Oil Pan Coolant Pipe Layout for Rigidity and Oil Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing the capacity of the oil pan in an internal combustion engine to enhance oil circulation reduces the rigidity of the oil pan, leading to potential structural weaknesses.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a coolant channel with a coolant pipe that extends across the oil pan, fixed to its side wall, positioned closer to the second oil pan than the middle, enhancing the rigidity of the lower portion and secured to the cylinder block, while also allowing coolant to cool the oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the capacity of the oil pan is increased to enhance oil circulation, then the amount of oil that circulates is increased, but the rigidity of the oil pan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pan is divided into a first oil pan mounted on the cylinder block and a second oil pan mounted on the first oil pan. This segmentation allows the larger second oil pan to be supported structurally by the first oil pan, maintaining rigidity while increasing overall capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant pipe acts as an intermediary structural element that crosses the up-down direction of the first oil pan and has both ends fixed to its side wall. This intermediary structure reinforces the oil pan's rigidity without compromising the increased capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the capacity of the oil pan is increased to enhance oil circulation, then the amount of oil that circulates is increased, but the opening of the oil pan becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pan system is segmented into two parts, with the second oil pan mounted on the first oil pan. This allows the opening area to be distributed across two structures rather than one large opening, maintaining structural integrity while increasing capacity.
3Strength
If the coolant pipe is positioned closer to the second oil pan than the middle, then the rigidity of the lower portion is enhanced, but the cooling efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant pipe is positioned specifically in the lower portion of the first oil pan closer to the second oil pan, creating local structural reinforcement where needed. The pipe extends in a prescribed direction crossing the up-down direction, providing targeted rigidity enhancement without compromising overall cooling function.
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 maintains the rigidity of the oil pan, particularly its lower portion, and effectively cools the oil, addressing the structural weakness and temperature issues associated with increased capacity.
Implementation Method 1
an oil cooler configured to cool oil using the coolant discharged from the coolant pump
Implementation Method 2
a coolant pump configured to discharge a coolant, the coolant pump being mounted on the cylinder block
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block, a coolant pump, an oil cooler, an oil pan, and a coolant channel. The coolant channel is a channel passing through the oil pan and configured to supply a coolant to the oil cooler. The oil pan includes an annular first oil pan mounted on the cylinder block and a second oil pan mounted on the first oil pan. The coolant channel includes a coolant pipe located closer to the second oil pan than the middle in an up-down direction of the first oil pan. The coolant pipe extends in a reference direction crossing the up-down direction. Both a first end and a second end of the coolant pipe are fixed to a side wall of the first oil pan.