Oil Filter Integration in Crankcase Cover for Engine Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted internal combustion engines with limited space face challenges in accommodating oil filters efficiently, requiring innovative arrangements to optimize size reduction and maintainability.
Innovation Solution
An oil filter attaching structure where the oil filter is housed in a storage cavity within the crankcase cover, with oil passages positioned non-parallel to the crankshaft, allowing for compact design and improved accessibility, and utilizing a helical spring for secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the oil filter is installed in a filter case that is integrally formed with a crankcase cover, then the engine size is reduced, but the space for installing the oil filter becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The oil filter is nested within the crankcase cover structure. The filter case is integrally formed with the crankcase cover, creating a nested arrangement where the oil filter housing is contained within the overall engine assembly without requiring separate external space. This resolves the contradiction by providing oil filter accommodation within the limited space of the integrated crankcase cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the widthwise direction (vehicle width direction) for arranging the crankcase cover and oil filter components. By extending the crankcase cover in the vehicle widthwise direction and positioning the oil filter within this extended structure, the design creates filtration space without increasing engine length or height, effectively using an alternative dimension to resolve the space conflict.
2Volume of moving object
If components are distributed around the crankshaft to reduce engine size, then the engine becomes more compact, but the maintainability and accessibility of components may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The crankcase cover is segmented into functional zones: the clutch device and accessories are positioned in the forward region, while the oil filter is positioned in the rearward region. This spatial segmentation allows compact arrangement around the crankshaft while maintaining accessibility, as each component occupies a distinct accessible zone within the cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The crankcase cover acts as an intermediary structure that provides both structural integration and maintenance accessibility. The cover's design with integral filter case and designated component positions creates a unified structure that maintains compact size while ensuring that oil filter and other components remain accessible for maintenance through the cover's configured openings and layout.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an oil filter attaching structure for a vehicle-mounted internal combustion engine, an oil filter (8) of the engine (3) is installed in a filter case (80) integrally formed with a crankcase cover (60R) of a crankcase (30). The crankcase cover 60R is mounted on a side surface of the crankcase (30) so as to cover an end (31a) of a crankshaft (31) supported by the crankcase (30) to extend in vehicle widthwise directions. An internal combustion engine accessory (47) and a transmission clutch device (50) are disposed inside of the crankcase cover (60R) in respective positions forward and rearward of the crankshaft (31). The oil filter (8) and an oil supply port (49) are disposed inside of the crankcase cover (60R) in respective positions upward and downward of the crankshaft (31). The oil filter attaching structure efficiently utilizes the space for making itself smaller in size and for better maintainability.