Switchable Oil Filter Drainage for Engine Crankcase
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil supply devices for internal combustion engines do not allow for simple and reliable replacement of oil filters during engine operation while minimizing external drainage of residual oil from the filter unit.
Innovation Solution
An oil supply device with a switching unit and suction device that allows selective switching of oil filter units, enabling the passive filter to be drained internally, with the suction device using a pressure oil flow to remove accumulated oil from the passive filter unit and reintegrate it into the lubricating oil circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a switchable double filter arrangement is used to allow filter replacement during operation, then the ability to service filters during engine operation is improved, but the need for external drainage of residual oil from the passive filter unit increases complexity and causes oil loss
Solution Approach 1:
A suction device is introduced as an intermediary component between the passive filter unit and the oil pan. This suction device creates a negative pressure zone that actively draws residual oil from the passive filter unit back into the lubricating oil circuit, preventing oil loss and eliminating the need for external drainage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a suction device that creates a pressure differential within the oil circuit. The suction device generates a negative pressure zone that pulls residual oil from the passive filter unit through the oil passage back into the oil pan, enabling internal drainage without external intervention.
2Loss of substance
If a suction device is added to drain residual oil internally, then oil loss is reduced and drainage is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is designed to serve multiple functions: it drains residual oil from the passive filter unit, maintains pressure balance in the oil circuit, and can operate independently or in conjunction with the existing oil pump system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing benefits beyond simple drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device is integrated into the existing oil circuit architecture, merging the drainage function with the lubricating oil circuit. The suction device shares the oil passage with the active filter unit and connects to the oil pan, combining multiple functions within a unified system rather than adding separate external drainage components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the passive filter unit is drained externally, then the drainage process is simple, but the engine must be stopped and oil loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device enables continuous operation of the engine during filter servicing. By actively drawing residual oil from the passive filter unit back into the lubricating oil circuit, the system maintains continuous oil circulation and engine operation without requiring shutdowns or external drainage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service drainage by using the existing oil circuit and suction device to automatically draw residual oil from the passive filter unit back into the oil pan. This eliminates the need for external drainage equipment and manual intervention, allowing the engine to service itself during filter replacement.
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
Enables oil filter replacement during engine operation without external drainage of residual oil, reducing oil loss and ensuring a simple, functionally reliable process by using a suction device to reintegrate drained oil into the lubricating circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device, in particular a jet pump, by means of which the oil that has accumulated in the area of the at least one passive oil filter unit can be sucked off
Implementation Method 2
the suction device being formed by a jet pump, by means of which the oil that has accumulated in the area of the at least one passive oil filter unit can be sucked off via the suction channel
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 1d
AI summary
The invention relates to an oil supply device for an internal combustion engine, in particular for a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one oil reservoir and at least one conveying device, by means of which oil is guided from the oil reservoir via at least one flow channel to at least one main oil channel of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine, wherein several oil filter units are provided in the flow path of the oil from the oil reservoir to the at least one main oil channel, and wherein a filter switching device is further provided, by means of which the oil filter units can be selectively switched into the flow path of the oil to the main oil channel such that only a part of the oil filter units, as at least one active oil filter unit, is through which the oil flows, and the other part of the oil filter units, as at least one passive oil filter unit, is not through which the oil flows.According to the invention, a switching unit (7) is provided in the flow path from the oil reservoir (3) to the oil filter units (11, 17), which in at least some of those switching positions of the filter switching device (14), in which some of the oil filter units (11, 17) are active and some of the oil filter units (11, 17) are passive, opens a first pressurized oil flow path from the oil reservoir (3) to the at least one active oil filter unit (11, 17) and further establishes a second drain flow path between the at least one passive oil filter unit (11, 17) and a drain channel (20), wherein a draining or suction device (21) is assigned to the drain channel (20), by means of which the oil accumulated in the area of the at least one passive oil filter unit (11, 17) can be drained or suctioned.