Self-Pumping Crankshaft Lubrication for Rod Bearing Journals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art crankshafts require additional equipment like oil pumps for lubrication, which occupy space and can be a point of failure in combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
The crankshaft features internal fluid passageways with funneled openings and outlet ports that utilize the rotation to automatically direct oil from the crankcase into the crankpin journal, eliminating the need for external pumps by capturing and directing oil to lubricate the rod bearing journals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump motor is used to force oil through passageways for lubrication, then effective lubrication is achieved, but additional equipment is required which occupies space and creates potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The crankshaft is designed to pump its own lubrication oil through the rotation of the crankshaft itself. The funneled openings on the leading faces of rod lobes capture oil during rotation, and the internal passageways direct this oil to the rod bearing journals, eliminating the need for external pump motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication function is merged with the crankshaft structure itself. The crankshaft incorporates internal passageways and funneled openings directly into its design, combining the pumping function with the rotating component that already exists in the engine, thereby eliminating separate pump equipment.
2Reliability
If a pump motor is installed to deliver oil through passageways, then oil delivery is ensured, but engine space is occupied by additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication delivery system is merged into the crankshaft structure. The internal passageways are formed within the crankshaft material itself, and the funneled openings are integrated into the rod lobes, eliminating the need for external pump motors and associated housing space.
Solution Approach 2:
The crankshaft serves its own lubrication needs by capturing oil through its own rotating surfaces and distributing it through its own internal structure, eliminating the need for separate oil delivery equipment that would occupy engine space.
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 solution provides effective lubrication of the rod bearing journals without the need for additional equipment, reducing potential failure points and optimizing engine space usage.
Implementation Method 1
Because the funneled openings are on the leading face of the rod lobes, the direction of rotation of the crankshaft forces oil through into funneled openings
Data Source
AI summary
An improved crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a self-pumping feature for oil to lubricate the rod bearing journals. Leading faces of the lobes carrying the rod bearing journals contain funnel ports to gather oil as the crankshaft rotates about its axis of rotation. The funnel ports are fluidly connected to an internal passageway within the crankpin. Outlet ports oriented radially inwards and outwards from the internal passageway allow the oil to flow into the space between the crankpin and the rod bearing. In this way, as the crankshaft rotates within the crank housing, oil captured by the funnel ports flows through the internal passageway and through the outlet ports so as to lubricate the rod bearing around the crankpin.