Engine Block With One-Sided Oil Pan for Under-Engine Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engines with an oil pan extending across the entire lower portion of the cylinder block hinder effective use of the space below the engine, making it difficult to integrate additional components in flying apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The oil pan is positioned only on one side of the engine block, creating space on the opposite side for electrical components, and the engine block includes an oblique portion to accommodate the oil pan, allowing for a more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the oil pan is provided across the entire lower portion of the engine block, then the engine structure is simple and complete, but the space below the engine cannot be effectively utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine structure simplicityVSAvoidusable space below engine

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil pan is segmented from the engine block structure, positioned only on one side rather than spanning the entire lower portion. This segmentation allows the space below the engine to be divided into functional zones, with electrical components mounted on the opposite side from the oil pan, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural completeness and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the oil pan is positioned only on one side of the engine block, then space below the engine is freed for electrical components, but the engine block structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable space below engineVSAvoidengine block structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine block is designed with local quality variations, including an oblique portion at specific locations to accommodate the offset oil pan configuration. This localized structural modification allows the oil pan to be positioned on one side only, freeing space for electrical components while maintaining overall structural integrity through targeted rather than comprehensive redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the engine block includes an oblique portion to accommodate the oil pan, then the oil pan can be positioned optimally, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil pan positioningVSAvoidoblique portion geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The oblique portion is pre-formed as an integral part of the engine block casting or machining process, rather than being added as a separate component. This preliminary action ensures that the oil pan mounting surface is precisely positioned and oriented during the primary manufacturing process, reducing the need for subsequent precision adjustments and minimizing cumulative tolerance errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4644240A1Engine and flight device

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP

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AI summary

Provided is an engine with which, in an apparatus equipped with the engine, a space below the engine can be efficiently used. An engine (4) includes: pistons (81, 82); crank shafts (83, 84) that rotate according to the reciprocating motions of the pistons; an engine block (400) that accommodates the pistons and the crank shafts; and an oil pan (4b) provided below the engine block. Between one-side portion and another-side portion in the width direction of the engine block, the oil pan is provided only at the one-side portion.