engine

Abstract

This technology provides a way to simplify the fluid flow paths in an engine. [Solution] An exemplary engine comprises a plurality of cylinder rows, a coolant pump that discharges coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows, and a flow path forming member having a distribution channel for distributing the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows. In a plan view, the flow path forming member is positioned at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block having the plurality of cylinder rows.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system for a V-type engine. In this cooling system, a water pump is provided on one end side in the crankshaft direction of the engine. The cooling water discharged from the water pump is supplied to a connecting pipe provided on the other end side in the crankshaft direction of the engine. The cooling water supplied to the connecting pipe is distributively supplied to the water jackets of both banks of the engine. The cooling water that has passed through the water jackets of both banks is collected on one end side in the crankshaft direction and returned to the cooling water pump.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in an engine, components that require supply of a coolant are arranged in addition to a cylinder block or the like that constitutes the engine body, such as a supercharger and an intercooler. Also, in an engine, a flow path through which a fluid other than the coolant, such as lubricating oil and blow-by gas, flows is required. For this reason, in an engine, the constraints in laying out fluid flow paths may become severe.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of simplifying the fluid flow paths provided in an engine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An exemplary engine of the present invention comprises a plurality of cylinder rows, a coolant pump that discharges coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows, and a flow path forming member having a distribution channel for distributing the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows. In a plan view, the flow path forming member is positioned at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block having the plurality of cylinder rows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an exemplary example of the present invention, the fluid flow path of the engine can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Left side view showing the general configuration of the engine. [Figure 2] Front view showing the general configuration of the engine. [Figure 3] Plan view showing the general configuration of the engine. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram illustrating the flow of coolant in an engine. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram illustrating the flow of lubricating oil in an engine. [Figure 6] Schematic right side view showing the relationship between the flow path forming member and the cylinder block. [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the flow channel forming member. [Figure 8] Schematic perspective view showing the cross-section at position VIII-VIII in Figure 6. [Figure 9] Schematic perspective view showing the cross-section at position IX-IX in Figure 6. [Figure 10] Schematic perspective view showing the cross-section at position XX in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the XYZ coordinate system will be shown as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system where appropriate. In the following description, the X direction will be the front-rear direction, the Y direction the left-right direction, and the Z direction the up-down direction. The +X side will be the front side, and the -X side the rear side. The +Y side will be the left side, and the -Y side the right side. The +Z side will be the upper side, and the -Z side the lower side. In detail, the direction in which the center line J of the crankshaft (output shaft) shown in Figure 1 extends will be defined as the front direction. The side on which the cylinder block 11 is positioned relative to the flywheel (not shown) housed in the flywheel housing 3 will be the front side. The side on which the oil pan 2 is positioned relative to the cylinder block 11 will be defined as the lower side, and the up-down direction will be defined as the down side. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction will be defined as the left-right direction, and the side that is to the left when viewed from front to rear will be the left side, and the side that is to the right will be the right side. These directions are merely names used for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the actual positional relationships and directions.

[0010] <1. Engine Overview> Figure 1 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The outline of engine 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0011] Engine 100 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an engine used for power generation or a marine propulsion engine used for ship propulsion. Engine 100 is a diesel engine. Engine 100 mainly comprises an engine body 1 and an oil pan 2. The engine body 1 comprises a cylinder block 11, a head block 12, and a head cover 13.

[0012] Inside the cylinder block 11 are several pistons (not shown) and a crankshaft (not shown) connected to each piston and extending in the front-rear direction. The crankshaft converts the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion. A flywheel (not shown), housed in a flywheel housing 3, is attached to the rear end of the crankshaft. The flywheel rotates integrally with the crankshaft and is used to extract power for the engine 100.

[0013] The cylinder block 11 has multiple cylinders 14 (see Figure 6 below) arranged in the front-to-back direction on both the left and right sides. That is, the engine 100 has two cylinder rows 15 (see Figure 6). Note that the configuration with two cylinder rows 15 is illustrative. The number of cylinder rows in the engine of the present invention may be more than two, as long as there are multiple. The two cylinder rows 15 extending in the front-to-back direction are arranged with a gap between them on the left and right sides. Each of the multiple pistons is located in each cylinder 14. For example, the engine 100 is a V-type 12-cylinder engine, and the number of cylinders 14 arranged in the front-to-back direction on both the left and right sides is six.

[0014] The head block 12 is positioned on top of each cylinder 14. That is, the engine body 1 has six head blocks 12 arranged in the front-to-back direction on each of the left and right sides. Each head block 12 has an intake port (not shown) for supplying gas to the combustion chamber, which is composed of the cylinder 14, the head block 12, and the piston, and an exhaust port (not shown) for exhausting gas from the combustion chamber.

[0015] The head cover 13 is disposed above each head block 12. That is, the engine body 1 has six head covers 13 arranged in the front-rear direction on each of the left and right sides. Each head cover 13 covers intake valves and exhaust valves (not shown) disposed in the head block 12. An injector (not shown) is attached to each head cover 13. One end (lower end) of the injector where an injection port for injecting fuel is provided faces the combustion chamber. Each injector injects fuel supplied from a fuel pump 4 that discharges fuel at high pressure into the combustion chamber at an appropriate timing. The piston reciprocates by the force generated by the combustion of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. In the present embodiment, the fuel pump 4 is disposed behind the left side surface of the engine 100.

[0016] The cylinder bank 15, the head block 12, and the head cover 13 provided on the left side of the engine 100 constitute the left bank LB. The cylinder bank 15, the head block 12, and the head cover 13 provided on the right side of the engine 100 constitute the right bank RB.

[0017] The engine 100 also includes an intake manifold 5 and an exhaust manifold 6.

[0018] The intake manifold 5 distributes intake air, which is air or an air-fuel mixture supplied from a supercharger 7 described later in detail, to each cylinder (combustion chamber). Specifically, the intake manifold 5 is disposed one on each of the left and right side surfaces of the engine body 1 corresponding to the cylinder banks 15 disposed on the left and right sides, respectively. The intake manifolds 5 disposed on the left and right both extend in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, the intake manifold 5 provided on the left corresponding to the left cylinder bank 15 is referred to as the left intake manifold 5L. The intake manifold 5 provided on the right corresponding to the right cylinder bank 15 is referred to as the right intake manifold 5R.

[0019] The exhaust manifold 6 collects the exhaust gas from each cylinder 14 (combustion chamber). More specifically, there are two exhaust manifolds 6, one for each of the cylinder rows 15 located on the left and one for the right. Both exhaust manifolds 6 extend in the front-to-back direction. The two exhaust manifolds 6 are positioned side by side inside the V-bank, which is formed by the left and right banks LB and RB that make up the V-type engine. Hereinafter, the exhaust manifold 6 located on the left side of the V-bank, corresponding to the left cylinder row 15, will be referred to as the left exhaust manifold 6L. The exhaust manifold 6 located on the right side of the V-bank, corresponding to the right cylinder row 15, will be referred to as the right exhaust manifold 6R.

[0020] The supercharger 7 is located at the rear upper part of the engine 100. The supercharger 7 pressurizes and compresses air or air-fuel mixture supplied from outside the engine 100 and supplies it to the intake manifold 5 via the intercooler 8. The supercharger 7 is a turbocharger that is driven by exhaust gas supplied from the exhaust manifold 6.

[0021] The intercooler 8, which is connected to the intake manifold 5, is supplied with cooling water by the drive of the low-temperature water pump 16 to cool the intake air. The intake air supplied from the supercharger 7 is pressurized and compressed, generating compression heat and raising its temperature. The intercooler 8 cools the intake air by exchanging heat between the cooling water and the pressurized and compressed intake air. In other words, by providing the intercooler 8, the temperature of the intake air supplied to the intake manifold 5 can be adjusted to a desired temperature.

[0022] The supercharger 7, in detail, comprises a left supercharger 7L located on the left side of the engine 100 and a right supercharger 7R located on the right side of the engine 100. The left supercharger 7L supplies air (intake) to the left intake manifold 5L via the intercooler 8. The right supercharger 7R supplies air (intake) to the right intake manifold 5R via the intercooler 8. The exhaust gas collected in the left exhaust manifold 6L is exhausted to the outside via the left supercharger 7L. The exhaust gas collected in the right exhaust manifold 6R is exhausted to the outside via the right supercharger 7R.

[0023] The oil pan 2 is located below the cylinder block 11 and stores lubricating oil. The lubricating oil stored in the oil pan 2 is supplied to the various parts of the engine 100 that require lubrication.

[0024] <2. Overview of Fluid Flow> Next, an overview of the fluid flow in engine 100 will be described. The fluid includes coolant, lubricating oil, and blow-by gas. These will be described separately below. In this embodiment, the coolant is coolant water. However, the coolant may be a liquid other than water, such as antifreeze. Antifreeze is, for example, a liquid obtained by mixing pure water and ethylene glycol in a predetermined ratio.

[0025] [2-1. Coolant Flow] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the general flow of coolant in engine 100. Note that Figure 4 primarily shows the flow of coolant cooling the engine body 1. Coolant is supplied to the intercooler 8 by a separate cooling system from the one shown in Figure 4.

[0026] The coolant pump 21 shown in Figure 4 is a pump for supplying coolant to parts of the engine 100 that require cooling, such as the cylinder block 11 and the head block 12. In addition to the cylinder block 11 and the head block 12, parts of the engine 100 that require cooling may include the supercharger 7 and the oil cooler 32 described later. More specifically, the coolant pump 21 is a high-temperature water pump separate from the low-temperature water pump 16 that supplies coolant to the intercooler 8. The coolant pump 21 is driven by rotational power transmitted from the crankshaft via gears (not shown). In this embodiment, the coolant pump 21 is located on the front left side of the engine 100 (see Figure 2).

[0027] The coolant pump 21 drives the coolant into the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R. In other words, the engine 100 is equipped with a coolant pump 21 that discharges coolant to cool multiple (specifically two) cylinder rows 15. The coolant flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L cools the area around the cylinders 14 that make up the left bank LB and the head block 12. The coolant flowing through the right bank coolant passage 22R cools the area around the cylinders 14 that make up the right bank RB and the head block 12.

[0028] The coolant (return coolant) that has flowed through the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R is sent to the thermostat case 23. In this embodiment, the thermostat case 23 is located on the upper front side of the left side of the engine 100 (see Figure 1). The thermostat case 23 has a thermostat 23a inside. The thermostat 23a has the function of maintaining the temperature of the coolant near a set temperature. Specifically, due to the action of the thermostat 23a, the return coolant sent to the thermostat case 23 is sent to the coolant cooler 24 when cooling is required, and returned directly to the coolant pump 21 when cooling is not required.

[0029] The coolant cooler 24 cools the return coolant. The coolant cooler 24 is a heat exchanger that cools the return coolant using heat exchange. The return coolant that has passed through the coolant cooler 24 is sent to the coolant pump 21. The coolant cooler 24 may be liquid-cooled or air-cooled.

[0030] [2-2. Flow of Lubricating Oil] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the lubrication oil flow in engine 100. The lubrication oil pump 31 shown in Figure 5 is a pump for supplying lubrication oil to each part of engine 100 that requires lubrication. The lubrication oil pump 31 is driven by rotational power transmitted from the crankshaft via gears (not shown). Figure 5 shows only the flow of lubrication oil supplied to each part by the drive of the lubrication oil pump 31, and the flow of lubrication oil returning to the oil pan 2 is omitted. In this embodiment, the lubrication oil pump 31 is located on the front side of engine 100. In Figure 1, the lubrication oil pump 31 is hidden and not visible because it is located inside the oil pan 2.

[0031] The lubricating oil stored in the oil pan 2 is sent to the oil cooler 32 by the drive of the lubricating oil pump 31. In this embodiment, coolant is also supplied to the oil cooler 32 from the coolant pump 21. The lubricating oil supplied to the oil cooler 32 is cooled by heat exchange with the coolant. In this embodiment, the oil cooler 32 is located at the upper front of the engine 100 (see Figure 2).

[0032] In this embodiment, a portion of the lubricating oil drawn up by the lubricating oil pump 31 is sent to the centrifugal strainer 33, purified in the centrifugal strainer 33, and then returned to the oil pan 2. This allows for the purification of the oil in the oil pan 2. In this embodiment, the centrifugal strainer 33 is located on the left side of the engine 100 (see Figure 1).

[0033] The lubricating oil that has passed through the oil cooler 32 is sent to the oil filter device 34. The oil filter device 34 purifies the lubricating oil. In this embodiment, the oil filter device 34 is located on the front left side of the engine 100 (see Figure 2).

[0034] The lubricating oil purified by the oil filter device 34 is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulating valve 35 and sent to the main gallery 36 located in the engine body 1. The lubricating oil relieved by the pressure regulating valve 35 is returned to the oil pan 2. In this embodiment, the pressure regulating valve 35 is located on the front side of the left side of the engine 100.

[0035] More specifically, one main gallery 36 is provided for each of the left and right cylinder rows 15. In Figure 5, the two main galleries 36 are shown side by side for convenience, but in reality, the two main galleries 36 are arranged side by side. The lubricating oil sent to each main gallery 36 is distributed to the various parts of the engine body 1 that require lubrication, such as the pistons and crankshafts. The oil supplied from the main gallery 36 to the various parts of the engine body 1 is returned to the oil pan 2 as appropriate. In addition, the lubricating oil that has passed through one of the two main galleries 36 is supplied to the supercharger 7. More specifically, the lubricating oil is supplied to the left supercharger 7L and the right supercharger 7R. The oil that has passed through the other of the two main galleries 36 is supplied to the fuel pump 4. The oil supplied to the supercharger 7 and the fuel pump 4 is returned to the oil pan 2 as appropriate.

[0036] [2-3. Flow of Pro-Vector Gas] In engine 100, blow-by gas leaking from the combustion chamber is sent to the oil separator 41 through the inside of the cylinder block 11. The oil separator 41 removes oil components from the blow-by gas. In this embodiment, the oil separator 41 is located at the front upper part of engine 100 (see Figure 1).

[0037] The blow-by gas that has passed through the oil separator 41 is sent to the supercharger 7 via the blow-by gas pipe 42. The blow-by gas sent to the supercharger 7 is used as intake air. Specifically, the blow-by gas pipe 42 has a branching section 42a (see Figure 3) that divides the blow-by gas between the left supercharger 7L and the right supercharger 7R. After passing through the oil separator 41, some of the blow-by gas is sent to the left supercharger 7L via the branching section 42a, and the remainder is sent to the right supercharger 7R.

[0038] <3. Flow channel forming member> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the engine 100 includes a flow path forming member 50. The flow path forming member 50 is a member that contains a fluid flow path inside. The flow path forming member 50 is a member provided to simplify the fluid flow path in the engine 100. In this embodiment, as a preferred form, the flow path forming member 50 is positioned in a plan view at one end in the crankshaft direction of a cylinder block 11 having a plurality (specifically two) of cylinder rows 15. The crankshaft direction is the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft, and in this embodiment, it is the front-to-back direction.

[0039] The coolant pump 21 and the lubricating oil pump 31 are driven directly or indirectly by gears near the axial end of the crankshaft. For this reason, the coolant pump 21 and the lubricating oil pump 31 are positioned near one end of the cylinder block 11 in the crankshaft direction. If the flow path forming member 50 is positioned at one end of the cylinder block 11 in the crankshaft direction, the flow path forming member 50 and the coolant pump 21 and the lubricating oil pump 31 can be placed close together. As a result, for example, the amount of piping required to form the fluid passages can be reduced, making the engine 100 more compact and simpler.

[0040] In this embodiment, the coolant pump 21 is positioned on the same side of the cylinder block 11 as the flow path forming member 50 in the crankshaft direction. The lubricating oil pump 31 is also positioned on the same end side of the engine 100 in the crankshaft direction as the flow path forming member 50. More specifically, the flow path forming member 50 is positioned at the front end, which is one end of the cylinder block 11 in the front-rear direction, when viewed from above. The coolant pump 21 is also positioned on the front side of the cylinder block 11 in the crankshaft direction. The lubricating oil pump 31 is also positioned on the front end side of the engine 100, just like the flow path forming member 50.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic right side view showing the relationship between the flow path forming member 50 and the cylinder block 11. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the flow path forming member 50. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the flow path forming member 50 is rectangular in shape. The flow path forming member 50 is oriented so that its thickness direction is parallel to the front-rear direction and is attached to the cylinder block 11. In this embodiment, the flow path forming member 50 is directly attached to the cylinder block 11.

[0042] More specifically, the flow path forming member 50 is positioned in front of the cylinder block 11. The rear surface of the flow path forming member 50 and the front surface of the cylinder block 11 face each other in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the lower part of the flow path forming member 50 and the upper part of the cylinder block 11 overlap in the front-rear direction. The overlapping portions of the flow path forming member 50 and the cylinder block 11 are connected using fasteners such as bolts.

[0043] The flow path forming member 50 has a coolant flow path 51 through which coolant flows. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross-section at position VIII-VIII in Figure 6. The coolant flow path 51 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In Figures 7 and 8, the solid white arrows indicate the flow of coolant discharged from the coolant pump 21 toward the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R. Also in Figures 7 and 8, the dashed white arrows indicate the flow of return coolant after flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the flow path forming member 50 has a first coolant inlet 511 into which the coolant discharged from the coolant pump 21 enters. The first coolant inlet 511 is an opening provided on the front right side of the flow path forming member 50. The first coolant inlet 511 constitutes the coolant flow path 51.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the flow path forming member 50 has a first coolant space 512 inside that communicates with the first coolant inlet 511. The first coolant space 512 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. In detail, the first coolant space 512 includes a lateral coolant space 512a extending in the left-right direction and two vertical coolant spaces 512b and 512c extending in the up-down direction. The lateral coolant space 512a is connected to the first coolant inlet 511. Of the two vertical coolant spaces 512b and 512c, the left vertical coolant space 512b, located on the left side, has its upper end connected to the left end of the lateral coolant space 512a. Of the two vertical coolant spaces 512b and 512c, the right vertical coolant space 512c, located on the right side, has its upper end connected to the right end of the lateral coolant space 512a.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the flow path forming member 50 has a first coolant outlet 513 through which the coolant that has entered the interior from the first coolant inlet 511 flows out to the outside. The first coolant outlet 513 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. In detail, the first coolant outlet 513 is provided on the rear surface of the flow path forming member 50. The first coolant outlet 513 includes a left coolant outlet 513a and a right coolant outlet 513b. The left coolant outlet 513a is an opening provided on the lower left side of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 50. The right coolant outlet 513b is an opening provided on the lower right side of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0047] The left coolant outlet 513a is connected to the lower part of the left vertical coolant space 512b provided inside the flow path forming member 50. The right coolant outlet 513b is connected to the lower part of the right vertical coolant space 512c provided inside the flow path forming member 50.

[0048] A portion of the coolant that enters the first coolant space 512 from the first coolant inlet 511 flows out of the flow path forming member 50 through the left coolant outlet 513a via the lateral coolant space 512a and the left longitudinal coolant space 512b. Another portion of the coolant that enters the first coolant space 512 from the first coolant inlet 511 flows out of the flow path forming member 50 through the right coolant outlet 513b via the lateral coolant space 512a and the right longitudinal coolant space 512c. The coolant that flows out of the left coolant outlet 513a is sent to a coolant passage (not shown) for the left bank LB, which is located inside the cylinder block 11. The coolant that flows out of the right coolant outlet 513b is sent to a coolant passage (not shown) for the right bank RB, which is located inside the cylinder block 11.

[0049] As can be seen from the above, the flow path forming member 50 has a distribution flow path that distributes the coolant discharged from the coolant pump 21 to a plurality (specifically two) cylinder rows 15. The distribution flow path is composed of a first coolant space 512.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the flow path forming member 50 has a second coolant inlet 514 through which the return coolant, after flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R, enters. The second coolant inlet 514 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. The second coolant inlet 514 specifically includes a left coolant inlet 514a and a right coolant inlet 514b. The left coolant inlet 514a is an opening provided on the upper left side of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 50. The left coolant inlet 514a is connected to the left coolant pipe 25L (see Figure 3) through which the return coolant, after flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L, flows. The right coolant inlet 514b is an opening provided on the upper right side of the rear surface of the flow path forming member 50. The right coolant inlet 514b is connected to the right coolant pipe 25R (see Figure 3) through which the return coolant, after flowing through the right bank coolant passage 22R, flows.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the left coolant pipe 25L and the right coolant pipe 25R are positioned between the left bank LB and the right bank RB and extend in the front-to-back direction. The left coolant pipe 25L and the right coolant pipe 25R are positioned side by side in the left-to-right direction between the left bank LB and the right bank RB. The left coolant pipe 25L and the right coolant pipe 25R are at the same height in the vertical direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the flow path forming member 50 has a second coolant space 515 inside that communicates with the second coolant inlet 514. The second coolant space 515 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. In detail, the second coolant space 515 is connected to the left coolant inlet 514a and the right coolant inlet 514b. The second coolant space 515 extends in the left-right direction.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the flow path forming member 50 has a second coolant outlet 516 through which the return coolant that has entered the interior from the second coolant inlet 514 flows out to the outside. The second coolant outlet 516 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. In detail, the second coolant outlet 516 is provided on the upper part of the left side of the flow path forming member 50. The second coolant outlet 516 is provided at the left end of the second coolant space 515 and is connected to the second coolant space 515. In this embodiment, the second coolant outlet 516 is composed of three openings. The number of these openings is determined according to the number of thermostats 23a (see Figure 4) arranged in the thermostat case 23.

[0054] The return coolant that enters the interior of the flow path forming member 50 from the left coolant inlet 514a and the return coolant that enters the interior of the flow path forming member 50 from the right coolant inlet 514b merge in the second coolant space 515. The return coolant then flows through the second coolant space 515, passes through the second coolant outlet 516, and enters the thermostat case 23 attached to the left side of the flow path forming member 50.

[0055] As can be seen from the above, the flow path forming member 50 has a confluence flow path that combines the coolant after cooling multiple (specifically two) cylinder rows 15. The confluence flow path is composed of a second coolant space 515. The flow path forming member 50 in this embodiment performs both distribution and confluence of the coolant. As described above, since the flow path forming member 50 is positioned near the coolant pump 21, the distribution and confluence of the coolant are performed near the coolant pump 21. This makes it possible to make the flow path through which the coolant flows more compact and simpler. In other words, it is possible to make the engine 100 more compact and simpler. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost required to manufacture the engine 100.

[0056] Furthermore, the engine 100 is equipped with a thermostat case 23 through which the coolant flowing out from the confluence passage (second coolant space 515) passes. The thermostat case 23 is attached to the passage forming member 50. Specifically, the thermostat case 23 is directly attached to the passage forming member 50 using fasteners such as bolts. This configuration allows for a simple and compact coolant flow path.

[0057] The flow path forming member 50 further has a lubricating oil flow path 52 through which lubricating oil flows. Both the flow path forming member 50 and the lubricating oil pump 31 are located on the front side of the engine 100. Therefore, by providing the lubricating oil flow path 52 in the flow path forming member 50, it is possible to make the flow path through which the lubricating oil flows more compact and simpler. In addition, since the flow path forming member 50 is used as both a component of the coolant flow path and a component of the lubricating oil flow path, the engine 100 can be made more compact.

[0058] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross-section at position IX-IX in Figure 6. The lubricating oil passage 52 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. In Figures 7 to 9, the thick solid arrows indicate the flow of lubricating oil.

[0059] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the flow path forming member 50 has a first lubricating oil inlet 521, a second lubricating oil inlet 522, and a third lubricating oil inlet 523 on the lower left side. The first lubricating oil inlet 521, the second lubricating oil inlet 522, and the third lubricating oil inlet 523 are arranged in order from the bottom of the left side of the flow path forming member 50. These three lubricating oil inlets 521 to 523 are openings that constitute the lubricating oil flow path 52. The front-to-back positions of the first lubricating oil inlet 521 and the second lubricating oil inlet 522 are the same. The third lubricating oil inlet 523 is positioned behind the first lubricating oil inlet 521 and the second lubricating oil inlet 522.

[0060] The flow path forming member 50 has a first lubricating oil space 524 inside that communicates with the first lubricating oil inlet 521. The first lubricating oil space 524 constitutes the lubricating oil flow path 52. In detail, the first lubricating oil space 524 includes a first lateral lubricating oil space 524a and a first longitudinal lubricating oil space 524b (see Figures 8 and 9). The first lateral lubricating oil space 524a extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the first lateral lubricating oil space 524a is connected to the first lubricating oil inlet 521. The right end of the first lateral lubricating oil space 524a is located near the right side surface of the flow path forming member 50. The first longitudinal lubricating oil space 524b extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the first longitudinal lubricating oil space 524b is connected to the right end of the first lateral lubricating oil space 524a. The first longitudinal lubrication oil space 524b extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the first longitudinal lubrication oil space 524b connects to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0061] Furthermore, the flow path forming member 50 has a second lubricating oil space 525 inside that communicates with the second lubricating oil inlet 522. The second lubricating oil space 525 constitutes the lubricating oil flow path 52. In detail, the second lubricating oil space 525 includes a second lateral lubricating oil space 525a and a second longitudinal lubricating oil space 525b (see Figures 8 and 9). The second lateral lubricating oil space 525a extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the second lateral lubricating oil space 525a is connected to the second lubricating oil inlet 522. The right end of the second lateral lubricating oil space 525a is located to the left of the center of the flow path forming member 50 in the left-right direction. The second longitudinal lubricating oil space 525b extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the second longitudinal lubricating oil space 525b is connected to the right end of the second lateral lubricating oil space 525a. The second longitudinal lubrication oil space 525b extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the second longitudinal lubrication oil space 525b connects to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0062] Furthermore, the flow path forming member 50 has a third lubricating oil space 526 inside that communicates with the third lubricating oil inlet 523 (see Figure 8). The third lubricating oil space 526 constitutes the lubricating oil flow path 52. In detail, the third lubricating oil space 526 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the third lubricating oil space 526 is connected to the third lubricating oil inlet 523. The third lubricating oil space 526 extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the third lubricating oil space 526 is connected to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0063] Lubricating oil, regulated by the pressure regulating valve 35 (see Figure 5, etc.), enters the interior of the flow path forming member 50 through the first lubricating oil inlet 521 and the second lubricating oil inlet 522. The lubricating oil that enters from the first lubricating oil inlet 521 flows out to the outside from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50 through the first lateral lubricating oil space 524a and the first longitudinal lubricating oil space 524b. The lubricating oil that flows out to the outside is sent to the main gallery 36 for the cylinder row 15 on the right side of the cylinder block 11 via the gear case 37 (see Figure 1) located below the flow path forming member 50. The lubricating oil that enters from the second lubricating oil inlet 522 flows out to the outside from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50 through the second lateral lubricating oil space 525a and the second longitudinal lubricating oil space 525b. The lubricating oil that has leaked out is sent to the main gallery 36 for the cylinder row 15 on the left side of the cylinder block 11 via the gear case 37 located below the flow path forming member 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the lubricating oil relieved by the pressure regulating valve 35 (see Figure 5, etc.) enters the interior of the flow path forming member 50 from the third lubricating oil inlet 523. The lubricating oil that enters the interior from the third lubricating oil inlet 523 flows out to the outside from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50 through the third lubricating oil space 526. The lubricating oil that has flowed out to the outside is returned to the oil pan 2 via the gear case 37 located below the flow path forming member 50.

[0065] As can be seen from the above, the lubricating oil passage 52 of the passage forming member 50 includes a passage through which lubricating oil that has passed through the pressure regulating valve 35 flows in and out to at least one of the main gallery 36 and the oil pan 2. In this embodiment, the lubricating oil passage 52 of the passage forming member 50 includes a passage through which lubricating oil that has passed through the pressure regulating valve 35 flows out to the main gallery 36 and the oil pan 2.

[0066] The flow path forming member 50 further has a blow-by gas flow path 53 through which blow-by gas flows. Because the flow path forming member 50 is used as a member that constitutes at least one of the coolant flow path and lubricant flow path, and as a member that constitutes the blow-by gas flow path, the engine 100 can be made more compact. In this embodiment, the flow path forming member 50 is used as a member that constitutes the coolant flow path, a member that constitutes the lubricant flow path, and a member that constitutes the blow-by gas flow path.

[0067] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross-section at position XX in Figure 6. The blow-by gas flow path 53 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 10. In Figures 7 and 10, the thick dashed arrows indicate the blow-by gas flow.

[0068] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the flow path forming member 50 has a first blow-by gas space 531 at the lower part of its rear surface that is recessed toward the front. The first blow-by gas space 531 opens not only toward the rear but also toward downward. The first blow-by gas space 531 overlaps with the cylinder block 11 in the front-rear direction.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the flow path forming member 50 has a second blow-by gas space 532 inside that communicates with the first blow-by gas space 531. The second blow-by gas space 532 extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the second blow-by gas space 532 is connected to the first blow-by gas space 531. The second blow-by gas space 532 extends to the upper surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the second blow-by gas space 532 is connected to the outside at the upper surface of the flow path forming member 50. The first blow-by gas space 531 and the second blow-by gas space 532 constitute the blow-by gas flow path 53.

[0070] Blow-by gas leaking from the combustion chamber is sent to the first blow-by gas space 531 through the inside of the cylinder block 11. The blow-by gas sent to the first blow-by gas space 531 flows out to the outside from the upper surface of the flow path forming member 50 through the second blow-by gas space 532. The blow-by gas that has flowed out to the outside is sent to the oil separator 41 located above the flow path forming member 50.

[0071] <4. Things to keep in mind> Various technical features disclosed herein can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical creation. In other words, the embodiments described above should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Furthermore, the multiple embodiments and modifications shown herein may be combined as possible.

[0072] In the embodiments described above, the present invention is configured to be applied to a V-type engine. However, this is merely illustrative. The present invention can be broadly applied to engines having two cylinder rows, and can be applied to, for example, horizontally opposed engines in which the pistons reciprocate horizontally.

[0073] <5. Addendum> An exemplary engine in this specification may have a configuration (first configuration) comprising: a plurality of cylinder rows; a coolant pump for discharging coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows; a flow path forming member having a distribution flow path for distributing the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows; and a confluence flow path for converging the coolant after it has cooled the plurality of cylinder rows.

[0074] The engine of the first configuration described above may have a thermostat inside and a thermostat case through which the coolant flowing out from the confluence passage passes (second configuration).

[0075] In the engine of the second configuration described above, the thermostat case may be configured to be attached to the flow path forming member (third configuration).

[0076] In an engine with any of the first to third configurations described above, the flow path forming member may be configured to be positioned in a plan view at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block having the plurality of cylinder rows (fourth configuration).

[0077] In the engine of the fourth configuration described above, the coolant pump may be configured to be positioned on the same side of the cylinder block as the flow path forming member in the crankshaft direction (fifth configuration).

[0078] In an engine with any of the above configurations 1 to 5, the flow path forming member may have a configuration having a lubricating oil flow path (the sixth configuration).

[0079] In the engine of the sixth configuration described above, the lubricating oil passage may include a passage through which lubricating oil that has passed through the pressure regulating valve flows in and out to at least one of the main gallery and the oil pan (seventh configuration).

[0080] In an engine with any of the above configurations 1 to 7, the flow path forming member may have a blow-by gas flow path through which blow-by gas flows (configuration 8). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 2. Oil pan 11. Cylinder block 15... Cylinder row 21. Coolant pump 23. Thermostat case 23a... Thermostat 35. Pressure Regulating Valve 36. Main Gallery 50... Flow channel forming member 52...Lubricating oil flow path 53. Blow-by gas passage 100... Engine 512...First coolant space (distribution channel) 515...Second coolant space (confluence channel)

Claims

1. Multiple rows of cylinders, A coolant pump that discharges coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows, A flow path forming member having a distribution channel for distributing the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows, Equipped with, The flow path forming member is positioned in a plan view at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block having the plurality of cylinder rows in the engine.

2. The engine according to claim 1, wherein the coolant pump is positioned on the same side of the cylinder block as the flow path forming member in the crankshaft direction.

3. The engine according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming member has a lubricating oil flow path through which lubricating oil flows.

4. The engine according to claim 3, wherein the lubricating oil passage includes a passage through which lubricating oil that has passed through the pressure regulating valve flows in and out to at least one of the main gallery and the oil pan.

5. The engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow path forming member has a blow-by gas flow path through which blow-by gas flows.

6. The engine according to claim 1, wherein a member constituting at least one of the coolant passage through which the coolant flows and the lubricating oil passage through which the lubricating oil flows is used for both a coolant passage and a blow-by gas passage through which blow-by gas flows.

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