Floating Oil Sump Assembly for Leak-Proof Engine Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil sump assemblies face challenges in providing a leak-proof floating suspension design that is easy to assemble and install, with limited design freedom due to engine block constraints and potential leakages from incorrect assembly.

Innovation Solution

A floating oil sump assembly with a framework comprising a first and second frame part, a flange, and gaskets, allowing pre-assembly and easy mounting to an engine block, using internal and external fixation and alignment arrangements to ensure a secure and controlled assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a floating suspension oil sump design is used to limit vibrations and sound production, then vibration reduction is improved, but assembly complexity increases and leakage risk increases due to difficulty in ensuring leak-proof sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration and soundVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oil sump assembly is divided into separate components: a framework with first and second frame parts, a flange, and gaskets. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining the floating suspension design for vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The framework is pre-assembled with the flange and gaskets before installation on the engine block. The first and second frame parts are connected via fixation arrangement in advance, creating a pre-assembled unit that simplifies the final installation process and reduces on-site assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a floating suspension oil sump design is used to limit vibrations and sound production, then vibration reduction is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential leakages from difficult sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration and soundVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Gaskets are introduced as intermediary sealing elements between the framework and the engine block, and between the flange and framework. These gaskets mediate the sealing interface, ensuring reliable leak-proof connections while maintaining the floating suspension design that reduces vibrations and sound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation arrangement replaces traditional rigid mechanical fastening with a more sophisticated system that combines mechanical fixation with elastic gasket sealing. This substitution maintains the floating suspension characteristics for vibration reduction while ensuring reliable sealing against leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the oil sump is directly mounted to the engine block to simplify assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but vibration reduction capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidvibration and sound

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is segmented into a pre-assembled framework unit containing the floating suspension mechanism, and a separate engine block. This segmentation allows the framework to be assembled independently with proper vibration isolation features, then mounted as a complete unit to the engine block, maintaining both ease of assembly and vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If auxiliary mounting elements are used to increase design freedom of the oil sump, then adaptability is improved, but assembly complexity increases and leakage risk increases due to decreased controllability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The framework serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables floating suspension for vibration reduction, facilitates adaptable mounting to different engine blocks through configurable first and second frame parts, and ensures reliable sealing. This multi-functionality achieves design freedom without increasing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250382908A1Oilsump Assembly, Internal Combustion Engine, Vehicle, and Method

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 DAF TRUCKS NV

AI summary

An oil sump assembly comprises an oil reservoir with a flange. A framework interconnects the flange and the engine mounting surface, and comprises a first frame part that provides an interface between the flange and the engine mounting surface, and a second frame part that is removably fixated to the first frame part by an internal fixation arrangement. A recess is formed between the first and second frame part. The flange extends into the recess and is sandwiched between sidewalls of the recess by a first gasket that covers the first and second side of the flange. The flange and the first gasket are clamped onto each other by the internal fixation arrangement between the first and second frame part. A second gasket is arranged for sealing a connection between the first frame part and the engine mounting surface.