Engine Oil Tank Multi-Directional Joint Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of oil tanks in engine units, which are split into upper and lower portions for easier removal, results in increased thickness with distance from the joint surface, reducing the oil storage capacity, especially in elongated shapes.
Innovation Solution
The oil tank is configured by joining separate tank body components with joint surfaces oriented in different directions, allowing for draft angles in multiple directions during die casting, thereby reducing thickness and increasing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the oil tank is split into upper and lower portions for easier removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the thickness of the tank increases with distance from the joint surface, reducing the oil storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The oil tank is divided into multiple components (first component and second component) that are joined to the tank body at different orientations. This segmentation allows each component to be removed independently through its own opening, facilitating maintenance while minimizing the impact on overall tank capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first component opens in a first direction and the second component opens in a second direction that is different from the first direction. This multi-directional opening approach allows draft angles to be provided in multiple directions during die casting, reducing the thickness increase that would otherwise occur with a single upward opening configuration.
2Volume of stationary object
If draft angles are provided on the tank body in multiple directions, then the thickness of the oil tank is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank body is segmented into multiple components that can be manufactured separately with simpler draft angle requirements, then assembled together. This reduces the manufacturing complexity compared to creating a single complex piece with multi-directional draft angles.
Solution Approach 2:
By opening components in different directions (first direction and second direction), the design distributes the draft angle requirements across multiple faces, allowing each component to be manufactured with standard draft angles rather than requiring complex multi-directional drafting on a single piece.
3Volume of stationary object
If the oil tank is elongated in the up-and-down direction, then the oil storage capacity is increased, but the thickness of the tank further increases, reducing the effective storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The tank components open in different directions (not just upward), allowing the elongated tank structure to have reduced thickness by distributing wall thickness more evenly through multi-directional draft angle provisions during die casting.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine unit includes an engine body, a crankshaft, and an oil tank. The engine body includes a cylinder unit and a crankcase. The crankshaft is accommodated in the crankcase and extends in the horizontal or substantially horizontal direction. The oil tank is located at a lateral portion of the engine body. The oil tank includes a tank body, a first component, and a second component. The first component is separate from the tank body and is joined to the tank body. The second component is separate from the tank body and is joined to the tank body. A first joint surface between the tank body and the first component extends in a direction different from that of a second joint surface between the tank body and the second component.