Integrated Oil Pan Strainer and Anti-Emulsion Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil sumps are costly due to the addition of internal reinforcing elements and integration of an oil pump, which also limits ground and bonnet clearance, and are prone to clogging and engine failure upon impact.
Innovation Solution
An oil sump design featuring a lower and upper shell made in one piece by molding, with the strainer and anti-emulsion plate integrated into these shells, eliminating the need for internal reinforcing elements and providing a rigid structure that compensates for material creep and impact, while ensuring constant oil suction and reduced risk of clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If internal reinforcing elements and separators are added to the oil sump, then the rigidity and structural strength are improved, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer and anti-emulsion plate are merged with the lower and upper shells respectively, forming integrated one-piece structures. This eliminates the need for separate internal reinforcing elements and separators, reducing part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining structural rigidity through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The strainer structure serves dual functions: it filters oil while simultaneously acting as a stiffening element that compensates for material creep and provides structural rigidity to the casing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated reinforcing elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If an oil pump is integrated on the bottom of the casing, then the oil circulation function is improved, but the casing size increases, limiting ground clearance and bonnet clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pump is extracted from the bottom of the casing and relocated to the engine block. This removes the volume constraint imposed by the pump on the casing design, allowing for reduced casing volume and improved ground clearance while maintaining oil circulation functionality through the integrated strainer and return line system
3Productivity
If the strainer is arranged freely at a predefined distance from the bottom of the sump, then the oil suction capability is improved, but the strainer becomes vulnerable to blocking upon impact, causing engine failure
Solution Approach 1:
The lower portion of the strainer is merged with the lower shell as a one-piece structure. This integration ensures that upon impact, both the shell and strainer move together as a unified structure, preventing relative movement that could cause blocking. The strainer maintains its oil suction capability while gaining impact resistance through this integrated design
Data Source
AI summary
The sump comprises: a lower shell (2) comprising an element that forms a lower portion (20) of a suction strainer, the lower shell and the said element being produced as a single piece by moulding or by casting; an upper shell (1) comprising an element forming an upper portion (21) of the suction strainer, and a wall forming an anti-emulsion plate (15), the upper shell, the said element and the anti-emulsion plate being produced as a single piece by moulding or by casting. The shells are assembled with one another in a fluid tight fashion to form a rigid casing, the lower portion and the upper portion of the suction strainer being, when the shells are assembled, assembled with one another with a grating (3) interposed between them so as to form a suction strainer that allows oil to be drawn up towards the engine.