Multi-Reservoir Engine Oil Pan With Movable Closure Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine oil reservoir systems face challenges in optimizing energy consumption, as they either accelerate oil aging or suffer from reliability issues due to complexity, leading to non-uniform oil wear and difficult oil drainage, which complicates maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A reservoir device comprising three interconnected tanks with a movable closure element and an actuator, allowing for controlled oil circulation and heating during engine start-up, while preventing oil stagnation and facilitating efficient drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the quantity of oil circulating in the lubrication system is reduced, then the oil heating speed is improved, but the oil change interval is reduced due to accelerated aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil heating speedVSAvoidoil change interval

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil reservoir is divided into multiple separate reservoirs (first reservoir, second reservoir, third reservoir) with controlled communication between them. This segmentation allows the system to reduce the quantity of circulating oil for faster heating while maintaining total oil volume for extended service life, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and oil change interval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If multiple reservoirs with communication valves are used, then the oil heating speed is improved, but the system complexity increases causing reliability problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil heating speedVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex communication valves from the system. Instead of using valves to control oil flow between reservoirs, the design uses direct gravitational flow and a simple closure element, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to control oil circulation for heating purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the natural gravitational force and pressure differential to control oil flow between reservoirs without requiring complex valve mechanisms. The closure element simply opens or closes passages, allowing oil to flow naturally when needed, which simplifies the system and improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If multiple reservoirs are used, then the oil heating speed is improved, but oil can remain trapped in reservoirs causing non-uniform wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil heating speedVSAvoiduniformity of oil wear

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the communication between reservoirs using the movable closure element. During normal operation, all reservoirs communicate to ensure uniform oil circulation and wear. During heating phases, the closure element selectively isolates reservoirs to enable rapid heating, while maintaining the ability to restore full circulation to prevent non-uniform wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Temperature

If traditional multi-reservoir systems are used, then the oil heating speed is improved, but the drainage operation becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil heating speedVSAvoiddrainage complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges all reservoirs into a single integrated oil pan structure with a unified drainage system. The closure element and multiple reservoir compartments are integrated within one pan that can be completely removed and drained as a single unit, eliminating the need for complex disassembly operations required by traditional multi-reservoir systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables rapid oil heating during engine start-up, ensures uniform oil wear, simplifies maintenance by preventing oil stagnation, and acts as a safety valve to prevent engine overheating by managing oil circulation effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a closure element suitable for sealing the first outlet and capable of closing off the second outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

The first inlet can be arranged at a high point of the first tank. The first outlet can be arranged at a low point of the first tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3401521B1Oil reservoir device for engine

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 RENAULT SA

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AI summary

Engine oil reservoir device (1) for engine (8), characterized in that it comprises: - a first reservoir (10), a second reservoir (20) and a third reservoir (30), the first reservoir (10) being provided with a first outlet (11) to the third reservoir (30) and the second reservoir (20) being provided with a second outlet (21) to the third reservoir (30) - and a sealing element (100) suitable for sealing the first outlet (11) and suitable for sealing the second outlet (21).