DE102015210607A1 - Powertrain with air compressor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air compressor (1) for a motor vehicle, which is drivable by means of an internal combustion engine (14) with an engine crankshaft space (3) and an engine crankshaft (12) containing an oil, comprising a housing (4) with a crankshaft space (2 ) and with a connectable to the engine crankshaft housing (3) flange (9), at least one cylinder (10) and a crankshaft (5), wherein the crankshaft (5) is mounted in the region of the flange (9) and protrudes therethrough, so a drive connection (8) within the engine crankshaft space (3) can be arranged. In order to achieve an improved functionality of the air compressor in all operating positions, it is proposed that a separating element (7) be arranged in the area of the flange (9), wherein blowby gas occurring during operation at least partially flows out of the crankshaft space (2) via the separating element (7) Air compressor (1) is dischargeable.

Description

The invention relates to an air compressor for a motor vehicle, which is drivable by means of an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle engine, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The combination of internal combustion engine and air compressor can be found anywhere where a compressed air network must be supplied with compressed air, such as in the vehicle sector, in the rail vehicle sector, in the marine propulsion sector but also in the industrial sector. For example, the compressed air network of a truck, in particular a bus, has to meet numerous requirements to an increasing extent. It is primarily to mention the activation of the brakes. Other compressed air consumers are the doors of the bus, the device for tilting the entire bus to boarding and more.

For generating the compressed air is preferably used reciprocating compressor. In this case, the air compressor unit is flanged to the internal combustion engine, in such a way that the drive connection between the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is arranged on the crankshaft of the compressor within the engine crankshaft housing.

The air compressor may comprise one or more pistons and cylinders which may be arranged in series with each other or any other known arrangement.

In the area of the flange connection, the crankshaft is mounted in the housing of the air compressor, whereby a connection remains via the flange connection and the bearing, so that an oil exchange can take place between the two crankshaft housings of drive motor and air compressor.

The blow-by gases or the blow-by, ie the air that passes into the crankshaft housing when compressing past the piston rings, as well as the oil return into the engine crankshaft space can also be made via this connection. A disadvantage of this structure is that too much oil gets from the engine crankshaft space into the crankshaft space of the compressor when the vehicle or engine is leaning too high. This then leads to an increased power loss of the air compressor and there is a risk that the oil is foamed. In addition, the then permanently higher load the risk that damage to the piston, connecting rod and crankshaft occur.

One of the objects of the invention is now to propose an alternative construction which does not have the said problems.

According to the invention this object is achieved with an air compressor according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and preferred variants of the solution are described in the subclaims dependent thereon.

According to the invention, an air compressor for a motor vehicle is proposed which can be driven by means of an internal combustion engine with an engine crankshaft chamber containing an oil and an engine crankshaft. The air compressor comprises a housing with a crankshaft space and with a connectable to the engine crankshaft housing flange, at least one cylinder and a crankshaft, wherein the crankshaft is mounted in the region of the flange and protrudes therethrough, so that a drive connection within the engine crankshaft space can be arranged.

To prevent the direct exchange of oil between the two crankshaft spaces a separating element is arranged in the region of the flange, wherein blowing gas occurring during operation at least partially via the separating element from the crankshaft space of the air compressor ( 1 ) is dissipatable.

Due to the separation of the crankshaft housing, the oil budget of the crankshaft spaces are separated, which results in improved reliability.

Depending on the requirements, elements such as shaft seal, O-ring or felt ring can be used as the separating element. Alternatively, the separator may also be a labyrinth seal. All separating elements can according to plan have a certain leakage, which allows at least a partial discharge of the blow-by gas into the engine crankshaft space.

Furthermore, the blow-by gas or the blow-by can be selectively discharged via a connection. For example, the crankshaft space of the air compressor may have a connection for discharging blow-by gas, wherein the connection may be connected to the engine crankshaft space of the internal combustion engine. If, furthermore, a valve is provided in this connection, the pressure in the crankshaft space of the air compressor can be regulated.

For the separation of oil from the blow-by gas, an oil separator can be provided. This may for example also be the oil separator of the internal combustion engine.

Depending on the design of the crankshaft space may be at least partially filled with oil, in which case an oil level control can be provided by means of the oil level in the crankshaft space is regulated. The oil level control can also have a connection to the oil sump of the engine crankshaft housing.

In order to achieve a reliable oil level control at each tilt, also several connections to the oil sump of the engine crankshaft housing may be present. These other connections are preferably positioned so that the oil level can be maintained even at greater inclinations.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that the connection with the oil sump of the engine crankshaft housing is simultaneously provided for discharging the blow-by gas.

Further features of the air compressor according to the invention and further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

In these show:

1 an air compressor mounted on the internal combustion engine

2 Detail sketch of the coupling

The figures show an air compressor 1 the on an internal combustion engine 14 is mounted. The air compressor 1 is by means of the flange 9 on the engine crankshaft housing 14 attached. The crankshaft 5 of the air compressor 1 protrudes through the flange 9 through and is in the area of the flange 9 over the camp 6 stored. The air compressor is driven 1 over the drive connection 8th , which, as shown here, may be a gear connection. The air compressor is driven 1 over the engine crankshaft 12 ,

The lubrication of the drive connection 8th takes place in this arrangement by means of the oil from the engine crankshaft space 3 , Unlike StdT is in the range of the flange 9 , for the separation of engine crankshaft space 3 and crankshaft space 2 of the air compressor 1 , a separator 7 used. This can be a shaft seal, an O-ring, a felt ring or even a labyrinth seal. It is crucial that obstructed for the particular application, an oil spill from the engine in the air compressor or for dry-running air compressor 1 , even completely stopped.

The derivation of the blow-by gas produced during operation can, with appropriate selection of the separating element 7 at least partially via this from the crankshaft space 2 of the air compressor 1 in the engine crankshaft space 3 be dissipated. Another solution is in 1 shown. Here, the accumulating gas volume is at least partially via the connection 13 and the oil separator 11 discharged, wherein the oil separator can also be the oil separator of the engine. The separated oil gets into the engine crankshaft space 3 dissipated.

In the event that the air compressor 1 in the crankshaft space 2 an oil filling is included the connection 13 in the upper area of the crankshaft space 2 arranged. The air compressor 1 but can also be performed oil-free. In this case, the connection is 13 in the area of the lowest point in the crankshaft space 2 arranged, so that an oil level control is effected by simultaneously with the blow-by gas penetrating oil is discharged.

If a certain oil level in the crankshaft housing is desired, the oil level is controlled by means of an oil level control, not shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 air compressor

2

 crankshaft space

3

 Engine crankshaft space

4

 casing

5

 crankshaft

6

 camp

7

 separating element

8th

 drive connection

9

 flange

10

 cylinder

11

 oil separator

12

 engine crankshaft

13

 connection

14

 internal combustion engine

Claims (10)

Air compressor ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, which by means of an internal combustion engine ( 14 ), with an engine crankshaft space containing an oil ( 3 ) and an engine crankshaft ( 12 ), comprising a housing ( 4 ) with a crankshaft space ( 2 ) and one with the engine crankshaft housing ( 3 ) connectable flange ( 9 ), at least one cylinder ( 10 ) and a crankshaft ( 5 ), the crankshaft ( 5 ) in the region of the flange ( 9 ) is supported and protrudes through it, so that a drive connection ( 8th ) within the engine crankshaft space ( 3 ) can be arranged, characterized in that in the region of the flange ( 9 ) a separating element ( 7 ) is arranged, wherein occurring during operation blow-through gas at least partially via the separating element ( 7 ) from the crankshaft space ( 2 ) of the air compressor ( 1 ) is dissipatable. Air compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating element ( 7 ) is a shaft seal, an o-ring, a felt ring or a labyrinth seal. Air compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the crankshaft space ( 2 ) of the air compressor, a connection ( 13 ) for the discharge of blow-by gas. Air compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that the blow-by gas via the connection ( 13 ) with the engine crankshaft space ( 3 ) of the internal combustion engine is connected. Air compressor according to claim 3, characterized in that an oil separator ( 11 ) with the connection ( 13 ) connected is. Air compressor according to claim 5, characterized in that the oil separator ( 11 ) is the oil separator of the internal combustion engine. Air compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the crankshaft space ( 2 ) is at least partially filled with oil. Air compressor according to claim 7, characterized in that the oil level in the crankshaft space ( 11 ) is controllable by means of an oil level control. Air compressor according to claim 8, characterized in that the oil level control has at least one connection with the oil sump of the engine crankshaft housing. Air compressor according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection with the oil sump of the engine crankshaft housing is provided simultaneously for the discharge of the blow-by gas.

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