V-belt CVT Engine Coupling Plate Sealing Structure
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine designs with V-belt type continuously variable transmissions face challenges in sealing coupled portions, especially when the crankshaft opening has a complicated shape, leading to water and mud ingress, particularly in vehicles operating in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A structure comprising a plate mounting surface on the engine case with a first opening for the crankshaft, a coupling plate with a second opening for the crankshaft and oil pan flange, and seal plates with L-shaped and U-shaped configurations to seal the openings, along with an elastic seal member and liquid seal agent for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling plate with a complicated shape is used to match the engine's crankshaft opening, then the sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is divided into multiple separate components: the main coupling plate and multiple seal plates (first seal plate, second seal plate, third seal plate). Each seal plate is responsible for sealing a specific region, transforming a single complex sealing component into multiple simpler modular components that collectively achieve comprehensive sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Seal plates are introduced as intermediary components between the coupling plate and the engine case. These seal plates specifically target and seal the complicated crankshaft opening region, acting as mediators that resolve the sealing challenge without requiring the main coupling plate to have a complicated shape.
2Device complexity
If a standard coupling plate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but water and mud can enter the transmission case
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic seal members (rubber seals) are used as flexible sealing elements between the seal plates and the engine case/coupling plate. These elastic components deform to fill gaps and prevent water and mud from entering the transmission case, providing effective protection while maintaining simple rigid plate structures.
3Reliability
If multiple seal plates are added to seal the complicated opening, then the sealing performance is improved, but the quantity of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the mounting plate for the transmission and as a structural component that integrates with the engine case. Additionally, the seal plates are designed to be relatively simple in shape to facilitate easy manufacturing and assembly, reducing the overall complexity despite the increased number of components.
Data Source
AI summary
In a structure for coupling a V-belt type continuously variable transmission with an engine of a vehicle, the engine includes a first opening through which a crankshaft passes. A coupling plate mounted on a plate mounting surface that surrounds the first opening includes a second opening through which the crankshaft and an upper end flange of the oil pan pass. First and second seal plates are disposed on front and back surfaces of the coupling plate, and the first and second seal plates seal a space into which the upper end flange is inserted. A liquid seal agent seals gaps of various locations of the second opening.