Oil Baffle for Internal Combustion Engine Aeration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with oil sumps experience unacceptable oil pressure drops due to over-aeration caused by moving components, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an oil baffle within the oil sump to minimize aeration by creating a cavity that allows oil to flow and lubricate moving parts while preventing excessive air entrainment into the oil pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving components are located in or near the oil sump to enable direct lubrication, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but oil aeration increases causing unacceptable oil pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The oil sump is segmented into two distinct regions by the baffle: a first region containing the oil reservoir and pump, and a second region containing the moving components. This segmentation prevents oil aeration in the pump region while still enabling lubrication of components in the separate region.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary structure that separates the oil reservoir from moving components. It includes a lubrication port that selectively allows oil to reach components while preventing direct contact between components and the main oil reservoir, thus avoiding aeration.
2Stress or pressure
If a baffle is introduced to reduce oil aeration, then oil pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates the oil reservoir from moving components, prevents oil aeration, provides a lubrication port for component cooling/lubrication, and maintains structural integrity of the oil sump. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle integrates several features into a single component: the separation wall, the lubrication port, and the structural support element are combined into one piece that is attached to the crankcase, simplifying assembly and reducing part count.
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
The oil baffle reduces aeration in the oil reservoir, maintaining stable oil pressure and ensuring effective lubrication of engine components, thereby enhancing engine performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the moving components can cause over-aeration of the oil reservoir in the oil sump
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine that includes an oil baffle in the oil sump. The internal combustion engine may include a crankcase comprising an oil sump containing an oil reservoir, a crankshaft, and an oil baffle positioned within the oil sump. The crankshaft may be a vertical crankshaft and a first balance shaft may extend upward from the oil baffle. The crankshaft may be positioned within the oil baffle and a drivetrain may, also optionally, be positioned in the oil baffle. The internal combustion engine may be configured such that the oil reservoir has a first oil level when the internal combustion engine is off and a second oil level when the internal combustion engine is running at normal operating conditions. The first oil level is above a floor of the oil baffle. The second oil level may, also, be above the floor of the oil baffle.