Oil Sump Partition Wall Prevents Pinion-Induced Foaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil pans allow engine oil to foam when driven by the oil pump's pinion, leading to potential component failure in combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
An oil pan design with a partition wall that separates the pinion volume from the oil sump volume, preventing foamed oil from reaching the sump and allowing for a cost-effective, integrated manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pinion is positioned to drive the oil pump effectively, then the oil pump can operate properly, but the pinion causes engine oil to foam up
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pan interior is divided into two separate volumes: a pinion volume where the pinion rotates and a sump volume where oil collects. A partition wall separates these volumes, preventing foamed oil from the pinion area from mixing with the oil in the sump, thus eliminating the harmful foaming effect while allowing the pinion to operate effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the pinion volume and the sump volume. It allows the pinion to rotate and drive the oil pump while blocking the path of foamed oil, serving as a mediator that prevents the harmful interaction between the pinion's rotational action and the oil.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a partition wall is added to separate the pinion volume from the oil sump, then oil foaming is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is integrated directly into the oil pan structure, merging the separation function with the existing oil pan component. This is achieved by forming the partition wall as a single piece with the oil pan through primary molding processes such as die casting or sand casting, eliminating the need for separate partition components and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall serves multiple functions: it separates the pinion volume from the sump volume to prevent foaming, provides structural support for the oil pan, and can be designed to include oil drainage pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the partition wall extends from the base surface, then the pinion volume is separated from the oil volume, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is formed during the initial molding process of the oil pan, before any assembly operations. By incorporating the partition wall into the mold cavity and forming it as a single piece with the oil pan through primary molding processes, the separation function is established from the outset, eliminating the need for subsequent precision machining or assembly operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An oil sump (1) of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a vehicle, is disclosed, configured for receiving an oil pump (2), wherein the oil pump (2) is driven by way of a pinion (3), wherein, in a position ready for use of the internal combustion engine in the motor vehicle, the pinion is arranged at least partially below an oil surface (4) of an oil sump volume (5) within a pinion volume (6) which is separated from the oil sump volume (5) by way of a dividing wall (7), with the result that engine oil which is swirled up by the pinion (3) does not lead to foaming of engine oil which is located in the oil sump volume (5).