Internal Combustion Engine Lubricant Pan Venting for Stable Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines suffer from lubricant level fluctuations in the crankcase, leading to engine losses and increased air entrainment, which affects efficiency and acoustic performance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a lattice-like lubricant sump with intersecting webs forming chambers, featuring smaller vent openings that connect the crankcase and lubricant sump, along with non-circular lubricant passage openings, to manage lubricant flow and venting effectively, maintaining rigidity and reducing air accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the lubricant sump is designed with a lattice structure using intersecting webs to reduce weight, then the weight of the lubricant pan is reduced, but the structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant sump is divided into multiple chambers by intersecting webs, creating a lattice structure that reduces material usage and weight while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed chamber configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant pan is constructed using composite material technology, combining different materials with optimized properties to achieve both weight reduction and sufficient structural rigidity in the lattice design
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vent openings are added to chambers without lubricant passage openings, then air venting capability is improved, but the structural integrity and rigidity of the lubricant pan may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Vent openings are selectively positioned only in chambers that lack lubricant passage openings, providing localized air venting functionality where needed while preserving the structural integrity of other chambers
Solution Approach 2:
Not all chambers are equipped with vent openings, but only those specifically needing air venting capability, avoiding excessive modifications that would compromise overall structural rigidity
3Productivity
If lubricant passage openings are made larger to improve drainage efficiency, then lubricant flow rate is increased, but the structural strength of the lubricant pan upper part is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant passage openings are designed with non-circular geometries, utilizing dimensional optimization to maximize flow cross-sectional area and drainage efficiency while maintaining sufficient structural strength in the lubricant pan upper part
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures efficient lubricant drainage and venting, minimizing lubricant level fluctuations, reducing engine losses, and enhancing acoustic performance by maintaining structural rigidity and preventing unwanted vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vent opening opens into at least one of the chambers into which none of the lubricant passage openings opens, which additionally connects the crankcase and the lubricant sump
Implementation Method 2
lubricant passage openings formed in the lubricant pan upper part open into at least some of the chambers, via which lubricant passage openings the crank chamber and the lubricant sump are in flow connection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1) having a cylinder crankcase delimiting a crank chamber and a lubricant pan (2) accommodating a lubricant sump, which lubricant pan has a lubricant pan top part (3) arranged between the crank chamber and the lubricant sump, and a lubricant pan bottom part fastened to the lubricant pan top part (3), wherein a plurality of connecting pieces (5) extend from a base component (4) of the lubricant pan top part (3) in the direction of the lubricant sump, which connecting pieces intersect in part and thereby form chambers (6) which are closed around the edges in sectional view, and wherein lubricant passage openings (7) formed in the lubricant pan top part (3) open into at least some of the chambers (6), via which lubricant passage openings the crank chamber and the lubricant sump are fluidically connected. According to the invention, at least one ventilation opening (11) opens into at least one of the chambers (6), into which none of the lubricant passage openings (7) open, which at least one ventilation opening additionally fluidically connects the crank chamber and the lubricant sump and has, in comparison to the lubricant passage openings (7), a smaller flow cross-section.