engine

Abstract

To provide a technology that can simplify a fluid passage included in an engine.SOLUTION: An engine includes: a plurality of cylinder rows; a coolant pump for discharging coolant for cooling the cylinder rows; a distribution flow passage for distributing the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the cylinder rows; and a flow passage formation member including a merging flow passage for merging the coolant after cooling the cylinder rows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system for a V-type engine. In this cooling system, a water pump is provided at one end of the engine in the crankshaft direction. Cooling water discharged from the water pump is supplied to a connecting pipe provided at the other end of the engine in the crankshaft direction. The cooling water supplied to the connecting pipe is distributed and supplied to the water jackets of both banks of the engine. The cooling water that passes through the water jackets of both banks is collected at one end of the crankshaft direction and returned to the cooling water pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-356131 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to the cylinder block and other components that make up the engine body, engines also have components such as a turbocharger and an intercooler that require a supply of coolant. Engines also require flow paths for fluids other than coolant, such as lubricating oil and blow-by gas. This can place strict constraints on the layout of fluid flow paths in engines.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can simplify the fluid flow paths provided in an engine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An exemplary engine of the present invention includes a plurality of cylinder rows, a coolant pump that discharges coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows, a distribution flow path that distributes the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows, and a flow path forming member having a confluence flow path that confluences the coolant after cooling the plurality of cylinder rows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fluid flow paths of the engine can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Left side view showing the general configuration of the engine [Figure 2] A front view showing the general configuration of the engine [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an engine. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the flow of coolant in an engine [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the flow of lubricating oil in an engine [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view showing the relationship between the flow passage forming member and the cylinder block. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flow path forming member; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 6; [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section taken along the line XX in FIG. 6; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] <1. Engine Overview> Fig. 1 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of an engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an engine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An overview of the engine 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0011] There is no intention to limit the type of engine 100, but it may be, for example, an engine used for generating electricity or a marine propulsion engine used to propel a marine vessel. The engine 100 is a diesel engine. The engine 100 generally 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, there are arranged a plurality of pistons (not shown) and a crankshaft (not shown) that is connected to each piston and extends in the front-to-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 from the engine 100.

[0013] The cylinder block 11 has a plurality of cylinders 14 (see FIG. 6 described later) lined up in the front-rear direction on each of the left and right sides. That is, the engine 100 has two cylinder banks 15 (see FIG. 6). Note that a configuration with two cylinder banks 15 is an example. The number of cylinder banks provided in the engine of the present invention may be any number other than two, as long as it is plural. The two cylinder banks 15 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged with a gap between them on the left and right. Each of the plurality of pistons is arranged in each cylinder 14. Note that the engine 100 is, as an example, a V12 engine, and the number of cylinders 14 lined up in the front-rear direction on each of the left and right sides is six.

[0014] The head blocks 12 are stacked above each cylinder 14. That is, the engine body 1 has six head blocks 12 lined up in the front-to-rear direction on each of the left and right sides. Each head block 12 has an intake port (not shown) for supplying gas to a combustion chamber formed by the cylinder 14, head block 12, and piston, and an exhaust port (not shown) for exhausting gas from the combustion chamber.

[0015] The head covers 13 are disposed above each head block 12. That is, the engine body 1 has six head covers 13 arranged in the front-to-rear direction on each of the left and right sides. Each head cover 13 covers an intake valve and an exhaust valve (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, which discharges fuel at high pressure, into the combustion chamber at appropriate timing. The piston reciprocates due to the force generated by the combustion of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. In this embodiment, the fuel pump 4 is disposed rearward on the left side of the engine 100.

[0016] The cylinder bank 15, head block 12, and head cover 13 provided on the left side of the engine 100 constitute a left bank LB. The cylinder bank 15, head block 12, and head cover 13 provided on the right side of the engine 100 constitute a 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 turbocharger 7, the details of which will be described later, to each cylinder (combustion chamber). Specifically, one intake manifold 5 is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the engine body 1, corresponding to each of the cylinder banks 15 arranged on the left and right. The left and right intake manifolds 5 both extend in the front-to-rear direction. Hereinafter, the intake manifold 5 provided on the left side corresponding to the left cylinder bank 15 will be referred to as the left intake manifold 5L. The intake manifold 5 provided on the right side corresponding to the right cylinder bank 15 will be referred to as the right intake manifold 5R.

[0019] The exhaust manifold 6 collects the exhaust from each cylinder 14 (combustion chamber). More specifically, two exhaust manifolds 6 are arranged corresponding to the cylinder banks 15 arranged on the left and right sides. Both of the two exhaust manifolds 6 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The two exhaust manifolds 6 are arranged side by side on the left and right inside a V-bank formed by the left and right banks LB and RB that make up the V-engine. Hereinafter, the exhaust manifold 6 arranged on the left side of the V-bank corresponding to the left cylinder bank 15 will be referred to as the left exhaust manifold 6L. The exhaust manifold 6 arranged on the right side of the V-bank corresponding to the right cylinder bank 15 will be referred to as the right exhaust manifold 6R.

[0020] The supercharger 7 is disposed at the rear upper portion of the engine 100. The supercharger 7 pressurizes and compresses air or an air-fuel mixture supplied from outside the engine 100, and supplies the compressed air to the intake manifold 5 via an intercooler 8. The supercharger 7 is a turbocharger that uses exhaust gas supplied from the exhaust manifold 6 as its driving source.

[0021] The intercooler 8 connected to the intake manifold 5 is supplied with cooling water by driving a low-temperature water pump 16, and cools the intake air. The intake air supplied from the turbocharger 7 is pressurized and compressed, generating heat of compression and increasing 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] Specifically, the turbocharger 7 has a left turbocharger 7L provided on the left side of the engine 100 and a right turbocharger 7R provided on the right side of the engine 100. The left turbocharger 7L supplies air and the like (intake air) to the left intake manifold 5L via an intercooler 8. The right turbocharger 7R supplies air and the like (intake air) to the right intake manifold 5R via an intercooler 8. Exhaust gas collected in the left exhaust manifold 6L is exhausted to the outside via the left turbocharger 7L. Exhaust gas collected in the right exhaust manifold 6R is exhausted to the outside via the right turbocharger 7R.

[0023] The oil pan 2 is disposed below the cylinder block 11 and stores lubricating oil. The lubricating oil stored in the oil pan 2 is supplied to each part of the engine 100 that requires lubrication.

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

[0025] [2-1. Coolant flow] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the flow of coolant in engine 100. Fig. 4 mainly shows the flow of coolant that cools engine body 1. Coolant is supplied to intercooler 8 by a cooling system separate from the cooling system shown in Fig. 4.

[0026] The coolant pump 21 shown in FIG. 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, the parts of the engine 100 that require cooling may also include the turbocharger 7 and an oil cooler 32, which will be described later. More specifically, the coolant pump 21 is a high-temperature water pump that is 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 a gear (not shown). In this embodiment, the coolant pump 21 is disposed on the front left side of the engine 100 (see FIG. 2).

[0027] Coolant pump 21 is driven to deliver coolant to left bank coolant passage 22L and right bank coolant passage 22R. That is, engine 100 is equipped with coolant pump 21 that discharges coolant to cool multiple (specifically, two) cylinder banks 15. The coolant flowing through left bank coolant passage 22L cools the areas around cylinders 14 that constitute left bank LB and head block 12. The coolant flowing through right bank coolant passage 22R cools the areas around cylinders 14 that constitute right bank RB and head block 12.

[0028] The coolant (return coolant) after flowing 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 at the front upper part of the left side of the engine 100 (see FIG. 1). The thermostat case 23 has a thermostat 23a inside. The thermostat 23a has the function of maintaining the coolant temperature near a set temperature. More 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, or is 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 by 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 a liquid-cooled type or an air-cooled type.

[0030] [2-2. Flow of lubricating oil] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the flow of lubricating oil in engine 100. Lubricating oil pump 31 shown in FIG. 5 is a pump for supplying lubricating oil to various parts of engine 100 that require lubrication. Lubricating oil pump 31 is driven by rotational power transmitted from the crankshaft via gears (not shown). FIG. 5 only shows the flow of lubricating oil supplied to various parts by the drive of lubricating oil pump 31, and does not show the flow of lubricating oil returning to the oil pan 2. In this embodiment, lubricating oil pump 31 is disposed on the front side of engine 100. In FIG. 1, lubricating oil pump 31 is hidden 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 driving the lubricating oil pump 31. In this embodiment, coolant is sent to the oil cooler 32 from the coolant pump 21. The lubricating oil sent to the oil cooler 32 is cooled by heat exchange with the coolant. In this embodiment, the oil cooler 32 is disposed above the front of the engine 100 (see FIG. 2).

[0032] In this embodiment, a portion of the lubricating oil pumped up by the lubricating oil pump 31 is sent to the centrifugal strainer 33, where it is purified before being returned to the oil pan 2. This enables the oil in the oil pan 2 to be purified. In this embodiment, the centrifugal strainer 33 is disposed on the left side of the engine 100 (see FIG. 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 disposed on the front left side of the engine 100 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] The lubricating oil purified by the oil filter device 34 is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulating valve 35 and sent to a main gallery 36 provided 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] Specifically, one main gallery 36 is provided for each of the left and right cylinder banks 15. Note that in FIG. 5 , the two main galleries 36 are shown lined up one above the other for convenience, but in reality, the two main galleries 36 are lined up left and right. The lubricating oil sent to each main gallery 36 is distributed to each part of the engine body 1 that requires lubrication, such as the pistons and crankshaft. The oil supplied from the main gallery 36 to each part of the engine body 1 is returned to the oil pan 2 as appropriate. Furthermore, the lubricating oil that passes through one of the two main galleries 36 is supplied to the turbocharger 7. Specifically, the lubricating oil is supplied to the left turbocharger 7L and the right turbocharger 7R. The oil that passes through the other of the two main galleries 36 is supplied to the fuel pump 4. The oil supplied to the turbocharger 7 and the fuel pump 4 is returned to the oil pan 2 as appropriate.

[0036] [2-3. Flow of probe gas] In the engine 100, blow-by gas leaking from the combustion chamber passes through the inside of the cylinder block 11 and is sent to the oil separator 41. The oil separator 41 removes oil components from the blow-by gas. In this embodiment, the oil separator 41 is disposed on the upper front side of the engine 100 (see FIG. 1).

[0037] The blow-by gas that has passed through the oil separator 41 is sent to the turbocharger 7 through a blow-by gas pipe 42. The blow-by gas sent to the turbocharger 7 is used as intake air. In detail, the blow-by gas pipe 42 has a branching section 42a (see FIG. 3) that distributes the blow-by gas to the left turbocharger 7L and the right turbocharger 7R. A portion of the blow-by gas that has passed through the oil separator 41 is sent to the left turbocharger 7L and the remainder is sent to the right turbocharger 7R via the branching section 42a.

[0038] <3. Flow path forming member> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the engine 100 includes a flow path forming member 50. The flow path forming member 50 is a member that includes a fluid flow path therein. The flow path forming member 50 is provided to simplify the fluid flow path in the engine 100. In the present embodiment, as a preferred form, the flow path forming member 50 is disposed at one end in the crankshaft direction of the cylinder block 11 that has a plurality of (specifically, two) cylinder banks 15 in a plan view. The crankshaft direction is the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft, which is the front-to-rear direction in the present embodiment.

[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 disposed near one end of the crankshaft of the cylinder block 11. If the flow path forming member 50 is configured to be disposed at one end of the crankshaft of the cylinder block 11, the flow path forming member 50 and the coolant pump 21 and the lubricating oil pump 31 can be disposed close to each other. As a result, for example, the amount of piping required to form fluid passages can be reduced, allowing the engine 100 to be made more compact and simpler.

[0040] In this embodiment, the coolant pump 21 is disposed on the same side of the cylinder block 11 in the crankshaft direction as the flow path forming member 50. The lubricating oil pump 31 is disposed 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 disposed at the front end, which is one end of the cylinder block 11 in the front-to-rear direction, in a plan view from above. The coolant pump 21 is also disposed on the front side of the cylinder block 11 in the crankshaft direction. The lubricating oil pump 31 is also disposed on the front end side of the engine 100, as is the flow path forming member 50.

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

[0042] Specifically, the flow path forming member 50 is disposed in front of the cylinder block 11. The rear surface of the flow path forming member 50 faces the front surface of the cylinder block 11 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the lower part of the flow path forming member 50 overlaps with the upper part of the cylinder block 11 in the front-rear direction. The overlapping portions of the flow path forming member 50 and the cylinder block 11 are then connected using fasteners such as bolts.

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

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

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8 , the flow path forming member 50 has a first coolant space 512 therein that communicates with the first coolant inlet 511. The first coolant space 512 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. Specifically, the first coolant space 512 includes a horizontal coolant space 512a extending in the left-right direction and two vertical coolant spaces 512b and 512c extending in the up-down direction. The horizontal 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 has its upper end connected to the left end of the horizontal coolant space 512a. Of the two vertical coolant spaces 512b and 512c, the right vertical coolant space 512c has its upper end connected to the right end of the horizontal coolant space 512a.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7 , the flow path forming member 50 has a first coolant outlet 513 through which the coolant that has entered the interior through the first coolant inlet 511 flows out to the exterior. 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 passes through the horizontal coolant space 512a and the left vertical coolant space 512b and then flows out from the left coolant outlet 513a to the outside of the flow path forming member 50. Another portion of the coolant that enters the first coolant space 512 from the first coolant inlet 511 passes through the horizontal coolant space 512a and the right vertical coolant space 512c and then flows out from the right coolant outlet 513b to the outside of the flow path forming member 50. The coolant that flows out from the left coolant outlet 513a to the coolant passage (not shown) for the left bank LB provided inside the cylinder block 11. The coolant that flows out from the right coolant outlet 513b to the coolant passage (not shown) for the right bank RB provided 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 multiple (specifically, two) cylinder banks 15. The distribution flow path is defined by the first coolant space 512.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the flow path forming member 50 has a second coolant inlet 514 through which the return coolant enters after flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L and the right bank coolant passage 22R. The second coolant inlet 514 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. Specifically, the second coolant inlet 514 includes a left coolant inlet 514a and a right coolant inlet 514b. The left coolant inlet 514a is an opening provided in the upper left portion 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 FIG. 3) through which the return coolant flows after flowing through the left bank coolant passage 22L. The right coolant inlet 514b is an opening provided in the upper right portion 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 FIG. 3) through which the return coolant flows after flowing through the right bank coolant passage 22R.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 3, the left coolant pipe 25L and the right coolant pipe 25R are disposed between the left bank LB and the right bank RB and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The left coolant pipe 25L and the right coolant pipe 25R are disposed 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 positioned at the same height in the up-down direction.

[0052] 8, the flow path forming member 50 has therein a second coolant space 515 that communicates with the second coolant inlet 514. The second coolant space 515 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. More specifically, 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] 7 and 8, the flow path forming member 50 has a second coolant outlet 516 through which the return coolant that has entered the inside through the second coolant inlet 514 flows out to the outside. The second coolant outlet 516 constitutes the coolant flow path 51. More specifically, the second coolant outlet 516 is provided at the upper part of the left side surface 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 openings is determined depending on the number of thermostats 23a (see FIG. 4) arranged in the thermostat case 23.

[0054] The return coolant that has entered the inside of the flow path forming member 50 from the left coolant inlet 514a and the return coolant that has entered the inside of the flow path forming member 50 from the right coolant inlet 514b join together in the second coolant space 515. The return coolant then flows through the second coolant space 515 and passes through the second coolant outlet 516, and enters the thermostat case 23 attached to the left side surface 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 flows after cooling multiple (specifically, two) cylinder banks 15. The confluence flow path is formed by the second coolant space 515. The flow path forming member 50 of this embodiment both distributes and combines the coolant flows. As described above, the flow path forming member 50 is disposed near the coolant pump 21, and therefore the distribution and combination of the coolant occurs near the coolant pump 21. This makes it possible to make the flow paths 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] The engine 100 also includes a thermostat case 23 through which the coolant flowing out from the merging flow path (second coolant space 515) passes. The thermostat case 23 is attached to the flow path forming member 50. More specifically, the thermostat case 23 is attached directly to the flow path forming member 50 using fasteners such as bolts. This configuration allows the coolant flow path to be configured simply and compactly.

[0057] The flow path forming member 50 further has a lubricating oil flow path 52 through which the lubricating oil flows. Both the flow path forming member 50 and the lubricating oil pump 31 are disposed 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 easily make the flow path through which the lubricating oil flows compact and simple. Furthermore, because the flow path forming member 50 serves as both a component that constitutes the coolant flow path and a component that constitutes the lubricating oil flow path, it is possible to make the engine 100 more compact.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 6. The lubricant oil flow path 52 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. In Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, thick solid arrows indicate the flow of lubricant oil.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the flow path forming member 50 has a first lubricant oil inlet 521, a second lubricant oil inlet 522, and a third lubricant oil inlet 523 on the lower side of the left side surface. The first lubricant oil inlet 521, the second lubricant oil inlet 522, and the third lubricant oil inlet 523 are arranged in this order from bottom to top on the left side surface of the flow path forming member 50. These three lubricant oil inlets 521 to 523 are openings that constitute the lubricant oil flow path 52. The first lubricant oil inlet 521 and the second lubricant oil inlet 522 are positioned at the same position in the front-to-rear direction. The third lubricant oil inlet 523 is arranged shifted rearward from the first lubricant oil inlet 521 and the second lubricant oil inlet 522.

[0060] The flow path forming member 50 has a first lubricant space 524 therein that communicates with the first lubricant inlet 521. The first lubricant space 524 constitutes the lubricant flow path 52. Specifically, the first lubricant space 524 includes a first horizontal lubricant space 524a and a first vertical lubricant space 524b (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The first horizontal lubricant space 524a extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the first horizontal lubricant space 524a is connected to the first lubricant inlet 521. The right end of the first horizontal lubricant space 524a is located near the right side surface of the flow path forming member 50. The first vertical lubricant space 524b extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the first vertical lubricant space 524b is connected to the right end of the first horizontal lubricant space 524a. The first longitudinal lubricant space 524b extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the first longitudinal lubricant space 524b is connected to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0061] The flow path forming member 50 also has a second lubricant space 525 therein that communicates with the second lubricant inlet 522. The second lubricant space 525 constitutes the lubricant flow path 52. Specifically, the second lubricant space 525 includes a second lateral lubricant space 525a and a second longitudinal lubricant space 525b (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The second lateral lubricant space 525a extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the second lateral lubricant space 525a is connected to the second lubricant inlet 522. The right end of the second lateral lubricant 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 lubricant space 525b extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the second longitudinal lubricant space 525b is connected to the right end of the second lateral lubricant space 525a. The second longitudinal lubricant space 525b extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the second longitudinal lubricant space 525b is connected to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0062] The flow path forming member 50 also has a third lubricant space 526 therein that communicates with the third lubricant inlet 523 (see FIG. 8). The third lubricant space 526 constitutes the lubricant flow path 52. Specifically, the third lubricant space 526 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the third lubricant space 526 is connected to the third lubricant inlet 523. The third lubricant space 526 extends to the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. That is, the third lubricant space 526 is connected to the outside at the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50.

[0063] Lubricant oil whose pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulating valve 35 (see FIG. 5, etc.) enters the inside of the flow path forming member 50 through the first lubricant inlet 521 and the second lubricant inlet 522. The lubricant oil that entered the inside from the first lubricant inlet 521 passes through the first horizontal lubricant space 524a and the first vertical lubricant space 524b and flows out from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50 to the outside. The lubricant oil that flows out to the outside is sent to the main gallery 36 for the cylinder bank 15 on the right side of the cylinder block 11 via the gear case 37 (see FIG. 1) arranged below the flow path forming member 50. The lubricant oil that entered the inside from the second lubricant inlet 522 passes through the second horizontal lubricant space 525a and the second vertical lubricant space 525b and flows out from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50 to the outside. The lubricating oil that has flowed out to the outside is sent to the main gallery 36 for the cylinder bank 15 on the left side of the cylinder block 11 via a gear case 37 arranged below the flow path forming member 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the lubricating oil relieved by the pressure regulating valve 35 (see FIG. 5, etc.) enters the inside of the flow path forming member 50 through the third lubricating oil inlet 523. The lubricating oil that has entered the inside through the third lubricating oil inlet 523 passes through the third lubricating oil space 526 and is discharged to the outside from the lower surface of the flow path forming member 50. The lubricating oil that has discharged to the outside is returned to the oil pan 2 through the gear case 37 that is arranged below the flow path forming member 50.

[0065] As can be seen from the above, the lubricating oil flow path 52 of the flow path forming member 50 includes a flow path through which the lubricating oil that has passed through the pressure regulating valve 35 flows and through which the inflowing lubricating oil flows out to at least one of the main gallery 36 and the oil pan 2. In this embodiment, the lubricating oil flow path 52 of the flow path forming member 50 includes a flow path through which the 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. Since the flow path forming member 50 serves as a member that forms a flow path for at least one of the coolant and the lubricating oil, and as a member that forms a flow path for the blow-by gas, it is possible to make the engine 100 more compact. In this embodiment, the flow path forming member 50 serves as a member that forms a flow path for the coolant, a member that forms a flow path for the lubricating oil, and a member that forms a flow path for the blow-by gas.

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

[0068] 7 and 10, the passage-forming member 50 has a first blow-by gas space 531 recessed forward in the lower part of its rear surface. The first blow-by gas space 531 is open not only rearward but also downward. The first blow-by gas space 531 overlaps with the cylinder block 11 in the front-rear direction.

[0069] 10, the passage forming member 50 has therein a second blow-by gas space 532 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 passage forming member 50. That is, the second blow-by gas space 532 is connected to the outside at the upper surface of the passage forming member 50. The first blow-by gas space 531 and the second blow-by gas space 532 form the blow-by gas passage 53.

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

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

[0072] In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a V-type engine. However, this is merely an example. The present invention can be widely applied to engines with two cylinder banks, such as horizontally opposed engines in which pistons reciprocate horizontally.

[0073] <5. Notes> An exemplary engine in this specification may have a configuration (first configuration) including a plurality of cylinder rows, a coolant pump that discharges coolant to cool the plurality of cylinder rows, a distribution flow path that distributes the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows, and a flow path forming member having a confluence flow path that confluences the coolant after cooling the plurality of cylinder rows.

[0074] The engine of the first configuration may be configured (second configuration) to include a thermostat case that has a thermostat therein and through which the coolant flowing out from the junction flow path passes.

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

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

[0077] In the engine of the fourth configuration, the coolant pump may be arranged on the same side of the cylinder block as the passage-forming member in the crankshaft direction (fifth configuration).

[0078] In the engine of any one of the first to fifth configurations, the passage-forming member may have a lubricating oil passage through which lubricating oil flows (sixth configuration).

[0079] In the engine of the sixth configuration, the lubricating oil flow path may be configured (seventh configuration) to include a flow path into which lubricating oil that has passed through a pressure regulating valve flows and from which the flowed-in lubricating oil flows out to at least one of a main gallery and an oil pan.

[0080] In the engine of any one of the first to seventh configurations, the passage-forming member may have a blow-by gas passage through which blow-by gas flows (eighth configuration). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 2. Oil pan 11. Cylinder block 15. Cylinder train 21 Coolant pump 23 Thermostat case 23a···Thermostat 35 Pressure regulating valve 36 Main Gallery 50 Flow path 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 passage)

Claims

1. a plurality of rows of cylinders; a coolant pump that discharges a coolant for cooling the plurality of cylinder rows; a flow path forming member having a distribution flow path that distributes the coolant discharged from the coolant pump to the plurality of cylinder rows, and a confluence flow path that confluences the coolant after cooling the plurality of cylinder rows; Equipped with the passage forming member is disposed, in a plan view, at one end in the crankshaft direction of a cylinder block having the plurality of cylinder rows.

2. The engine according to claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat case having a thermostat therein and through which the coolant flowing out from the joining flow passage passes.

3. The engine according to claim 2 , wherein the thermostat case is attached to the flow passage forming member.

4. 2. The engine according to claim 1, wherein the coolant pump is disposed on the same side of the cylinder block as the passage-forming member in the crankshaft direction.

5. The engine according to claim 1 , wherein the passage-forming member has a lubricating oil passage through which lubricating oil flows.

6. 6. The engine according to claim 5, wherein the lubricating oil passage includes a passage into which the lubricating oil that has passed through a pressure regulating valve flows and through which the lubricating oil that has flowed in flows out to at least one of a main gallery and an oil pan.

7. The engine according to claim 1 , wherein the passage forming member has a blow-by gas passage through which blow-by gas flows.

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