An internal combustion engine

Abstract

The present invention discloses an internal combustion engine (10). The internal combustion engine (10) includes a crankcase (110)with a crank chamber (120) to house at least a crankshaft assembly (122)of the internal combustion engine (10). An oil sump (130) is provided with the crankcase (110)for storing oil, and one or more openings (140) are provided in the crank chamber (120). The internal combustion engine (10) further has one or more guide plates (160) configured with the crankcase (110). The one or more guide plates (160)are configured to allow air and oil mixture in the crank chamber (120) to hit the one or more guide plates (160)before entering the one or more openings (140), thereby separating the oil from the air and oil mixture and restricting direct entry of air and oil mixture from the crank chamber (120) into the one or more openings (140).

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION

[0002] AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0002] Generally, in conventional motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, especially with internal combustion engines having a higher volume or higher CC, the crank chamber that houses the crankshaft, piston and the connecting rod is provided in a closed manner, meaning that the crank chamber is isolated from the environment. In such a closed crank chamber configuration, creating negative pressure within the crank chamber helps increase engine performance by allowing the piston to move with less resistance, which results in more power generation.

[0007]

[0003] In all internal combustion engines, engine oil is stored in the oil sump of the crankcase and is used for lubricating and cooling the parts in the engine. The oil is supplied by a feed oil pump from the oil sump, and the oil moves within the engine to cool and lubricate different parts before flowing back towards the bottom of the engine towards the oil sump. This returning oil flows towards the crankshaft, which is capable of rotating at very high RPMs. Due to the rotation of the crankshaft, air is generated because of the higher speed of the crankshaft. While return, when the lubrication oil enters the crank chamber, the oil gets mixed directly with the air present in the crank chamber, thus creating an oil-air mixture.

[0008]

[0004] In engines with higher CC, another pump that is a scavenging pump is used, which sucks out oil from the crank chamber and sends towards the oil sump, thus circulating oil as well as reducing the pressure inside the crank chamber. If the oil and air mixture is directly sent to the scavenging pump, the efficiency of the scavenging pump gets reduced, and consequently performance of the engine reduces. This also, This can also lead to issues such as air locking in the scavenging pump, leading to the operation of the scavenging pump being ceased.

[0009]

[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for an internal combustion engine which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards an internal combustion engine. Specifically, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine has a crankcase having a crank chamber configured to house at least a crankshaft assembly of the internal combustion engine. An oil sump is provided with the crankcase for storing oil, such as lubrication oil or cooling oil. One or more openings are provided in the crank chamber. The internal combustion engine has one or more guide plates configured with the crankcase. The one or more guide plates are configured to allow air / gas and oil mixture in the crank chamber to hit the one or more guide plates before entering the one or more openings, thereby separating the oil from the air / gas and oil mixture and restricting direct entry of air and oil mixture from the crank chamber into the one or more openings. For instance, the air and oil mixture can mixture of any gas and oil.

[0012]

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine has a first pump having an inlet. The inlet is in fluid communication to the one or more openings. The first pump is configured to suck the oil from the crank chamber.

[0013]

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings are provided in the crank chamber for allowing the separated oil to exit the crank chamber.

[0014]

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the crankcase has an upper crankcase half member and a lower crankcase half member. The crank chamber is defined between the upper crankcase half member and the lower crankcase half member.

[0015]

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings are provided in the lower crankcase half member. [Oi l] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings and the one or more guide plates are configured below the crankshaft assembly.

[0016]

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more guide plates are provided below the crankshaft assembly and above the one or more openings, thereby restricting direct entry of the air and oil mixture from the crank chamber to the inlet of the first pump.

[0017]

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more guide plates are coupled to an inner surface of the lower crankcase half member in the crank chamber.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more guide plates are disposed in an inclined orientation, thereby allowing oil separated from the air and oil mixture after hitting the one or more guide plates to be guided towards the one or more openings.

[0018]

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more guide plates are configured to define one or more gaps between the one or more guide plates and the inner surface of the lower crankcase half. The gaps create one or more oil flow paths for allowing separated oil, from air and oil mixture after hitting the one or more guide plates, to enter the one or more openings.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]

[0016] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates a side sectional view of the internal combustion engine along section A- A’ illustrated in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates an internal combustion engine depicting internal parts of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates another sectional view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates another sectional view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates an internal combustion engine depicting arrangements of guide plates, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027]

[0017] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine of the present invention is typically used in a vehicle such as a two wheeled vehicle. However, it should be understood that the internal combustion engine as illustrated may find its application in a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles, or any nonautomotive application using an internal combustion engine as required.

[0028]

[0018] Figures 1 illustrates a top view of an internal combustion engine 10 and Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the internal combustion engine 10 along section A-A’ as illustrated in Figure 1. As illustrated, the internal combustion engine 10 comprises a crankcase 110. The crankcase 110 is configured to house various fixed and rotary component of the internal combustion engine 10. Specifically, the crankcase 110 has a crank chamber 120. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, the crankcase 110 has an upper crankcase half member 110A and a lower crankcase half member HOB, wherein the crank chamber 120 is defined between the upper crankcase half member 110A and the lower crankcase half member HOB. The crank chamber 120 is provided at least in the upper crankcase half member 110A and the lower crankcase half member HOB. For instance, at least a portion of the crank chamber 120 is provided in the upper crankcase half member 110 A, and at least another portion of the crank chamber 120 is provided in the lower crankcase half member HOB.

[0029]

[0019] The crank chamber 120 is configured to house at least a crankshaft assembly 122 of the internal combustion engine 10. In an embodiment, the crankshaft assembly 122 comprises a crankshaft 122A (shown in Figure 3) attached to one or more pistons 122B (shown in Figure 3) through one or more connecting rods 122C (shown in Figure 3). The crankshaft assembly 122 further has one or more crank webs 122D (shown in Figure 3) attached to the crankshaft 122 A, wherein the crank webs 122D are arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0030]

[0020] The internal combustion engine 10 further has an oil sump 130. The oil sump 130 is provided with the crankcase 110 for storing oil. In an embodiment, the oil sump 130 is provided in an integrated manner with the crankcase 110 and the oil sump 130 is provided at a bottom portion of the crankcase 110. In an alternative embodiment, the oil sump 130 is provided separately from the crankcase 110 and is provided below the crankcase 110 in the form of an oil pan placed below the crankcase 110.

[0031]

[0021] In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine 10 comprises a first pump 150 and a second pump (not shown). Specifically, the second pump is an oil pump that is configured to pump the oil from the oil sump 130 for the oil to travel to different parts of the engine, before returning to the oil sump 130 through the crank chamber 120 after lubricating and colling the different parts of the engine such as but not limited to the crankshaft assembly 122.

[0032]

[0022] For allowing the return of oil from the crank chamber 120 towards the oil sump 130, the internal combustion engine 10 has one or more openings 140 provided in the crank chamber 120. When the oil enters the crank chamber 120 while return from the cylinder head area of the engine, the oil gets mixed with the air and / or gases present in the crank chamber 120. . In an embodiment, the one or more openings 140 are provided in the lower crankcase half member 110B to allow flow of the oil to the oil sump 130 from the crank chamber 120. The oil needs to be separated from the air and oil mixture. For instance, the air and oil mixture can a mixture of gases and oil. To facilitate this separation, the internal combustion engine 10 has one or more guide plates 160 configured with the crankcase 110. Herein, the one or more guide plates 160 are configured to allow air and oil mixture from the crank chamber 120 to hit the one or more guide plates 160 before entering the one or more openings 140. The hitting of the air and oil mixture on the one or more guide plates 160 causes separation of the oil from the air and oil mixture before flowing of the air and oil mixture into the one or more openings 140.

[0033]

[0023] Further, provision of the one or more guide plates 160 restricts direct entry of air and oil mixture from the crank chamber 120 into the one or more openings 140. Thus, by the provision of the one or more guide plates 160 in the crank chamber 120, the direct entry of air and oil mixture into the one or more openings 140 is prevented and the oil is separated from the air and oil mixture and flow into the one or more openings 140 in the crankcase. Thus, the one or more openings 140 in the crankcase 110 receive the oil separated from the air and oil mixture, which then exits the crank chamber 120. In an embodiment, the one or more openings 140 and the one or more guide plates 160 are configured below the crankshaft assembly 122, thus allowing the returning oil in the crank chamber 120 to hit the one or more guide plates 160 and enter the one or more openings 140 assisted by gravity. In an embodiment, the number of guide plates 160 can be equal to the number of pistons 122B in the crankshaft assembly 122, and each guide plate 160 can be provided below each piston 122B of the crankshaft assembly 122. For example, if the crankshaft assembly 122 comprises two pistons 122B, there can be two or more guide plates 160 provided, at least one guide plate 160 being provided below each piston 122B of the crankshaft assembly 122.

[0034]

[0024] In an embodiment, the first pump 150 is a suction pump that is configured to suck oil from the crank chamber 120 before the oil returns to the oil sump 130. In that, an inlet 150A of the first pump 150 is in fluid communication with the one or more openings 140. The provision of the first pump 150 and the suction of the oil from the crank chamber 120 also allows for reduction of pressure within the crank chamber 120 to create negative pressure in the crank chamber 120, which allows the pistons 122B to move with less resistance and at higher RPM, thus generate more power. The provision of the one or more guide plates 160 ensures that when the oil is sucked by the first pump 150, oil is separated from the air / gas and oil mixture before the oil reaches from the crank chamber 120 to the first pump 150. This allows for prevention of entry of any air or gases into the first pump 150, which prevents deterioration of performance of the first pump 150, and thus improves performance of the engine 10 and also prevents air locking of the first pump 150.

[0035]

[0025] Herein, as illustrated in the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the one or more guide plates 160 are provided below the crankshaft assembly 122 and above the one or more openings 140, thereby separating oil from the air / gas and oil mixture as well as acting as a barrier for restricting direct entry of the air and oil mixture from the crank chamber 120 to the one or more openings 140 and thus the inlet 150A of the first pump 150.

[0036]

[0026] In an embodiment, the first pump 150 sucks the oil from the crank chamber 120 and supplies this oil to the oil sump 130, which is then circulated back to the other parts, such as but not limited to cylinder head and cylinder block, crankshaft assembly 122, of the engine by means of the second pump.

[0037]

[0027] In another embodiment, the first pump 150 sucks the oil from the crank chamber 120, and transmits this oil towards a transmission area 124 of the internal combustion engine 10 which houses a transmission assembly 124 A, as shown in Figure. 2. The oil thus lubricates and cools the transmission assembly 124A and then returns to the oil sump 130 via a dedicated oil path.

[0038]

[0028] As illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 5 and Figure 6, the one or more guide plates 160 are coupled to an inner surface HOB’ of the lower crankcase half member 110B in the crank chamber 120. In an embodiment, the one or more guide plates 160 are fastened to the inner surface HOB’ of the lower crankcase half member 110B by means of one or more fasteners. Herein, the fasteners are configured to pass through a through hole on the one or more guide plates 160 and be fastened to the inner surface HOB’ of the lower crankcase half member HOB. This means that the one or more guide plates 160 are capable of being an external component that is fastened or coupled with the inner surface HOB’ of the lower crankcase half member HOB, and thus the one or more guide plates 160 are configured in the crankcase 110 with very minimal modification.

[0039]

[0029] As further illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6, to allow the oil being separated from the air and oil mixture on hitting the one or more guide plates 160 to keep flowing, the one or more guide plates 160 are disposed in an inclined orientation. The inclined orientation of the one or more guide plates 160 thereby allows oil separated from the air and oil mixture after hitting the one or more guide plates 160 to be guided towards the one or more openings 140 assisted by gravity. The inclined orientation also ensures that oil does not accumulate on the one or more guide plates 160 after separation from the air and oil mixture.

[0040]

[0030] To allow continuous flow of oil, the one or more guide plates 160 are configured so as to define one or more gaps (G) between the one or more guide plates 160 and the inner surface 110B’ of the lower crankcase half HOB. In other words, the one or more guide plates 160 are coupled with the inner surface HOB’ of the lower crankcase half HOB, one or more gaps (G) are created between the one or more guide plates 160 and the inner surface HOB’. The gaps (G) create one or more oil flow paths for allowing oil separated from air and oil mixture after hitting the one or more guide plates 160 to enter the one or more openings 140 through the one or more gaps (G), thus ensuring sufficient space for the oil to travel from the one or more guide plates 160 to the one or more openings 140 and thereafter to the first pump 150.

[0041]

[0031] Advantageously, the present invention provides an internal combustion engine that provides provision for separation of oil from the air and oil mixture as the oil travels from the crank chamber towards the oil sump through the one or more openings and a pump. The separation of the oil from the air and oil mixture by virtue of provision of the one or more guide plates thus prevents entry of oil into the first pump, i.e. the suction pump for sucking oil from the crank chamber towards the oil sump.

[0032] The separation of oil from the air / gas and oil mixture before the oil reaches the first pump thus ensures that oil enters the suction pump, which facilitating for the efficiency and effectiveness of the suction pump to increase, thereby allowing reduction of pressure inside the crank chamber which allows the pistons to move with lower resistance and at higher RPM, and thus more power generation and performance from the engine. The separation of the oil from the air and oil mixture also reduces the possibility of air lock being created in the first pump, thus reducing the chances of ceasing of operation of the first pump.

[0042]

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention also provides for provision of one or more guide plates for separation of oil from air and oil mixture, without requiring any significant crankcase modifications, thus reducing complexity in manufacturing as well as associated costs.

[0043]

[0034] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0044] List of Reference Numerals

[0045] 10: Internal Combustion Engine

[0046] 110: Crankcase

[0047] 110A: Upper Crankcase Half Member

[0048] HOB: Lower Crankcase Half Member

[0049] 110B’: Inner Surface of the Lower Crankcase Half Member

[0050] 120: Crank Chamber

[0051] 122: Crankshaft Assembly

[0052] 122A: Crankshaft

[0053] 122B: One or more Pistons

[0054] 122C: One or more Connecting Rods

[0055] 122D: One or more Crank Webs 124: Transmission Area

[0056] 124A: Transmission Assembly

[0057] 130: Oil Sump

[0058] 140: One or More Openings 150: First Pump

[0059] 150A: Inlet of the First Pump

[0060] 160: One or More Guide Plates

[0061] G: Gap

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An internal combustion engine (10), comprising: a crankcase (110), the crankcase (110) having a crank chamber (120) being configured to house at least a crankshaft assembly (122) of the internal combustion engine (10); an oil sump (130), the oil sump (130) being provided with the crankcase (110) for storing oil; one or more openings (140) provided in the crank chamber (120); and one or more guide plates (160) configured with the crankcase (110), the one or more guide plates (160) being configured to allow air and oil mixture in the crank chamber (120) to hit the one or more guide plates (160) before entering the one or more openings (140), thereby separating the oil from the air and oil mixture and restricting direct entry of air and oil mixture from the crank chamber (120) into the one or more openings (140).

2. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a first pump (150), the first pump (150) having an inlet (150A) being in fluid communication to the one or more openings (140), the first pump (150) being configured to suck the oil from the crank chamber (120).

3. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more openings (140) are provided in the crank chamber (120) for allowing the separated oil to exit the crank chamber (120).

4. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the crankcase (110) comprises an upper crankcase half member (110A) and a lower crankcase half member (HOB), the crank chamber (120) being defined between the upper crankcase half member (110A) and the lower crankcase half member (HOB).

5. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one or more openings (140) being provided in the lower crankcase half member (HOB).

6. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more openings (140) and the one or more guide plates (160) are configured below the crankshaft assembly (122).

7. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more guide plates (160) are provided below the crankshaft assembly (122) and above the one or more openings (140), thereby restricting direct entry of the air and oil mixture from the crank chamber (120) to the inlet (150 A) of the first pump (150).

8. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more guide plates (160) are coupled to an inner surface (HOB’) of the lower crankcase half member (110B) in the crank chamber (120).

9. The internal combustion engine ( 10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more guide plates (160) are disposed in an inclined orientation, thereby allowing oil separated from the air and oil mixture after hitting the one or more guide plates (160) to be guided towards the one or more openings (140).

10. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more guide plates (160) are configured to define one or more gaps (G) between the one or more guide plates (160) and the inner surface (HOB’) of the lower crankcase half (HOB), the gaps (G) creating one or more oil flow paths for allowing oil separated from air and oil mixture hitting the one or more guide plates (160) to enter the one or more openings (140).

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