Compact Engine Oil Tank with Dual Compartments for Vertical Dimension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine designs that use a double sump oil pan to quickly warm and manage lubricating oil temperature result in an increased up-and-down directional dimension, which is undesirable for compact vehicles like straddled vehicles, where it affects the vehicle's lowest height from the ground.
Innovation Solution
An engine with a compact oil tank configuration featuring a first and second oil compartment, where the first compartment supplies lubricating oil at low temperatures and the second compartment at high temperatures, with a switch valve controlling the flow to inhibit excessive temperature increase, while minimizing the engine's vertical dimension by exposing the compartments' outer surfaces and optimizing their surface areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a double sump oil pan is used to quickly warm and manage lubricating oil temperature, then the lubricating oil can be warmed quickly and temperature can be controlled, but the up-and-down directional dimension of the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (up-and-down directional dimension) to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement of the first and second oil compartments. This dimensional change allows the engine to maintain quick warming and temperature control capabilities while reducing the vertical dimension, making it suitable for straddled vehicles where ground clearance is critical.
2Length of stationary object
If the first and second oil compartments are disposed adjacently side by side, then the engine vertical dimension is reduced, but the surface area for heat exchange may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface area characteristics to different compartments based on their functional requirements. The first oil compartment (for quick warming) has a smaller sum of inner and outer surface areas to minimize heat loss, while the second oil compartment (for temperature management) has a larger sum of inner and outer surface areas to provide adequate heat dissipation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between compact vertical dimension and sufficient heat exchange area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for quick warming of lubricating oil and inhibition of excessive temperature increase without increasing the engine's vertical dimension, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust gas emissions while maintaining a compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
An outer surface of the first oil compartment is exposed outside the engine... the lubricating oil can be warmed quickly
Implementation Method 2
An outer surface of the second oil compartment is exposed outside the engine... excessive increase in temperature of the lubricating oil can be inhibited
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An oil tank (5) includes a first oil compartment (5A,5B) and a second oil compartment (5A,5B). A cylinder head (2) is supplied with a lubricating oil from the first oil compartment (5A,5B) when the lubricating oil has a temperature of less than a predetermined value. The cylinder head (2) is supplied with the lubricating oil at least from the second oil compartment (5A,5B) when the lubricating oil has a temperature of greater than or equal to the predetermined value. An outer surface of the first oil compartment (5A,5B) and an outer surface of the second oil compartment (5A,5B) are exposed outside an engine (1). A sum of a surface area of an inner surface and a surface area of the outer surface of the first oil compartment (5Am5B) is smaller than a sum of a surface area of an inner surface and a surface area of the outer surface of the second oil compartment (5A,5B).