Multi-link Engine Oil Guide Wall for Efficient Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-link internal combustion engines, the close placement of link members to the oil pan rather than the crankshaft makes it difficult to efficiently return oil from the shallow bottom portion to the deep bottom portion of the oil pan, leading to instability in the oil strainer and potential exposure above the oil level.
Innovation Solution
An oil guide wall is provided on a plate member positioned between the piston-crank mechanism and the oil pan, directing oil displaced by the pivotal movement of the link members towards the deep bottom portion, ensuring efficient oil return and maintaining the oil strainer below the oil level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the shallow bottom portion of the oil pan is disposed close to the crank shaft to enable efficient oil return, then oil flow efficiency is improved, but in multi-link engines the link members occupy the space between the oil pan and crank shaft, making close placement unavailable and worsening oil return efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
An oil guide wall is introduced as an intermediary component between the shallow bottom portion and deep bottom portion of the oil pan. This wall actively directs oil flow toward the deep bottom portion, compensating for the increased distance caused by the multi-link mechanism's spatial requirements. The oil guide wall serves as a mediator that maintains efficient oil return despite the unavoidable separation between the oil pan and crank shaft.
2Weight of moving object
If the oil pan is positioned closer to the link members to reduce engine height and weight, then engine compactness is improved, but oil return from the shallow bottom portion becomes inefficient and the oil strainer may be exposed above the oil level
Solution Approach 1:
The oil guide wall acts as a mediator that ensures reliable oil delivery to the deep bottom portion where the oil strainer is located. By actively directing oil flow along the inclined surface, the oil guide wall guarantees that the oil strainer remains submerged and functional, even when the oil pan is positioned closer to the link members to reduce overall engine dimensions.
3Productivity
If the shallow bottom portion is extended toward the deep bottom portion with an inclined surface to facilitate oil flow, then oil return is improved, but the structural complexity of the oil pan increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pan is designed with local quality variation: the bottom portion features an inclined surface specifically in the region where oil flow is needed, while other portions maintain a simpler structure. This localized inclination, combined with the oil guide wall, creates an efficient oil return path without requiring the entire oil pan structure to be complex.
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 solution allows for efficient oil return from the shallow to the deep bottom portion of the oil pan, maintaining the oil strainer's stability and preventing exposure, which helps in reducing the engine's height and weight, improving fuel efficiency, and preventing air contamination.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined surface formed in the shallow bottom portion lowering toward the deep bottom portion and lowering along the direction of rotation of the crank shaft so that the oil in the shallow bottom portion easily flows into the deep bottom portion
Implementation Method 2
oil displaced by the pivotal movement or oscillation of the pivotal link member is directed to the side of deep bottom portion by the oil guide wall
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link internal combustion engine generally includes a cylinder block, an oil pan mounted to the undersurface of the cylinder block to define a crank chamber, the oil pan being formed with a shallow bottom portion and a deep bottom portion for storing oil. The multi-link internal combustion engine further includes a multi-link, piston-crank mechanism disposed in the crank chamber, a pivotal link member of the piston-crank mechanism pivotal about a pivotal fulcrum located on the side of oil pan; and an oil guide wall provided on the shallow bottom portion in the crank chamber for guiding the oil displaced due to the movement of the pivotal link member to the side of deep bottom portion.