Support structure for oil level gauge of internal combustion engine

Abstract

To provide a support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine capable of reducing vibration of the oil level gauge by enhancing supporting rigidity thereof, thereby suppressing noise generation.SOLUTION: A chain case 5 mounted on a cylinder block 2 comprises: a chain case body 5A positioned opposite a front edge section of the cylinder block 2; and a side wall section 5B which is folded in the crankshaft direction from both ends of the chain case body 5A perpendicular to a crankshaft direction and fastened to a flange section 2F. The side wall section 5B is provided with an oil level gauge insertion hole 11 through which an oil level gauge 10 is inserted into an engine 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Internal combustion engines mounted on vehicles are provided with an oil level gauge that detects the height of the oil level stored in an oil pan (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The oil level gauge described in Patent Document 1 is inserted into the crankcase through an oil level gauge insertion hole in a chain cover provided on the front part of the crankcase, and a guide pipe is provided outside the crankcase relative to the oil level gauge insertion hole to guide the oil pipe into the oil level gauge insertion hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5706799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional oil level gauges, the oil level gauge is placed in an oil level gauge insertion hole in the chain case provided on the front part of the crankcase, so the oil level gauge is placed in a part of the chain case where the rigidity is weak.

[0006] Therefore, when the chain case is vibrated by the internal combustion engine, the oil level gauge may also vibrate, potentially causing abnormal noise.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine that can improve the support rigidity of the oil level gauge, suppress vibration of the oil level gauge, and suppress the generation of abnormal noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a support structure for an oil level gauge for an internal combustion engine, which includes a cylinder block having a crankshaft and a flange portion formed on the outer peripheral edge of one end in the crankshaft direction, an oil pan provided at the bottom of the cylinder block for storing oil, a chain case fastened to the flange portion so as to cover a timing chain provided at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block, and an oil level gauge for detecting the oil level of the oil stored in the oil pan, wherein the chain case has a chain case main body facing one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block, and a pair of side wall portions bent in the crankshaft direction from both widthwise ends of the chain case main body perpendicular to the crankshaft direction and fastened to the flange portion, and an oil level gauge insertion hole for inserting the oil level gauge into the interior of the internal combustion engine is formed in one of the pair of side wall portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge can be improved, thereby suppressing vibration of the oil level gauge and suppressing the generation of abnormal noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an engine equipped with a support structure for an oil level gauge according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of an engine equipped with a support structure for an oil level gauge according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right. [Figure 3]3 is a rear view of the inner surface of the chain cover of an engine equipped with an oil level gauge support structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the chain cover removed from the cylinder block and the oil pan cut along the III-III arrow cross section in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the engine chain cover equipped with the support structure for the oil level gauge, removed from the cylinder block, viewed obliquely from above and behind. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A support structure for an oil level gauge for an internal combustion engine in one embodiment of the present invention is a support structure for an oil level gauge for an internal combustion engine that includes a cylinder block having a crankshaft and having a flange portion formed on the outer peripheral edge of one end in the crankshaft direction, an oil pan provided at the bottom of the cylinder block for storing oil, a chain case fastened to the flange portion so as to cover a timing chain provided at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block, and an oil level gauge for detecting the oil level of the oil stored in the oil pan, wherein the chain case has a chain case main body facing one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block, and a pair of side wall portions bent in the crankshaft direction from both widthwise ends of the chain case main body perpendicular to the crankshaft direction and fastened to the flange portion, and an oil level gauge insertion hole for inserting the oil level gauge into the interior of the internal combustion engine is formed in one of the pair of side wall portions.

[0012] As a result, the support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve the support rigidity of the oil level gauge, suppress vibration of the oil level gauge, and suppress the generation of abnormal noise. [Example]

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1 to 4 are diagrams showing a support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] In Figures 1 to 4, the up / down, front / rear, left / right directions are based on the internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle, and the front / rear direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, the left / right direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction) is the left / right direction, and the up / down direction of the vehicle (vehicle height direction) is the up / down direction.

[0016] First, the configuration will be described. In Figures 1 and 2, engine 1 as an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block 2, a cylinder head (not shown) provided on the top of cylinder block 2, and an oil pan 3 provided on the bottom of cylinder block 2 in which oil is stored.

[0017] The engine 1 is arranged in the engine compartment or below the front seats in the passenger compartment, and is applied to a FR (front engine, rear drive) vehicle.

[0018] A plurality of cylinders (not shown) are provided in the cylinder block 2, and the cylinders are arranged in a line in the front-to-rear direction. A piston (not shown) is housed in each cylinder so that it can move up and down. In Fig. 1, a cylinder axis 2A is shown.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, a crankshaft 2B is housed in the cylinder block 2. The crankshaft 2B rotates around a central rotation axis 2C (shown by a virtual line in Figure 2) extending in the front-to-rear direction, converting the up-and-down movement of the pistons into rotational movement. The direction of the central rotation axis 2C of the crankshaft 2B is simply referred to as the crankshaft direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a timing chain 4 (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2) is provided at the front end (one end) in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block 2, and the timing chain 4 is covered by a chain case 5.

[0021] The timing chain 4 is stretched between the crankshaft 2B and an intake camshaft and an exhaust camshaft (not shown), and transmits the power of the engine 1 from the crankshaft 2B to the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, a flange portion 2F is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the front end portion in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block 2, and the flange portion 2F extends obliquely in opposing vertical directions.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the chain case 5 has a chain case main body 5A that faces the front end of the cylinder block 2 in the crankshaft direction, and side wall portions 5B and 5C that are bent in the crankshaft direction from both ends of the chain case main body 5A in the width direction 6 that is perpendicular to the crankshaft 2B and are fastened to the flange portion 2F by bolts not shown.

[0024] The flange portion 2F is formed on the cylinder block 2 so as to fit with the side wall portions 5B and 5C.

[0025] The length of the side walls 5B, 5C in the crankshaft direction is longer than the length of the timing chain 4 in the crankshaft direction and shorter than the length in the width direction 6 of the chain case main body 5A.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, an oil level gauge 10 is disposed in the engine 1. The oil level gauge 10 has, for example, a gauge portion 10A formed in a linear shape from a flexible material, an operation portion 10B provided at the upper end of the gauge portion 10A, and a gauge guide 10C covering the upper portion of the gauge portion 10A.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a cylindrical oil level gauge insertion hole 11 is formed in the side wall portion 5B of the chain case 5, and the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 connects the inside and outside of the engine 1.

[0028] In the engine 1 of this embodiment, the cylinder axis 2A is inclined significantly obliquely with respect to the vertical axis so that the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 faces upward. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 5B constitutes one side wall portion, and the side wall portion 5C constitutes the other side wall portion.

[0029] The gauge portion 10A of the oil level gauge 10 is inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, and the lower end portion is immersed in oil.

[0030] A sealing member 12 (see Figure 2) is provided between the gauge guide 10C and the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, and the oil level gauge 10 is supported and prevented from coming loose by the gauge guide 10C fitting into the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 via the sealing member 12.

[0031] In addition, a seal member 12 is interposed between the gauge guide 10C and the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, thereby sealing the inside of the engine 1 from the outside of the engine 1 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0032] When the oil level gauge 10 is inserted into the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 so that the gauge portion 10A is immersed in the oil stored in the oil pan 3, the operating portion 10B is positioned above the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, and the operator can access the operating portion 10B from outside the engine 1.

[0033] The oil level gauge 10 detects the height position of the oil surface when the gauge portion 10A is immersed in oil. Specifically, the oil level gauge 10 can measure (detect) the height position of the oil surface of the oil stored in the oil pan 3 from the position of the oil adhering to the lower end of the gauge portion 10A.

[0034] In this embodiment, the lower end of the gauge portion 10A is located above the horizontal portion 3A of the oil pan 3, so that the oil level can be detected with high accuracy.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, an engine 1 is equipped with an ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) 13 and an air compressor 14 .

[0036] The ISG 13 has a fastening portion 13a at its front end, and the fastening portion 13a is fastened to the chain case 5 by a bolt 21 (see FIG. 4). The air compressor 14 is fastened to the oil pan 3 by a bolt (not shown).

[0037] A crank pulley 2D is provided at the front end of the crankshaft 2B, and the crank pulley 2D rotates integrally with the crankshaft 2B.

[0038] The ISG 13 and the air compressor 14 are provided with pulleys 13A and 14A, respectively, and the crank pulley 2D and the pulleys 13A and 14A are connected by a belt 15A.

[0039] The power of the engine 1 is transmitted from the crankshaft 2B to the pulleys 13A and 14A via the belt 15A, and the power of the ISG 13 is generated and the air compressor 14 is driven.

[0040] Furthermore, power is transmitted from the ISG 13 to the crank pulley 2D via the belt 15A, and the engine 1 is started.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, an oil pump housing 5D is provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A on the cylinder block 2 side, and the oil pump housing 5D is connected to an oil gallery (not shown) provided on the cylinder block 2 side.

[0042] An oil pump 16 (shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3) is provided in the oil pump housing 5D, and the oil pump 16 is driven by the crankshaft 2B.

[0043] A water pump housing 5E is provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A, and a water pump 17 (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 3) is provided in the water pump housing 5E.

[0044] The water pump 17 is connected to a water pump pulley 18 (see FIG. 1). A belt 15B is wound around the water pump pulley 18, and power is transmitted to the crank pulley 2D from the water pump pulley 18 via the belt 15B. In other words, the engine 1 of this embodiment has two belts 15A and 15B.

[0045] 3 and 4, a boss portion 5b is provided on the side wall portion 5B, and the boss portion 5b is disposed close to the oil level gauge insertion hole 11. A fastening portion 13a of the ISG 13 is fastened to the boss portion 5b with a bolt 21.

[0046] Here, providing the boss portion 5b close to the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 means that the boss portion 5b is close enough to the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to increase the strength of the periphery of the oil level gauge insertion hole 11. The ISG 13 of this embodiment constitutes the first auxiliary machine.

[0047] A pair of guide ribs 5F, 5G are provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A, and the guide ribs 5F, 5G protrude from the inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A toward the cylinder block 2. The inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A is flat.

[0048] The guide ribs 5F, 5G are located on the oil pan 3 side of the oil level gauge insertion hole 11. The guide ribs 5F, 5G extend along the guide direction so as to guide the gauge portion 10A of the oil level gauge 10 inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to the horizontal portion 3A of the oil pan 3.

[0049] Here, the guiding direction is a direction in which the gauge portion 10A of the oil level gauge 10 inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 can be smoothly and reliably guided to the horizontal portion 3A. The lower ends of the guide ribs 5F and 5G face the horizontal portion 3A.

[0050] The gauge portion 10A is sandwiched between the guide ribs 5F, 5G and guided along the guide ribs 5F, 5G to the horizontal portion 3A of the oil pan.

[0051] 3, the water pump housing 5E is located on the side wall portion 5C side and bulges out from the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A toward the cylinder block 2. The water pump 17 housed in the water pump housing 5E constitutes a second accessory, and the water pump housing 5E constitutes a second accessory accommodating section.

[0052] The oil pump housing 5D is located at the same height as the water pump housing 5E and on the side wall 5B side of the water pump housing 5E, and protrudes from the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A toward the cylinder block 2.

[0053] The oil pump housing 5D is disposed around the oil pump 16 so as to surround the oil pump 16.

[0054] The oil pump 16 of this embodiment constitutes a third accessory, and the oil pump housing 5D constitutes a third accessory accommodating portion.

[0055] A first reinforcing rib 5H and a second reinforcing rib 5I are provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case body 5A, and the first reinforcing rib 5H and the second reinforcing rib 5I protrude from the inner surface 5a toward the cylinder block 2 side.

[0056] The first reinforcing rib 5H extends from the boss portion 5b to the water pump housing 5E, and connects the boss portion 5b and the water pump housing 5E.

[0057] Specifically, the first reinforcing rib 5H is formed long and extends from the boss portion 5b provided on the side wall portion 5B across the upper part of the oil pump housing 5D to the water pump housing 5E provided on the side wall portion 5C side.

[0058] The second reinforcing rib 5I extends from the boss portion 5b to the oil pump housing 5D, and connects the boss portion 5b to the oil pump housing 5D. The oil pump housing 5D is located between the side wall portion 5B and the side wall portion 5C.

[0059] The second reinforcing rib 5I is located closer to the oil pan 3 than the first reinforcing rib 5H, and is formed shorter than the first reinforcing rib 5H by extending from the side wall portion 5B to the oil pump housing 5D located between the side wall portions 5B and 5C.

[0060] The guide ribs 5F and 5G are located between the side wall 5B and the oil pump housing 5D so as to be close to the side wall 5B. The guide ribs 5F and 5G extend from the first reinforcing rib 5H to the second reinforcing rib 5I, connecting the first reinforcing rib 5H and the second reinforcing rib 5I.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, semicircular notches 5h are formed in the first reinforcing rib 5H, and the notches 5h are formed around the connecting portions between the first reinforcing rib 5H and the guide ribs 5F and 5G.

[0062] The notch 5h guides the gauge portion 10A of the oil level gauge 10 from the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to the guide ribs 5F and 5G.

[0063] In other words, when the gauge portion 10A is inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, it does not come into contact with the notch 5h or only comes into slight contact with it, and is guided through the notch 5h to the guide ribs 5F, 5G, and is guided to the oil pan 3 by being sandwiched between the guide ribs 5F, 5G.

[0064] Next, the effect of the support structure of the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment will be described. The support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment has a crankshaft 2B, a cylinder block 2 having a flange portion 2F formed on the outer peripheral edge of the front end in the crankshaft direction, and an oil pan 3 provided at the bottom of the cylinder block 2 for storing oil.

[0065] In addition, the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 includes a chain case 5 fastened to the flange portion 2F so as to cover the timing chain 4 provided at the front end of the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block 2, and an oil level gauge 10 that detects the oil level of the oil stored in the oil pan 3.

[0066] The chain case 5 has a chain case main body 5A facing the front end of the cylinder block 2, and side wall portions 5B and 5C bent in the crankshaft direction from both ends of the chain case main body 5A in the width direction 6 perpendicular to the crankshaft direction and fastened to the flange portion 2F.

[0067] In addition, an oil level gauge insertion hole 11 for inserting an oil level gauge 10 into the engine 1 is formed in the side wall portion 5B.

[0068] In other words, the side wall portion 5B is fastened to the flange portion 2F of the cylinder block 2 with bolts, and its length in the crankshaft direction is shorter than the length of the side wall of the cylinder block 2 (the side wall of the cylinder block 2 extending in the crankshaft direction) and the width of the chain case main body 5A.

[0069] This allows the rigidity of the side wall portion 5B to be significantly higher than the rigidity of the side wall of the cylinder block 2 or the chain case main body 5A, so by forming the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 in the highly rigid side wall portion 5B, vibration of the side wall portion 5B due to vibration of the engine 1 can be suppressed.

[0070] Therefore, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge 10 can be improved, and the vibration of the oil level gauge 10 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment, a boss portion 5b for fastening the ISG 13 is formed on the side wall portion 5B, and the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 is positioned close to the boss portion 5b.

[0072] This allows the side wall portion 5B around the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to be reinforced by the highly rigid boss portion 5b, and the rigidity of the side wall portion 5B around the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 can be increased.

[0073] Therefore, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively improved, the vibration of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise can be more effectively suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment, guide ribs 5F and 5G are provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A.

[0075] The guide ribs 5F and 5G extend along the guide direction so as to guide the oil level gauge 10 inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to the horizontal portion 3A of the oil pan 3.

[0076] As a result, the oil level gauge 10 can be easily moved to the oil pan 3 by the guide ribs 5F, 5G, and the workability of the installation work of the oil level gauge 10 to the engine 1 can be improved.

[0077] In addition, the rigidity of the chain case main body 5A can be increased by the guide ribs 5F and 5G, and vibration of the chain case main body 5A due to vibration of the engine 1 can be suppressed.

[0078] Therefore, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively improved to the extent that vibration of the chain case main body 5A can be suppressed, and vibration of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively suppressed, thereby more effectively suppressing the generation of abnormal noise. Note that one guide rib or three or more guide ribs may be provided.

[0079] In addition, the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 in this embodiment includes a water pump housing 5E located on the side wall portion 5C side, protruding from the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A toward the cylinder block 2, and accommodating the water pump 17, and an oil pump housing 5D located on the side wall portion 5B side of the water pump housing 5E, protruding from the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A toward the cylinder block 2, and accommodating the oil pump 16.

[0080] In addition, the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 in this embodiment has a first reinforcing rib 5H provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A and extending from the boss portion 5b to the water pump housing 5E, and a second reinforcing rib 5I provided on the inner surface 5a of the chain case main body 5A and extending from the boss portion 5b to the oil pump housing 5D.

[0081] In addition, the guide ribs 5F and 5G connect the first reinforcing rib 5H and the second reinforcing rib 5I.

[0082] This allows the rigidity of the chain case main body 5A to be increased by the oil pump housing 5D, the water pump housing 5E, the first reinforcing rib 5H and the second reinforcing rib 5I, thereby suppressing vibration of the chain case main body 5A due to vibration of the engine 1.

[0083] Therefore, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively improved to the extent that vibration of the chain case main body 5A can be suppressed, and vibration of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively suppressed, thereby more effectively suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment, the first reinforcing rib 5H has a notch 5h that guides the oil level gauge 10 from the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 to the guide ribs 5F and 5G, and the notch 5h is formed around the connection between the first reinforcing rib 5H and the guide ribs 5F and 5G.

[0085] As a result, the gauge portion 10A of the oil level gauge 10 inserted into the engine 1 through the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 can be guided to the guide ribs 5F, 5G through the cutout 5h. This makes it possible to more effectively improve the workability of the installation work of the oil level gauge 10 to the engine 1.

[0086] Furthermore, since notches 5h are formed around the connecting portions of the first reinforcing rib 5H and the guide ribs 5F and 5G, the rigidity of the chain case main body 5A, whose thickness has been reduced by the notches 5h, can be compensated for by the rigidity of the guide ribs 5F and 5G, thereby preventing a decrease in the rigidity of the chain case main body 5A.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment, the oil pump housing 5D is located between the side wall portion 5B and the side wall portion 5C so as to be close to the side wall portion 5B, and the guide ribs 5F, 5G are located between the side wall portion 5B and the oil pump housing 5D.

[0088] This allows the guide ribs 5F and 5G to be disposed close to the highly rigid side wall portion 5B to which the flange portion 2F is fastened to the cylinder block 2 with bolts.

[0089] This allows the rigidity of the chain case body 5A around the guide ribs 5F and 5G, that is, the rigidity of the side wall portion 5B around the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, to be further increased.

[0090] Therefore, the support rigidity of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively improved, the vibration of the oil level gauge 10 can be more effectively suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise can be more effectively suppressed.

[0091] Furthermore, by arranging the guide ribs 5F, 5G close to the side wall portion 5B, the distance that the oil level gauge 10 must move when it is removed from the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 can be shortened.

[0092] As a result, interference between the oil adhering to the inside of the engine 1 and the oil level gauge 10 can be suppressed, and the reliability of oil level detection by the oil level gauge 10 can be improved.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the support structure for the oil level gauge 10 of the engine 1 of this embodiment, the engine 1 is disposed at an angle so that the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 faces upward.

[0094] This makes it possible to insert and remove the oil level gauge 10 from above into the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 even in a horizontally mounted engine 1 with a greatly inclined cylinder axis 2A, improving the workability of attaching and detaching the oil level gauge 10.

[0095] In addition, by providing the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 in the side wall portion 5B of the chain case 5 facing the cylinder block 2, the overall length of the oil level gauge 10 can be shortened compared to when the oil level gauge insertion hole 11 is provided in the side wall portion 5B of the chain case 5 facing the cylinder head.

[0096] This makes it easy to handle the oil level gauge insertion hole 11, and the work of attaching and detaching the oil level gauge 10 to the engine 1 and the work of inspecting the oil level can be easily performed.

[0097] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such modifications and equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Engine (internal combustion engine) 2 Cylinder block 2B crankshaft 2F flange 3 Oil pan 3A horizontal section 4 Timing chain 5 Chain case 5A Chain case body 5a Inner surface (inner surface of chain case) 5B Side wall portion (one side wall portion) 5b Boss part 5C Side wall (other side wall) 5D Oil pump housing (third accessory housing) 5E Water pump housing (second accessory housing) 5F, 5G guide rib 5H First reinforcing rib 5h notch 5I Second reinforcing rib 6 Width direction of the chain case body 10 Oil level gauge 11 Oil level gauge insertion hole 13 ISG (first auxiliary engine) 16 Oil pump (third auxiliary) 17 Water pump (second auxiliary)

Claims

1. a cylinder block having a crankshaft and a flange portion formed on an outer peripheral edge of one end of the crankshaft; an oil pan provided at a lower portion of the cylinder block and configured to store oil; a chain case fastened to the flange portion so as to cover a timing chain provided at one end of the cylinder block in the crankshaft direction; an oil level gauge that detects the height of the oil level stored in the oil pan, the chain case has a chain case main body facing one end of the cylinder block in the crankshaft direction, and a pair of side wall portions bent in the crankshaft direction from both widthwise ends of the chain case main body perpendicular to the crankshaft direction and fastened to the flange portion, 1. A support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that an oil level gauge insertion hole for inserting the oil level gauge into the interior of the internal combustion engine is formed in one of the pair of side wall portions.

2. 2. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that a boss portion for fastening a first accessory is formed on one of the side walls, and the oil level gauge insertion hole is positioned close to the boss portion.

3. One or more guide ribs are provided on an inner surface of the chain case body and positioned on the oil pan side with respect to the oil level gauge insertion hole, 3. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 2, wherein the guide rib extends along a guide direction so as to guide the oil level gauge inserted into the internal combustion engine through the oil level gauge insertion hole to the horizontal portion of the oil pan.

4. a second accessory accommodating portion located on the other side wall portion of the pair of side wall portions, protruding from an inner surface of the chain case body on the cylinder block side toward the cylinder block, and accommodating a second accessory different from the first accessory; a third accessory housing portion located on the one side wall portion side of the second accessory housing portion, protruding from an inner surface of the chain case body toward the cylinder block, and housing a third accessory different from the first accessory and the second accessory; a first reinforcing rib provided on an inner surface of the chain case body and extending from the boss portion to the second accessory accommodating portion; a second reinforcing rib provided on an inner surface of the chain case body and extending from the boss portion to the third accessory accommodating portion; 4. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein the guide rib connects the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib.

5. the first reinforcing rib has a notch that guides the oil level gauge from the oil level gauge insertion hole to the guide rib, 5. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 4, wherein the notch is formed around a connecting portion between the first reinforcing rib and the guide rib.

6. the third accessory housing portion is located between the one side wall portion and the other side wall portion, 6. A support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine as described in claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the guide rib is located between the one side wall portion and the third accessory housing portion so as to be close to the one side wall portion.

7. 6. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine is disposed at an angle so that the oil level gauge insertion hole faces upward.

8. 7. The support structure for an oil level gauge of an internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the internal combustion engine is disposed at an angle so that the oil level gauge insertion hole faces upward.

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