Chain Cover Attachment Structure for Engine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing chain cover structure for internal combustion engines experiences increased vibration due to insufficient rigidity of the fastening parts, particularly when the first fastening part on the cylinder head side is not designed to minimize vibration.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a cover member attachment structure with a cover-side boss extending from the central portion of the cover member and an internal combustion engine main body-side boss, where the first and second oil supply pipe portions have bosses protruding towards the cover member, and the main body-side boss is installed between these bosses, enhancing the rigidity of the engine main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the first fastening part is fastened to the cylinder head with a bolt, then the cover member can be fixed to the engine, but the rigidity of the fastening portion is insufficient causing vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil supply pipe structure with the fastening structure by making the fastening portion an integral part of the oil supply pipe. The oil supply pipe is formed with a through-hole that accommodates the fastening portion, combining two functional elements (oil supply and fastening) into a single integrated component, thereby increasing rigidity without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a longitudinal extension to the fastening portion beyond the oil supply pipe's end surface. This dimensional extension in the longitudinal direction creates an extended fastening area that increases rigidity and stability of the connection between the cover member and engine, moving beyond the traditional single-plane fastening approach
2Ease of manufacture
If the fastening structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the cover member vibrates due to insufficient rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The oil supply pipe serves multiple functions: it supplies oil to the engine and simultaneously provides the fastening structure for attaching the cover member. The fastening portion is formed as an integral part of the oil supply pipe, making the pipe a multi-functional component that reduces the need for separate fastening hardware while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening portion is pre-formed as an integral part of the oil supply pipe during the pipe's manufacturing process. This preliminary formation of the fastening structure eliminates the need for separate fastening component assembly steps, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring the fastening structure is already optimized for rigidity and stability
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To provide a cover member attachment structure for an internal combustion engine (1), in which the rigidity of a portion of an internal combustion engine main body (2) to which a cover member (40) is fastened can be increased, thereby making it possible to prevent the cover member (40) from vibrating. [Solution] In a chain cover (40) attachment structure for an engine (1) including a chain cover (40) attached to a front wall (4a) to cover a timing chain (14) that transmits power to an intake cam shaft (21) and an exhaust cam shaft (22) from a crankshaft (7), a central boss (45A) extending toward a front wall (4a) from a central portion in a width direction of the chain cover (40), and a central boss (4A) provided in the front wall (4a) and to be connected to the central boss (45A) with a bolt (33C), an intake-side oil supply pipe portion (15) includes a boss (15A) protruding toward the chain cover (40) from the front wall (4a), an exhaust-side oil supply pipe portion (16) includes a boss (16A) protruding toward the chain cover (40) from the front wall (4a), and the central boss (4A) is installed in a region (53) sandwiched between the boss (15A) and the boss (16A).