Multi-Point Windage Tray for Engine NVH Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines (ICEs) experience significant noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) issues due to the windage tray's inability to effectively separate the crank area from the oil sump while allowing oil flow, and other engine components contribute to these problems.
Innovation Solution
A windage tray design featuring multiple coupling features, including holes for fasteners, that allows direct connection to the engine block, bearing caps, and balance shaft module, improving structural integrity and reducing noise and vibrations by allowing controlled oil flow and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the windage tray is attached only to the engine block, then the installation is simple, but the structural integrity and noise reduction effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The windage tray is designed with multiple coupling features that enable it to attach to different engine components (engine block, bearing caps, balance shaft module), allowing a single component to serve multiple attachment functions and achieve comprehensive structural reinforcement and noise reduction across various engine vibrations sources
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the windage tray is coupled to multiple components with multiple coupling features, then the noise and vibration reduction is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling features are segmented into distinct locations on the windage tray, with each feature designed specifically for attachment to a particular component (engine block, bearing cap, or balance shaft module). This segmentation allows for standardized fastener holes that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the multi-component attachment requirement
3Ease of operation
If the windage tray uses a single coupling location, then the assembly is straightforward, but the effectiveness in reducing NVH from multiple engine components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The windage tray incorporates multiple coupling features positioned to attach to different engine components (engine block, bearing caps, balance shaft module), enabling a single assembly operation to address NVH issues from multiple vibration sources simultaneously, thereby improving effectiveness without significantly complicating the assembly process
Data Source
AI summary
A windage tray for an engine including a first body having a first coupling feature by which the first body is adapted to be coupled to an engine block. The first body having a second coupling feature by which the first body is adapted to be coupled to a bearing cap. The first body having a third coupling feature by which the first body is adapted to be coupled to a balance shaft module.