which are positioned in the direction of the bending moment M. This makes it possible to more effectively reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the clamping unit 43.

[0086] Furthermore, the clamping unit 43, according to the engine 7 of the present example, includes the bolt 18J, which fastens the mounting section 44B to the cylinder block 11 via the chain cover 21, and the mounting section 44B is fastened to the coolant passage section 11W by the bolt 18J.

[0087] Thus, it is possible to connect the mounting section 44B to the high-strength cooling water passage section 11W by means of the bolt 18J, and to absorb the loads F4 and F5 introduced by the mounting section 44B both by the section of the chain cover 21 between the high-strength upper projecting section 11A and the high-strength lower projecting section 11B, and by the high-strength cooling water passage section 11W. As a result, it is possible to reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the clamping unit 43 more effectively.

[0088] Furthermore, the chain cover 21, according to the engine 7 of the present example, includes the bulging section 29, which bulges from the chain cover 21 to the side opposite the right side sections 11c and 12c of the engine body 9, and the tensioning unit 43 includes the mounting section 44C, which is attached to the bulging section.

[0089] The mounting section 44B is located at the second edge 21B of the chain cover 21 and the mounting section 44C is located closer to the first edge 21A of the chain cover 21 than the mounting section 44B.

[0090] Since the mounting section 44B is located on the second edge 21B of the chain cover 21 and the mounting section 44C is attached to the bulging section 29 in such a way that it is closer to the first edge 21A of the chain cover 21 than the mounting section 44B, it is possible, as described above, to stably attach the clamping unit 43 to the chain cover 21, in contrast to a case in which the mounting section 44B and the mounting section 44C are located close to each other.

[0091] Furthermore, the second edge 21B of the chain guard 21, which is attached to the right side section of the engine body 9 by bolt 18G, exhibits high rigidity. Since the mounting section 44B is located on this second edge 21B, the loads F4 and F5 introduced by the mounting section 44B can be absorbed by the chain guard 21, which has sufficient strength.

[0092] Furthermore, the bulging section 29 exhibits high stiffness. The mounting section 44C is arranged on this bulging section 29, and the load introduced by the mounting section 44C can be absorbed by the chain cover 21, which has sufficient strength. As a result, it is possible to reduce the vibration introduced into the chain cover 21 by the tensioning unit 43 more effectively.

[0093] Furthermore, the upper surface 11u of the upper projecting section 11A, according to the engine 7 of the present example, is located on the extension line L of the connecting plane 9M of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12.

[0094] The connection plane 9M of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12 exhibits high stiffness. Since the upper projecting section 11A is located close to the high-strength connection plane 9M, it is possible to further increase the stiffness of the upper projecting section 11A.

[0095] Thus, it is possible to further increase the stiffness of the section of the chain cover 21 between the high-strength upper projecting section 11A and the high-strength lower projecting section 11B, and, since the mounting section 44B is attached to this high-strength section, it is possible to further increase the mounting strength of the chain cover 21. Therefore, the loads F4 and F5 introduced by the mounting section 44B can be absorbed by the chain cover 21, which has sufficient strength.

[0096] The motor 7 of the present example transmits power from the crankshaft pulley 15a to the motor generator 16, the water pump 17, and the compressor 20 via the two drive belts 41A and 41B. However, the power can also be transmitted from the crankshaft pulley 15a to the motor generator 16, the water pump 17, and the compressor 20 via one drive belt or three drive belts.

[0097] An example of the present invention has been disclosed, and it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can make modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and equivalents are to be considered as encompassed in the present invention.

[0098] 7 ... Engine (vehicle internal combustion engine), 9 ... Engine body, 9M ... Connecting plane (connecting plane of the cylinder block and cylinder head), 11 ... Cylinder block, 11A ... Upper projecting section, 11B ... Lower projecting section, 11C ... Coolant passage section (block-side coolant passage section), 11a, 12a ... Front side section (first side section), 11b, 12b ... Rear side section (second side section), 11m, 12m ... Right end section (end section in the extension direction of the second side section), 11r, 12r ... Right end section (end section in the extension direction of the first side section), 11s ... Cylinder, 11u ... Upper surface (upper surface of the upper projecting section), 12 ... Cylinder head, 16 ... Engine generator (first auxiliary unit), 17 ... Water pump (second auxiliary unit), 17A ... Water pump body, 17B ... Cooling water passage section, 18J ... Bolts (fasteners), 21 ...Chain cover (cover element), 21A ... first edge, 21B ... second edge, 29 ... bulging section, 41A, 41B ... drive belt, 43 ... tensioning unit, 44B ... mounting section (first mounting section), 44C ... mounting section (second mounting section), L ... extension line of the connecting plane of the cylinder block and cylinder head.

Claims

[1] Mounting structure of a clamping unit (43) for a vehicle internal combustion engine (7), wherein the clamping unit (43) configured for mounting on the vehicle internal combustion engine (7) comprises the following: an engine body (9) which a multitude of cylinders arranged in a row (11s), a first page section (11a, 12a), a second side section (11b, 12b) opposite the first side section (11a, 12a), and a third side section (12c) which connects an end section positioned on an extension line of the first side section (11a, 12a) with an end section positioned on an extension line of the second side section (11b, 12b); a cover element (21) that covers the third side section (12c) and that comprises a first rim (21A) that is attached to the third side section (12c) on the side of the first side section (11a, 12a) and a second rim (21B) that is attached to the third side section (12c) on the side of the second side section (11b, 12b); a first auxiliary unit (16) which is arranged on the side of the first side section (11a, 12a) and to which power is transmitted from the engine body (9) via a drive belt (41A); a second auxiliary unit (17) provided on the second side section (11b, 12b); and wherein the tensioning unit (43) sets a tension of the drive belt (41A), wherein the mounting structure of the tensioning unit (43) for a vehicle internal combustion engine (7) characterized by is that the motor body (9) has an upper projecting section (11A) which projects outwards from the second side section (11b, 12b) and a lower projecting section (11B) which is provided on the second side section (11b, 12b), is located below the upper projecting section (11A) and projects outwards from the second side section (11b, 12b), the second auxiliary unit (17) includes a water pump, the water pump comprises a water pump body (17A) and an auxiliary unit-side coolant passage section (17B) that directs coolant from the water pump body (17A) to the engine body (9), wherein the water pump is attached to the upper projecting section (11A) and the lower projecting section (11B) by bolts (18C, 18D) and the auxiliary unit cooling water passage section (17B) is attached to the second side section (11b, 12b) by a bolt (18E), wherein the clamping unit (43) has attachment sections (44B, 44C) configured for attachment to the cover element (21), and wherein one of the attachment sections (44B, 44C) is fastened to the second edge (21B) of the cover element (21) by a bolt (18J) arranged between the upper projecting section (11A) and the lower projecting section (11B) in a vertical direction of the vehicle internal combustion engine (7). [2] Mounting structure of a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein a block-side coolant passage section (11W), to which the auxiliary-side coolant passage section (17B) is to be connected, is provided at the same height position as the upper projecting section (11A) on the second side section (11b, 12b). [3] Mounting structure of a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover element (21) comprises a bulging section (29) that bulges from the cover element (21) to a side opposite the third side section (11c, 12c), where the mounting section (44B) is referred to as the first mounting section (44B), the clamping unit (43) comprises a second mounting section (44C) which is attached to the bulging section (29) by a bolt (18K), the second attachment section (44C) is located closer to the first edge (21A) of the cover element (21) than the first attachment section (44B). [4] Mounting structure of a clamping unit for a vehicle internal combustion engine according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engine body (9) comprises a cylinder block (11) which includes the second side section (11b, 12b), and a cylinder head (12) which is attached to an upper section of the cylinder block and includes the second side section (11b, 12b), and an upper surface of the upper projecting section (11A) is located on an extension line (L) of a connecting plane (9M) of the cylinder block (11) and the cylinder head (12).

Images