Oil Cooler Integration in Water-Cooled Engine Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oil supply structure of water-cooled internal combustion engines has long oil passages and a high number of parts, leading to reduced oil circulation efficiency and increased weight due to the placement of the oil cooler at a distance from the oil pump, resulting in inefficient oil circulation and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
The oil supply structure is redesigned with the oil cooler positioned near the oil pump and oil filter, and the oil tank is integrated into the engine case cover, allowing for a shorter oil passage and reducing the number of parts by eliminating the need for external oil piping, with the oil cooler's inlet and outlet located on the attachment surface to facilitate efficient oil circulation and temperature adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the oil cooler is placed at the front part of the vehicle body with external piping, then the oil cooler can be positioned away from the engine, but the oil passage becomes long, oil circulation efficiency deteriorates, and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil cooler with the engine case cover, integrating the cooling function directly into the engine structure. The oil cooler is positioned adjacent to the oil pump within the engine assembly, eliminating the need for external piping and long oil passages while maintaining effective oil cooling through direct thermal coupling with the engine block.
2Temperature
If the oil cooler is placed at the front part of the vehicle body with external piping, then the oil cooler can be positioned away from the engine, but the number of parts increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil cooler is integrated into the engine case cover, combining multiple functions (cooling, structural support, oil filtration housing) into a single component. This merger eliminates separate external pipes, mounting brackets, and associated fasteners, thereby reducing the total number of parts and the overall weight of the oil supply system.
3Temperature
If the oil cooler is placed at the front part of the vehicle body with external piping, then the oil cooler can be positioned away from the engine, but the oil passage becomes long and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the oil cooler into the engine case cover consolidates the oil circulation path, reducing the number of connections and interfaces required. The oil passage is shortened and simplified by eliminating external piping, reducing potential leak points and simplifying maintenance procedures.
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 configuration enhances oil circulation efficiency, reduces weight by minimizing parts, and ensures sufficient oil supply to engine components without upsizing the oil pumps, while maintaining compactness and good space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a water-cooled oil cooler with the oil cooler being placed further forward than a radiator of the cooling system
Implementation Method 2
an oil pump operatively connected to a lubrication system
Data Source
AI summary
An oil supply structure of a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes an oil cooler for improving oil circulation efficiency by making an oil passage of a lubrication system short. In addition, weight of the oil cooler is reduced by reducing the number of parts. The oil supply structure of a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes an oil pump drive shaft of an oil pump that is coaxially coupled with one end of a balancer shaft placed parallel with a crankshaft and a water pump drive shaft of a water pump that is coaxially coupled with the other end of the balancer shaft. In the oil supply structure, an oil cooler is provided in the vicinity of the oil pump together with an oil filter.