DE102017105539A1 - oil pan - Google Patents

Abstract

To an oil pan, comprising a bottom wall and a lateral outer wall, which extends in the mounted state of the oil pan in the direction of gravity from the bottom wall upwards, and an oil storage area, which is arranged in an interior of the oil pan and in operation of the oil pan to a storage level is provided with oil, which has improved heat and flame resistance, it is proposed that the oil pan has an oil cooling area adjacent to the side outer wall filled with oil up to a cooling level and a decoupling device for decoupling the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling area from the storage level of the oil in the oil storage area in a cooling state of the oil pan.

Description

The present invention relates to an oil pan, which has a bottom wall and a lateral outer wall which extends in the mounted state of the oil pan in the direction of gravity from the bottom wall upwards, and an oil storage area, which is arranged in an interior of the oil pan and during operation of the oil pan to a storage level filled with oil.

Such oil pans are known from the prior art, serve to receive a reservoir of an engine oil for an internal combustion engine and are attached to an engine block of the internal combustion engine.

Known oil pans with a base made of a plastic material, in comparison to oil pans of other materials, such as steel or aluminum, lower resistance to fire and high heat, which is due to the lower melting point of the plastic material and its lower strength.

The present invention has for its object to provide an oil pan of the type mentioned, which has an improved heat and flame resistance.

This object is achieved in an oil pan with the features of the preamble of claim 1 according to the invention in that the oil pan an adjacent to the lateral outer wall oil cooling area, which is filled to a cooling level with oil, and a decoupling device for decoupling the cooling level of the oil in the Oil cooling range of the storage level of the oil in the oil storage area in a cooling state of the oil pan comprises.

Preferably, by means of the decoupling device, a cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling region is adjustable, which is above the storage level of the oil in the oil storage region.

The present invention is based on the concept of producing an increased oil level in an oil cooling region of the interior of the oil sump which directly adjoins the lateral outer wall of the oil sump, so that the largest possible proportion of the lateral outer wall is in contact with oil which is in contact with oil located in the oil cooling area.

Namely, when the oil pan is exposed to high heat or flames, the outer side wall may give heat to this oil in the areas where it contacts oil of the oil cooling area, so that the oil has a cooling effect on the outer side wall. The material of the lateral outer wall can assume a maximum of the oil temperature at the inside of the outer wall facing the oil cooling area. As a result, the material structure of the lateral outer wall retains a higher residual rigidity when exposed to high heat and / or direct flame contact. The collapse or breaking of the outer wall is greatly delayed or completely prevented.

When referring to cooling in this specification and in the appended claims, it does not mean active refrigeration by refrigeration, but passive refrigeration by removing heat from the lateral outer wall of the oil pan.

The present invention is based on the finding that in particular oil pans made of a plastic material, for example of a polyamide material, with high heat, for example in the case of engine fire, just fail where no oil rests against the inside of the lateral outer wall of the oil pan. There reaches the lack of cooling, the surface of the oil pan its melting point, so that the outer wall melts and / or aufklafft by the mass of the oil contained in the oil pan. This allows oil or liquid oil to escape from the sump and accelerate the fire.

From the EP 1 871 995 B1 is known an oil pan whose interior is divided into two oil storage areas. However, both oil storage areas are always in fluid communication with each other, so that the oil level in both storage areas is always the same and there is no possibility for decoupling the oil level in one area from the oil level in the other area. Thus, this known sump is neither intended nor suitable for producing increased heat-flame resistance of the lateral outer wall of the sump by decoupling the cooling level in an oil-cooling area adjacent to the lateral outer wall from the storage level of the oil in an oil storage area of the sump.

Preferably, it is provided in the oil pan according to the invention that the oil cooling region extends along the entire lateral outer wall of the oil pan.

The oil storage area of the oil pan is preferably completely surrounded by the oil cooling area of the oil pan.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling area in the cooling state of the oil pan always above 50%, especially always above of 80%, more preferably above 90%, of the height of the lateral outer wall adjacent to the oil cooling area.

This can be achieved in particular in that an upper edge of a partition wall between the oil cooling region and the oil storage region is above 50%, in particular above 80%, particularly preferably above 90%, of the height of the lateral outer wall adjacent to the oil cooling region.

To be particularly favorable, it has been found that the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling area in the cooling state of the oil pan at the height of a mounting flange of the oil pan, by means of which the oil pan can be connected to a motor, or at most the height H of the mounting flange (that is to its Expansion in the direction of gravity, in the mounted state of the oil pan) is located below a lower edge of the mounting flange.

Specifically, the decoupling device for decoupling the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling area from the storage level of the oil in the oil storage area may include a partition wall disposed between the oil cooling area and the oil storage area.

The partition preferably extends upwardly from the bottom wall of the oil pan in the direction of gravity.

Such a partition may be permanently formed impermeable to oil.

The partition wall can have an overflow at its upper edge, through which oil can pass from the oil cooling area into the oil storage area.

The partition wall between the oil cooling region and the oil storage region is preferably designed to be closed in an annular manner.

However, if there is only an oil-impermeable overflowed partition wall, the oil in the oil cooling section may be weak or not circulated since the oil cooling section is laterally closed to the oil storage section. The oil in the oil cooling area is therefore exchanged only to a small extent.

In order to achieve an increased exchange between the oil in the oil cooling area and the oil storage area, it may be provided that the oil pan comprises at least one valve device for temporarily releasing an oil passage in the partition wall in a release state of the valve device.

The valve device may in particular be arranged on the outside of the dividing wall facing the oil cooling region or on the inside of the dividing wall facing the oil-storing region.

The valve device may be designed such that it can be converted into the release state by a control device of the engine or of the motor vehicle, in which the oil pan is arranged, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine has been taken out of operation.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the valve device can be transferred into the release state as a function of a temperature of the oil in the oil sump.

Such a transferability of the valve device into the release state as a function of the temperature of the oil which is in contact with the valve device can be realized in a particularly simple manner in that the valve device comprises a bimetallic element.

Such a bimetal element changes its shape as a function of the temperature.

In particular, it may be provided that the bimetallic element assumes the shape of a substantially flat plate at an operating temperature of the oil, which assumes the oil during operation of the internal combustion engine, and the bimetallic element at a lower standby temperature, which assumes the oil after a longer period of operation of the internal combustion engine , assumes a curved shape.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the bimetallic element assumes the form of a substantially flat plate at the rest temperature and assumes a curved shape at the operating temperature.

The bimetallic element preferably comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material is preferably greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material, in the relevant temperature range from the rest temperature to the operating temperature.

The first material of the bimetallic element may, for example, comprise copper and in particular be formed as pure copper or a copper alloy.

The second material may comprise, for example, iron and in particular be formed as a steel material, in particular as a spring steel material.

The bimetallic element may serve as a valve body which abuts a valve seat of the valve device in a closed state of the valve device and thereby closes the oil passage in the partition wall.

When the temperature increases, the bimetal element then deforms so that it no longer rests against the valve seat and thus releases the oil passage in the partition so that oil can pass from the oil cooling area into the oil storage area.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the bimetallic element is designed as a drive element of the valve device, which is in operative connection with a valve body of the valve device, that the bimetallic element on lowering the oil temperature from the operating temperature to the rest temperature, a movement of the valve body of the Closing state in which the valve body abuts the valve seat of the valve device and closes the oil passage in the partition, in the release state in which the valve body is spaced from the valve seat and the oil passage in the partition wall releases, drives.

In this case, the valve body may be formed, for example, as a valve flap, which is preferably held pivotably on the valve seat and / or on a valve housing of the valve device.

During operation of a motor connected to the oil pan motor, the valve device is preferably at least temporarily, in particular always, in a closed state in which the valve device shoots the oil passage in the partition wall. In this way, it is possible to set a cooling level, which is higher than the storage level of the oil in the oil storage area during operation of the engine in the oil cooling area.

At the upper edge of the partition between the oil cooling area and the oil storage area, an overflow is preferably provided, through which oil from the oil cooling area, in particular directly, can get into the oil storage area.

The oil cooling area preferably has an oil inlet, through which oil entering the oil sump from the engine passes, in particular directly, into the oil cooling area.

In a particular embodiment of the invention it is provided that in the oil cooling region a flow guide is provided, which extends the flow path of the oil from the oil inlet to an oil outlet of the oil cooling region through which oil can pass from the oil cooling area in the oil storage area. This prevents oil entering the oil cooling section from directly entering the oil inlet of the oil cooling section from the oil inlet and exiting therefrom into the oil reservoir section. In this way, the largest proportion of the oil in the oil cooling area would be excluded from a fluid exchange with the oil storage area.

By the Strömungsleitvorrichtung, however, causes the entering into the oil cooling area oil along the preferably the entire oil cooling area sensing flow path from the oil inlet to the oil outlet moves along, so that successively substantially all of the oil absorbed in the oil cooling area through the oil outlet in the oil storage area and thus substantially all of the oil contained in the oil cooling area is exchanged over time.

The flow-guiding device can in particular comprise at least one flow-guiding element, for example in the form of a flow-deflecting wall, from the oil inlet in the direction of gravity downwards into the region below 50%, in particular into the region below 30%, the height of the at Oil cooling region adjacent lateral outer wall and / or extends to the range below 50%, in particular to the range below 30%, the height of the adjacent to the oil cooling region partition wall between the oil cooling region and the oil storage area.

In order to achieve that a disproportionately large amount of oil is supplied to the oil cooling area, so that the cooling level in the oil cooling area may increase rapidly, it may be provided that the oil sump comprises an oil return guide which directs oil entering the oil sump to the oil inlet of the oil cooling area ,

The oil return guide device may in particular comprise a funnel.

The oil return guide device preferably extends into the region vertically above the oil outlet of the oil cooling region (in the mounted state of the oil pan), more preferably also into the region vertically above the oil storage region (in the mounted state of the oil pan).

It is particularly advantageous if at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 90%, of the inner surface of the lateral outer wall of the oil pan adjacent to the oil cooling region of the oil pan, at least when the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling region in the cooling state of the oil pan his reached the highest level.

The highest level of the cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling area preferably corresponds to the height of the overflow at the upper edge of the dividing wall between the oil cooling area and the oil storage area.

The present invention further relates to a method for preventing a heat sink failure of an oil pan.

The present invention has the further object of providing such a method, which improves in particular the heat and flame resistance of an oil pan of a plastic material.

• - Füllen eines an eine seitliche Außenwand der Ölwanne angrenzenden Ölkühlungsbereichs der Ölwanne mit Öl bis zu einem Kühlniveau; und
• - Entkoppeln des Kühlniveaus von einem Speicherniveau, bis zu welchem ein Ölspeicherbereich der Ölwanne mit Öl gefüllt ist, in einem Kühlzustand der Ölwanne.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method which comprises:

• - filling an oil cooling area of the oil sump adjacent to a lateral outer wall of the sump with oil up to a cooling level; and
• Decoupling the cooling level from a storage level to which an oil storage area of the oil pan is filled with oil in a cooling state of the oil pan.

The advantageous effects of the method according to the invention and special embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been explained above in connection with the oil sump according to the invention or with special embodiments of the sump according to the invention.

The oil pan according to the invention is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for preventing a heat caused by a failure of an oil pan.

The oil pan according to the invention preferably comprises an integrally formed body.

The main body preferably comprises a thermoplastic plastic material, for example a polyamide material, in particular polyamide 6.6.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the main body of the oil pan is formed of a glass fiber reinforced plastic material, in particular of a glass fiber reinforced polyamide material.

The base body of the oil sump can be produced in an injection molding process, in particular in a cascade injection molding process.

An oil sump with a base made of a plastic material offers the advantage that the oil storage volume can be increased in a simple manner by means of laterally set additional chambers.

If these additional chambers are part of the oil cooling region of the oil pan, this offers the advantage that these additional chambers are filled with oil to a high percentage, preferably completely, due to the increased cooling level of the oil in the oil cooling region during operation of the engine, so that the through the additional chambers provided additional oil storage volume is used particularly effectively.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ölwanne, die einen vorderen tiefen Bereich und einen hinteren flachen Bereich umfasst, wobei der flache Bereich sich in einer Ölwannen-Längsrichtung des Grundkörpers der Ölwanne von dem tiefen Bereich weg erstreckt und wobei im Innenraum der Ölwanne eine Trennwand vorgesehen ist, welche einen Ölkühlungsbereich der Ölwanne von einem Ölspeicherbereich der Ölwanne trennt, mit Blick auf eine im montierten Zustand dem Motorblock zugewandte Oberseite der Ölwanne;
• 2 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Ölwanne aus 1 mit Blick auf eine im montierten Zustand der Ölwanne dem Motorblock abgewandte Unterseite der Ölwanne;
• 3 eine Draufsicht von oben auf die Ölwanne aus den 1 und 2;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht des Grundkörpers der Ölwanne aus den 1 bis 3, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 4 in 3;
• 5 eine Vorderansicht der Ölwanne aus den 1 bis 4, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 5 in 3;
• 6 eine Ansicht der Ölwanne aus den 1 bis 5 von hinten, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 6 in 3;
• 7 einen vertikalen Querschnitt durch die Ölwanne aus den 1 bis 6, längs der Linie 7 - 7 in 3;
• 8 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Ölwanne, die eine Trennwand umfasst, welche einen Ölkühlungsbereich von einem Ölspeicherbereich der Ölwanne trennt, und eine Ölrücklauf-Leitvorrichtung umfasst, welche vom Motor in die Ölwanne eintretendes Öl zu einem Öleinlass des Ölkühlungsbereichs lenkt, mit Blick auf eine im montierten Zustand dem Motorblock zugewandte Oberseite der Ölwanne;
• 9 eine Draufsicht auf die Ölwanne aus 8 von oben;
• 10 eine Seitenansicht der Ölwanne aus den 8 und 9, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 10 in 9;
• 11 eine Vorderansicht der Ölwanne aus den 8 bis 10, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 11 in 9;
• 12 eine Ansicht der Ölwanne aus den 8 bis 11 von hinten, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 12 in 9;
• 13 einen vertikalen Querschnitt durch die Ölwanne aus den 8 bis 12, längs der Linie 13 - 13 in 9;
• 14 einen vertikalen Schnitt durch die Ölwanne aus den 8 bis 13, längs der Linie 14 - 14 in 9;
• 15 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Ventilvorrichtung zum zeitweisen Freigeben eines Öldurchlasses in einer Trennwand einer Ölwanne zwischen einem Ölkühlungsbereich und einem Ölspeicherbereich der Ölwanne, wobei die Ventilvorrichtung ein Bimetallelement als Ventilkörper zum Verschließen des Öldurchlasses umfasst und sich in einem Schließzustand befindet, mit Blick auf eine Vorderseite der Ventilvorrichtung;
• 16 eine der 15 entsprechende perspektivische Darstellung der Ventilvorrichtung, jedoch ohne das den Öldurchlass verschließende Bimetallelement;
• 17 eine Draufsicht auf eine dem Öldurchlass zugewandte Rückseite des Bimetallelements;
• 18 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 17, mit Blick auf eine Rückseite der Ventilvorrichtung;
• 19 eine Vorderansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 18;
• 20 eine der 19 entsprechende Vorderansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 19, jedoch ohne das den Öldurchlass verschließende Bimetallelement;
• 21 eine Seitenansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 19, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 21 in 19;
• 22 eine Ansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 21 von hinten, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 22 in 21;
• 23 einen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch die Ventilvorrichtung aus den 15 bis 22, längs der Linie 23 - 23 in 19;
• 24 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Ventilvorrichtung zum zeitweisen Freigeben eines Öldurchlasses in der Trennwand zwischen dem Ölkühlungsbereich und dem Ölspeicherbereich einer Ölwanne in einem Freigabezustand der Ventilvorrichtung, wobei die Ventilvorrichtung eine schwenkbar gehaltene Ventilklappe und ein Bimetallelement zum Antreiben einer Bewegung der Ventilklappe von dem Freigabezustand in einen Schließzustand umfasst, mit Blick auf eine Vorderseite der Ventilvorrichtung;
• 25 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Ventilvorrichtung aus 24, mit Blick auf eine Rückseite der Ventilvorrichtung;
• 26 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 und 25, mit Blick auf die Vorderseite der Ventilvorrichtung, jedoch ohne die Ventilklappe zum Verschließen eines Öldurchlasses der Ventilvorrichtung;
• 27 eine perspektivische Darstellung der schwenkbar gehaltenen Ventilklappe, des Bimetallelements und eines Distanzelements der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 26;
• 28 eine Vorderansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 27;
• 29 eine Seitenansicht der Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 28, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 29 in 28;
• 30 einen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch die Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 29, längs der Linie 30 - 30 in 28;
• 31 eine Draufsicht auf die Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 30 von hinten, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 31 in 29; und
• 32 einen horizontalen Querschnitt durch die Ventilvorrichtung aus den 24 bis 31, längs der Linie 32 - 32 in 28.

In the drawings show:

• 1 a perspective view of an oil pan, which includes a front deep area and a rear flat area, the flat area extending in an oil pan longitudinal direction of the main body of the oil pan from the deep area and wherein in the interior of the oil pan, a partition wall is provided, which separating an oil cooling area of the oil pan from an oil storage area of the oil pan, facing an upper side of the oil pan facing the engine block when assembled;
• 2 another perspective view of the oil pan 1 overlooking an underside of the oil sump facing away from the engine block when the sump is mounted;
• 3 a top view of the sump from above 1 and 2 ;
• 4 a side view of the main body of the oil pan from the 1 to 3 , looking in the direction of arrow 4 in 3 ;
• 5 a front view of the oil pan from the 1 to 4 , looking in the direction of arrow 5 in 3 ;
• 6 a view of the oil pan from the 1 to 5 from the rear, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 in 3 ;
• 7 a vertical cross section through the oil pan from the 1 to 6 , along the line 7 - 7 in 3 ;
• 8th 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an oil pan that includes a partition that separates an oil cooling area from an oil storage area of the oil pan, and an oil return guide that directs oil entering the oil pan from the engine to an oil inlet of the oil cooling area, looking at a in the mounted state, the engine block facing top of the oil pan;
• 9 a plan view of the oil pan 8th from above;
• 10 a side view of the oil pan from the 8th and 9 , looking in the direction of the arrow 10 in 9 ;
• 11 a front view of the oil pan from the 8th to 10 , looking in the direction of arrow 11 in 9 ;
• 12 a view of the oil pan from the 8th to 11 from the rear, looking in the direction of the arrow 12 in 9 ;
• 13 a vertical cross section through the oil pan from the 8th to 12 , along the line 13 - 13 in 9 ;
• 14 a vertical section through the sump from the 8th to 13 , along the line 14 - 14 in 9 ;
• 15 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a valve device for temporarily releasing an oil passage in a partition wall of an oil pan between an oil cooling area and an oil storage area of the oil pan, wherein the valve device comprises a bimetallic element as a valve body for closing the oil passage and is in a closed state, facing a Front of the valve device;
• 16 one of the 15 corresponding perspective view of the valve device, but without the bimetallic element closing the oil passage;
• 17 a plan view of the oil passage facing the back of the bimetallic element;
• 18 a further perspective view of the valve device of the 15 to 17 facing a rear of the valve device;
• 19 a front view of the valve device of the 15 to 18 ;
• 20 one of the 19 corresponding front view of the valve device from the 15 to 19 but without the bimetallic element closing off the oil passage;
• 21 a side view of the valve device of the 15 to 19 , looking in the direction of arrow 21 in 19 ;
• 22 a view of the valve device of the 15 to 21 from the rear, looking in the direction of the arrow 22 in 21 ;
• 23 a vertical longitudinal section through the valve device of the 15 to 22 , along the line 23 - 23 in 19 ;
• 24 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a valve device for temporarily releasing an oil passage in the partition wall between the oil cooling area and the oil storage area of an oil pan in a release state of the valve device, wherein the valve device comprises a pivotally supported valve flap and a bimetallic element for driving a movement of the valve flap from the release state in a closed state, facing a front side of the valve device;
• 25 another perspective view of the valve device 24 facing a rear of the valve device;
• 26 a further perspective view of the valve device of the 24 and 25 facing the front of the valve device but without the valve flap for closing an oil passage of the valve device;
• 27 a perspective view of the pivotally held valve flap, the bimetallic element and a spacer element of the valve device of the 24 to 26 ;
• 28 a front view of the valve device of the 24 to 27 ;
• 29 a side view of the valve device of the 24 to 28 , looking in the direction of arrow 29 in 28 ;
• 30 a vertical longitudinal section through the valve device of the 24 to 29 , along the line 30 - 30 in 28 ;
• 31 a plan view of the valve device of the 24 to 30 from the rear, looking in the direction of the arrow 31 in 29 ; and
• 32 a horizontal cross section through the valve device of the 24 to 31 , along the line 32 - 32 in 28 ,

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in all figures.

One in the 1 to 8th shown as a whole and designated 100 sump includes a trough-shaped body 102 which has a front, deep area 104 and a rear, flat area 106 includes, the flat area 106 in an oil pan longitudinal direction 108 the oil pan 100 and the body 102 from the deep area 104 extends away.

The flat area 106 of the basic body 102 facing each other, in the longitudinal direction 108 extending side walls 110 on, the one at the deep area 104 remote from the rear end of the body 102 through a rear wall 112 connected together, as well as a floor 114 which has the two side walls 110 connects with each other.

The floor 114 of the flat area 106 of the basic body 102 is in the installed state of the oil sump 100 almost horizontal, with a slight inclination to the deep area 104 of the basic body 102 the oil pan 100 out, aligned.

The front deep area 104 of the basic body 102 the oil pan 100 includes a floor 116 , one of the shallow area 106 the oil pan 100 facing away from the front wall 118, one the ground 116 of the deep area 104 with the ground 114 of the flat area 106 connecting rear wall 120 and two the front wall 118 with the rear wall 120 connecting side walls 122 , which are substantially parallel to the oil pan longitudinal direction 108 extend.

Around the top of the deep area 104 and the top of the flat area 106 of the basic body 102 the oil pan 100 runs a mounting flange 124, which is the assembly of the body 102 the oil pan 100 (via a seal, not shown) to the engine block of a (not shown) internal combustion engine is used.

The mounting flange 124 has a plurality of in the circumferential direction of the mounting flange 124 spaced apart recordings 126 for mounting screws (not shown) with which the oil sump 100 can be fixed to the engine block.

To the main body 102 the oil pan 100 to stiffen and the same from impact effects from outside the oil pan 100 , in particular from falling rocks, can protect the sump 100 with a ribbing 128 be provided.

The ribbing 128 can in particular transverse ribs 130 include, which on the outside of the body 102 are arranged and, starting from the mounting flange 124 , in a direction of gravity 132 down over a side wall 110 of the flat area 106 or over a sidewall 122 of the deep area 104 the oil pan 100 , in a direction perpendicular to the oil pan longitudinal direction 108 and perpendicular to the direction of gravity 132 aligned oil pan transverse direction 134 over the ground 114 the flat area 106 or the floor 116 of the deep area 104 and then again in the direction of gravity 132 upwards over one of the first side walls 110 opposite other side wall 110 of the flat area 106 or another side wall 122 of the deep area 104 the oil pan 100 up to the mounting flange 124 extend.

The transverse ribs 130 are preferably in the oil pan longitudinal direction 108 , in particular substantially equidistant, spaced from each other.

Furthermore, the ribbing 128 longitudinal ribs 136 include, which on the outside of the body 102 the oil pan 100 are arranged and, starting from the mounting flange 124 , in the direction of gravity 132 down over the front wall 118 of the deep area 104 the oil pan 100 , in the oil pan longitudinal direction 108 over the ground 116 the deep area 104 of the oil pan 100 , along the back wall 120 of the deep area 104 from the ground 116 of the deep area 104 to the ground 114 of the flat area 106, across the floor 114 of the flat area 106 in the oil pan longitudinal direction 108 and over the rear wall 112 of the flat area 106 the oil pan 100 in the direction of gravity 132 extend up to the mounting flange 124.

The longitudinal ribs 136 are preferably in the oil pan transverse direction 134 , in particular substantially equidistant, spaced from each other.

The front wall 118 , the side walls 122 of the deep area 104 , the side walls 110 of the flat area 106 and the back wall 112 the flat portion 106 of the oil pan 100 together form a, preferably annular closed, lateral outer wall 138 the oil pan 100 , which has an interior 140 of the oil pan 100 encloses and in the mounted state of the oil pan 100 of the through the floor 116 of the deep area 104 , the back wall 120 of the deep area 104 and the floor 114 of the flat area 106 formed bottom wall 142 the oil pan 100 in the direction of gravity 132 extends upwards.

In the interior 140 the oil pan 100 is a partition 144 arranged, which as well as the lateral outer wall 138 in the assembled state of the oil sump 100 from the bottom wall 142 the oil pan 100 extends upward in the direction of gravity 132, preferably to about the height of the lower edge of the mounting flange 124 (see the sectional view in 7 ).

This partition 144 preferably runs substantially parallel to the same surrounding lateral outer wall 138 and is preferably also substantially closed annularly.

The partition 144 separates one inside the partition 144 lying area of the interior 140 the oil pan 100 , hereinafter referred to as oil storage area 146, from one between the partition wall 144 and the lateral outer wall 138 the oil pan 100 lying region of the interior 140 of the oil pan 100 , which is referred to below as the oil cooling region 148.

The oil cooling area 148 can through transverse walls 150 extending in the oil pan transverse direction 134 from the dividing wall 144 extend to the lateral outer wall 138 and preferably in the region of the transition between the flat area 106 and the deep area 104 the oil pan 100 are arranged, in a front oil cooling area 148a and in a rear oil cooling area 148b be divided.

The partition 144 may be provided to increase their mechanical rigidity with ribs 152, which in the mounted state of the oil pan 100 preferably from the bottom wall 142 in the direction of gravity 132 up to the top 154 the partition 144 extend.

In the circumferential direction of the partition 144 are these ribs 152 preferably spaced apart, in particular substantially equidistant.

The mounting flange 124 the oil pan 100 surrounds a - in the assembled state of the oil pan 100 preferably substantially horizontally oriented - oil inlet surface 156 the oil pan 100 through which from the engine block to the oil sump 100 connected internal combustion engine oil in liquid form and / or in the form of oil mist in the interior 140 of the oil pan 100 entry.

The in the operation of the internal combustion engine in the oil pan 100 entering oil mist is mainly on the inside of the lateral outer wall 138 down and runs down into the oil cooling area 148 the interior 140 of the oil pan 100 from.

Furthermore, the oil return passages (not shown) of the engine block are preferably arranged on the engine block such that the oil emerging from these oil return passages passes through the outside area 156a the oil inlet surface 156 the oil pan 100 , which in the assembled state of the oil pan 100 vertically above the oil cooling area 148 lies (see 7 ), directly into the oil cooling area 148 of the interior 140 the oil pan 100 arrives.

By this influx of out of the engine into the oil sump 100 Returning oil increases the oil level in the oil cooling area 148 during operation of the internal combustion engine and the oil sump 100 rapidly up to the upper edge 154 of the partition 144 which has an overflow 158 forms over which excess oil from the oil cooling area 148 overflows into the oil storage area 146.

The oil cooling area 148 the oil pan 100 is therefore in a cooling state of the oil pan always up to a cooling level 160 which is at the height of the overflow 158 or just below the overflow 158 lies, filled with oil.

From the oil storage area 146 of the interior 140 the oil pan 100 is, however, in operation of the oil pan 100 and the engine sucked oil through an oil suction pipe (not shown) to supply the same to the engine.

The oil storage area 146 is therefore in operation of the oil sump 100 up to a (variable) storage level 162 filled with oil, the storage level 162 always below the cooling level 160 lies.

Because the partition 144 between the oil storage area 146 and the oil cooling region 148 is oil-impermeable, forms the partition 144 a decoupling device 164 which balances the oil levels in the oil storage area 146 and in the oil cooling area 148 prevents and thus the cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 from the storage level 162 of the oil in the oil storage area 146 decoupled.

In particular, by the decoupling device 164 achieved that during operation of the oil pan 100 and the internal combustion engine, the cooling level 160 of the oil cooling area 148 at least in the deep area 104 the oil pan 100 , always above 50%, preferably above 90%, the height of each of the oil cooling area 148 adjacent portion of the lateral outer wall 138 is located.

Particularly preferred is the cooling level 160 of the oil cooling area 148 at the height of the mounting flange 124 the oil pan 100 or just below, preferably at most around Height H of the mounting flange 124 (please refer 7 ) in the direction of gravity 132 under a lower edge of the mounting flange 124 ,

This ensures that the oil pan 100 the cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 , which on the lateral outer wall 138 the oil pan 100 is adjacent, always so high that the majority of the lateral outer wall 138 on its inside in contact with the oil cooling area 148 is located oil. As a result, the oil-contacting portion of the lateral outer wall becomes 138 especially when exposed to flame and / or heat from the outside of the oil pan 100 cooled by the oil in the oil cooling area 148, so that the material of the lateral outer wall 138 maximum assumes the oil temperature.

This keeps the structure of the lateral outer wall 138 even when exposed to high temperatures and / or direct flame contact a higher residual stiffness, whereby a collapse or breaking of the lateral outer wall 138 is greatly delayed or even completely prevented.

The partition 144 the decoupling device 164 is preferably integral with the body 102 the oil pan 100 educated.

The main body 102 - including the partition 144 - Is preferably made of a thermoplastic plastic material, for example of a polyamide material, in particular of the polyamide 6.6 , educated.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the basic body 102 - including the partition 144 - Is formed of a glass fiber reinforced plastic material, in particular of a glass fiber reinforced polyamide material.

The main body 102 can be produced in an injection molding process, in particular in a cascade injection molding process.

How best 7 can be seen, it can be provided that the partition 144 is starting from the bottom wall 142 tapers to its upper edge 154.

In the in the 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment of an oil pan 100 with an oil cooling area 148 passing through a partition 144 from an oil storage area 146 in the interior 140 the oil pan 100 is separated, finds only a small exchange between the oil in the oil cooling area 148 and the oil in the oil storage area 146 instead, because only through the oil inlet surface 156 the oil pan 100 new in the oil cooling area 148 entering oil over the overflow 158 in the oil storage area 146 can pass, leaving the oil within the oil cooling area 148 only very weak or not circulated and thus hardly any exchange with the oil takes place in the oil storage area 146.

One in the 8th to 14 illustrated second embodiment of an oil pan 100 is different from the one in the 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment in particular by the fact that in the oil cooling area 148 a flow guide 166 is provided, which controls the flow path of the oil from an oil inlet 168 of the oil cooling area 148 through which the internal combustion engine into the oil sump 100 entering oil enters the oil cooling area 148, up to an oil outlet 170 of the oil cooling area 148 through which oil from the oil cooling area 148 in the oil storage area 146 can get extended.

This flow guide 166 includes a flow guide 172 , for example in the form of a flow guide 174 extending from the oil inlet 168 above the cooling level 160 in the direction of gravity 132 down into the oil reservoir in the oil cooling area 148 up to the range below 50%, in particular in the range below 30%, the height of the oil cooling area 148 adjacent lateral exterior wall 138 extends.

How best 13 can be seen, divides the flow deflector 174 thus the oil cooling area 148 in one of the lateral outer wall 138 the oil pan 100 facing inlet area 176 and one of the dividing wall 144 facing outlet area 178 , where the outlet area 178 through an oil passage 180 which extends from the bottom wall 142 in the direction of gravity 132 up to a lower edge 182 the flow guide wall 174 extends to the inlet area 176 is in fluid communication.

Due to the presence of the flow guide wall 174 can thus do so through the oil inlet 168 in the oil cooling area 148 getting oil not directly to the oil outlet 170 and from there over the overflow 158 get into the oil storage area 146; rather, it pushes fresh through the oil inlet 168 into the inlet area 176 of the oil cooling area 148 reaching oil according to the principle of communicating tubes at the oil outlet 170 the outlet area 178 at the cooling level 160 located oil through the overflow 158 into the oil storage area 146, whereupon into the oil storage area 146 outflowing oil through from the area of the oil passage 180 at the lower end of the oil cooling area 148 rising oil is replaced.

According to this siphon principle, this is the oil inlet 168 gradually entering the oil cooling area 148 only through the inlet area 176 down and then through the outlet area 178 transported back up so that gradually the entire volume of oil from the oil cooling area 148 to the oil outlet 170 and over the overflow 158 enters the oil storage area 146, whereby a constant oil exchange in the oil cooling area 148 is ensured, always a compared to the storage level 162 in the oil storage area 146 increased cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 is maintained.

In this second embodiment, the oil pan comprises 100 Further, an oil return guide 184, which from the engine forth in the oil pan 100 entering oil to the oil inlet 168 of the inlet area 176 of the oil cooling region 148 out.

This oil return guide 184 In particular, an oil return baffle 186 extends from an upper edge of the flow baffle 174 the flow guide 166 from, at an angle α with respect to the direction of gravity 132 in the assembled state of the oil pan 100 inclined, in the area vertically above the oil outlet 170 the outlet area 178 of the oil cooling area 148, and preferably also in the area vertically above the oil storage area 146 of the oil pan 100 extends.

Preferably, the oil return guide device covers 184 the oil outlet 170 of the oil cooling area 148 Completely.

The inclination angle α with respect to the direction of gravity 132 is in the assembled state of the oil pan 100 preferably more than 45 ° and / or less than 80 °.

The partition 144 opposite top of the oil return baffle 186 acts as an oil return guide surface 188 , Which coming from the internal combustion engine oil coming from the oil outlet 170 of the oil cooling area 148 and part of the oil storage area 146 keeps away and to the oil inlet 168 of the oil cooling area 148 leads.

This ensures that more oil through the oil inlet 168 enters the oil cooling region 148 as through the oil outlet 170 , so that a preferred flow direction of the oil cooling area 148 from the oil inlet 168 to the oil outlet 170 is established.

How best of the 8th . 9 and 14 As can be seen, the flow guide 166 comprises transverse webs 190 which transverse, preferably substantially perpendicular, to the flow guide 174 are aligned and in the assembled state of the oil pan 100 from the partition 144 up to the lateral outer wall 138 through the oil cooling area 148 extend.

There is an outer edge 192 each crossbar 190 preferably in a substantially longitudinal direction of gravity 132 aligned guide profile 194 on the inside of the lateral outer wall 138 guided while an inner edge 196 each crossbar 190 preferably in a substantially longitudinal direction of gravity 132 extending guide profile 198 at the side outer wall 138 facing outside of the partition 144 is guided.

The flow guide 166 and the oil return guide 184 are preferably formed integrally with each other and can be separated from the main body 102 of the oil pan 100 be prepared.

The flow guide 166 and the oil return guide 184 can thus in particular together a Ölleitvorrichtung 200 form.

The oil guiding device 200 is preferably made of a thermoplastic plastic material, for example of a polyamide material, in particular of the polyamide 6.6 , educated.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the Ölleitvorrichtung 200 is formed of a glass fiber reinforced plastic material, in particular of a glass fiber reinforced polyamide material.

The oil guiding device 200 can be produced in an injection molding process, in particular in a cascade injection molding process.

The oil guiding device 200 may in particular be formed of the same material as the main body 102 the oil pan 100 ,

After production, the Ölleitvorrichtung 200 with their crossbars 190 in the leadership profiles 194 and 198 the lateral outer wall 138 or the partition 144 be inserted.

The oil guiding device 200 can be detachable on the body 102 the oil pan 100 be held, for example by press-fitting or by positive engagement, in particular by locking.

The releasable fixing of the Ölleitvorrichtung 200 on the body 102 the oil pan 100 has the advantage that the Ölleitvorrichtung 200 for cleaning or maintenance purposes of the body 102 can be removed.

Alternatively, it is also possible, the Ölleitvorrichtung 200 in the inserted into the base 102 state to fix insoluble, for example by gluing and / or by welding.

Incidentally, the right in the 8th to 14 illustrated second embodiment of an oil pan 100 in terms of structure, function and method of production with in the 1 to 7 illustrated in the first embodiment, reference is made to the above description in this regard.

Another way to achieve an oil exchange between the oil cooling area 148 and the oil storage area 146 while maintaining one above the storage level 162 of the oil in the oil storage area 146 lying cooling levels 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 is that the oil pan 100 a valve device 202 for temporarily releasing an oil passage in the partition wall 144 in a release state of the valve device 202.

A first embodiment of such a valve device 202 is in the 15 to 23 shown.

This valve device 202 includes a pedestal 204 , which at a portion of the partition 144 can be fixed, which has an oil passage (not shown).

The base 204 carries a valve seat 206 , wherein an oil passageway 208 through the pedestal 204 and the valve seat 206 extends through.

To close the oil passage 208 in a closed state of the valve device 202, a valve body is used 210 which in this embodiment is a bimetallic element 212 includes.

The bimetal element 212 includes a first layer 213a from a first material, which is the valve seat 206 turned away, and a second layer 213b of a second material, which is the valve body 210 is facing.

Preferably, the first material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the second material in the temperature range from the quiescent temperature of the oil during long operating pauses of the internal combustion engine and the operating temperature of the oil with continued operation of the internal combustion engine.

The first material and / or the second material is preferably a metallic material.

For example, as the first material, a copper-containing material, for example, pure copper or a copper alloy may be used.

As a second material, for example, an iron-containing material, in particular a steel material, for example a spring steel material, in particular the material 1.4310 or material 1.4301 according to DIN EN 10151, can be used.

17 shows a plan view of the valve seat 206 facing inside 214 of the valve body 210 ,

This inside 214 can be provided with a, preferably annularly closed, sealing surface 216 made of an elastomeric material, for example AEM ("ethylene acrylate rubber"), which in the closed state of the valve device 202, the outlet opening of the oil passageway 208 surrounds.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the inside 214 of the valve body 210 is substantially over the entire surface with a coating of an elastomeric material, such as AEM, provided.

The sealing element 216 lies in the closed state of the valve device 202 preferably on a sealing bead 218 which is on the valve seat 206 is arranged and the outlet opening of the oil passageway 208 surrounded by a ring.

The sealing bead 218 may be formed, for example, of a polyamide material.

The sealing bead 218 may in particular be integral with the valve seat 206 be educated.

The valve seat 206 can in particular be integral with the socket 204 the valve device 202 may be formed.

Instead of a sealing bead 218 at the valve seat 206 can also be provided that on the inside 214 of the valve body 210 a sealing lip, for example made of an elastomeric material, is arranged.

To the valve body 210 at the valve seat 206 set, for example, be provided that the valve seat 206 one or more retaining elements 220, for example in the form of retaining pins 222 , which, with one or more corresponding thereto holding elements 224 on the valve body 210, for example in the form of holding openings 226 , are engageable.

In particular, it can be provided that the holding elements 224 the valve body 210 and the retaining elements 220 of the valve seat 206 be connected by adhesion, by positive engagement and / or by material connection.

For example, it can be provided that the holding elements 224 the valve body 210 and the holding elements 220 of the valve seat 206 be connected by hot caulking or by screwing together.

The valve device 202 is with the valve body 210 remote abutment surface 228 of the base 204 on an area of the partition wall having the oil passage 144 put on and on the partition wall 144 fixed, preferably by material adhesion, in particular by gluing or welding.

The valve device 202 Can be at the oil storage area 146 facing inside of the partition 144 to be ordered. This offers the advantage that for the determination of the valve device 202 on the partition 144 For example, for the welding of the valve device 202 with the partition 144, in the oil storage area 146 the oil pan 100 more work space is available, indicating the assembly of the valve device 202 facilitated.

The valve device 202 but also at the oil cooling area 148 facing outside of the partition 144 to be ordered. This offers the advantage of being due to the higher cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 increased hydrostatic pressure in the oil cooling area 148 the valve body 210 in the closed state at the valve seat 206 pretensions and thus the closure of the valve device 202 supported.

The bimetal element 212 the valve device 202 is preferably designed so that the valve body 210 at a high oil temperature, as occurs in the continuous operation of the internal combustion engine, takes the form of a substantially flat plate, which with the sealing element 216 substantially fluid-tight at the sealing bead 218 of the valve seat 206 is applied.

As a result, the fluid connection between the oil cooling area 148 and the oil storage area 146 through the oil passage 208 the valve device 202 is prevented through, so that in the oil cooling area 148 the desired high cooling level 160 during operation of the internal combustion engine adjusts, which is sufficient cooling of the lateral outer wall 138 in case of an oil sump 100 guaranteed with heat and / or flames.

If the oil temperature drops after a certain time of the stoppage of the internal combustion engine, the layer shrinks 213a from the first material stronger than the second layer 213b from the second material, so that the valve body 210 - in plan view of the valve seat 206 facing away from the valve body 230 - concavely curves and thus moves away from the valve seat 206.

As a result, the valve device 202 transferred from the closed state to the release state, in which the valve device 202 the oil passage in the partition 144 releases, leaving oil from the oil cooling area 148 in the oil storage area 146 can escape to an oil exchange between the oil cooling area 148 and the oil storage area 146 and thus to allow sufficient oil circulation.

When the internal combustion engine is restarted, a certain start-up time is required until the oil temperature has risen sufficiently to return the bimetallic element 212 to the substantially planar shape in which it seals the oil passageway 208 closes. When the valve device 202 has been returned to the closed state by increasing the oil temperature from the release state, the cooling level is 160 in the oil cooling area 148 from the storage level 162 in the oil storage area 146 decoupled and can return to the height of the overflow 158 rise to a heat and flame protection over the entire height of the lateral outer wall 138 to ensure.

The valve device 202 thus represents a temperature-controlled valve, which is transferred at high oil temperatures in the closed state and is transferred at low oil temperatures in the release state.

When the oil cooling area 148 as described above, through transverse walls 150 into a front oil cooling area 148a and a rear oil cooling portion 148b is divided for each of these oil cooling areas 148a . 148b in each case at least one valve device 202 needed.

Preferably, for each oil cooling area 148a . 148b or optionally for the single oil cooling area 148 two valve devices each 202 provided, which preferably on different sides of the oil pan longitudinally parallel 108 and (in the assembled state of the oil sump 100 ) parallel to the direction of gravity 132 extending vertical longitudinal median plane of the oil pan 100 are arranged.

Such a valve device 202 is preferably in the in the 1 to 7 shown first embodiment of the oil pan 100 used, but can basically also in the in the 8th to 14 illustrated second embodiment of the oil pan 100 be used.

One in the 24 to 32 illustrated second embodiment of a valve device 202 differs from the in 15 to 23 illustrated first embodiment in particular in that the bimetallic element 212 in the second embodiment is not used as a valve body, but as a drive element 232 for driving a movement of the valve body 210 from the closed state to the release state.

Also, this embodiment of a valve device 202 includes a pedestal 204 which has a bearing surface 228 to the partition 144 can be applied and fixed to the same.

In this case, in this embodiment, the valve device 202 preferably provided that the valve device 202 at the oil cooling area 148 facing outside of the partition 144 is arranged.

The valve device 202 further comprises a valve seat 206 with one - in the assembled state of the oil sump 100 - opposite to the direction of gravity 132 inclined sealing surface 234 , The angle of inclination β of the sealing surface 234 opposite to the direction of gravity 132 is preferably more than 10 ° and / or less than 20 ° (see 30 ).

An oil passage 208 extends through the pedestal 204 and the valve seat 206.

The oil passageway 208 in the closed state of the valve device 202 closing valve body 210 is formed in this embodiment as a valve flap 236, which by means of two pivot shafts 238 in each case a pivot shaft receptacle 240 of the valve seat 206 one - in the assembled state of the oil sump 100 preferably substantially horizontally oriented - pivot axis 242 is held pivotally.

The pivot shaft mountings 240 of the valve seat 206 are by means of a (for example in 27 separately shown) valve housing cover 244 lockable to the pivot shafts 238 the valve flap 236 to restrain in the pivot shaft receptacles 240.

The valve housing cover 244 is by material connection, positive connection and / or adhesion to the valve seat 206 fixable after the pivot shafts 238 in the respectively associated pivot shaft receptacle 240 have been introduced.

For example, it can be provided that the valve housing cover 244 with the valve seat 206 is latched.

The valve body 210 indicates at its the valve seat 206 facing inside 214 an annularly closed sealing bead 246 on, which in the closed state of the valve device 202 the outlet opening of the oil passageway 208 surrounds and substantially fluid-tight on the sealing surface 234 is applied.

The sealing bead 246 is preferably formed of an elastomeric material, for example of AEM ("ethylene acrylate rubber").

The sealing bead 246 can in particular to a base body 248 the valve body 210, which is formed for example of a polyamide material, be molded or molded.

For such an Angieß- or Anspritzvorgang the base body 248 in particular an inlet opening 250 and one or more outlet openings 252 have for the einzugießende or injected elastomeric material (see in particular 28 ), with the outlet openings 252 preferably via cavities in the base body 248 with the entrance opening 250 keep in touch.

Furthermore, the valve body comprises 210 in this embodiment, a spacer element 254, for example in the form of a spacer pin 256 which is from the inside 214 of the valve body 210 extends in the direction of the bimetallic element 212, which on the base 204 the valve device 202 is fixed and the inlet opening of the oil passageway 208 crosses (see 31 ).

The bimetal element 212 is preferably by one or more holding elements 224, for example in the form of holding openings 226 , with one or more respectively associated holding elements 220 of the pedestal 204 , For example in the form of retaining pin 222 , connected, for example, by material bond, positive connection and / or adhesion.

The bimetal element 212 has a first layer 213a of the first material with the larger thermal expansion coefficient, which faces away from the valve body 210, and a second layer 213b from the second material with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion, which is the valve body 210 is facing.

The bimetallic element is designed such that it is in the particular in 30 illustrated release state of the valve device 202 , in the low quiescent temperature of the oil, is formed as a substantially flat band.

The valve body 210 lies with the spacer element 154 on the bimetallic element 212 and is by the bimetallic element 212 from the closed state in the in 30 shown release state in which the valve body 210, the outlet opening of the oil passageway 208 releases, leaving oil from the oil cooling area 148 in the oil storage area 146 can get.

When the valve device 202 is in this release state, thus the cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 at the same height as the storage level 162 of the oil in the oil storage area 146 ,

When the oil temperature rises after the engine is put into operation, the bimetallic element becomes 212 in one (from the valve body 210 from) converted concave shape, so that the bimetallic element from the outlet opening of the oil passageway 208 away.

Due to the effect of gravity on the pivotable about the horizontal pivot axis 242 valve body 210 follows the valve body 210 this movement of the bimetallic element 212 , wherein the spacer element 254 in contact with the bimetallic element 212 remains until the sealing bead 256 the valve body 210 is substantially fluid-tight at the sealing surface 234 the valve seat 206 is applied.

This is the valve device 202 in the closed state, in which the oil passage in the partition wall 144 is locked, so that the cooling level 160 of the oil in the oil cooling area 148 from the storage level 162 of the oil in the oil storage area 146 is decoupled and affected by the influx of oil from the internal combustion engine to the overflow 158 increased, giving a flame retardant over the entire height of the lateral outer wall 138 is given away.

If the engine is taken out of service for a long time, the oil cools down again, causing the bimetallic element 212 returns to its level shape and the valve body 210 over the spacer element 254 back in the 30 transferred release state shown, in which in turn an oil exchange between the oil cooling area 148 and the oil storage area 146 through the oil passageway 208 the valve device 202 is possible.

Incidentally, the right in the 24 to 32 illustrated second embodiment of the valve device 202 in terms of structure, function and method of production with in the 15 to 23 illustrated in the first embodiment, reference is made to the above description in this regard.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1871995 B1 [0011]

Claims (16)

An oil pan comprising a bottom wall (142) and a lateral outer wall (138) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (142) in the gravity direction (132) in the assembled state of the oil pan (100) and an oil storage area (146) is arranged in an interior space (140) of the oil pan (100) and is filled with oil up to a storage level (162) during operation of the oil pan (100), characterized in that the oil pan (100) extends to the lateral outer wall (138). contiguous oil cooling region (148) filled with oil to a cooling level (160); and a decoupling device (164) for decoupling the cooling level (160) of the oil in the oil cooling region (148) from the storage level (162) of the oil in the oil Oil storage area (146) in a cooling state of the oil pan (100). Oil pan after Claim 1 , characterized in that the cooling level (160) in the cooling state of the oil pan (100) always above 50% of the height of the oil cooling region (148) adjacent lateral outer wall (138). Oil pan after one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the cooling level (160) in the cooling state of the oil pan (100) at the height of a mounting flange (124) of the oil pan (100) by means of which the oil pan (100) is connectable to a motor, or by at most the height ( H) of the mounting flange (124) under a lower edge of the mounting flange (124). Oil pan after one of the Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the decoupling device (164) comprises a partition wall (144) disposed between the oil cooling section (148) and the oil storage section (146). Oil pan after Claim 4 , characterized in that the partition wall (144) is permanently impermeable to oil. Oil pan after Claim 4 characterized in that the oil pan (100) comprises at least one valve device (202) for temporarily releasing an oil passage in the partition wall (144) in a release state of the valve device (202). Oil pan after Claim 6 , characterized in that the valve device (202) is convertible into the release state as a function of a temperature of the oil in the oil sump. Oil pan after Claim 7 , characterized in that the valve device (202) comprises a bimetallic element (212). Oil pan after one of the Claims 6 to 8th characterized in that the valve device (202) is at least temporarily in a closed state during operation of an engine connected to the oil pan (100), in which the valve device (202) closes the oil passage in the bulkhead (144). Oil pan after one of the Claims 4 to 9 , characterized in that at an upper edge (154) of the partition wall (144) an overflow (158) is provided, through which oil from the oil cooling region (148) in the oil storage area (146) can pass. Oil pan after one of the Claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the oil cooling section (148) includes an oil inlet (168) through which oil entering the sump (100) from the engine passes into the oil cooling section (148). Oil pan after Claim 11 characterized in that there is provided in the oil cooling section (148) a flow guide (166) controlling the flow path of the oil from the oil inlet (168) to an oil outlet (170) of the oil cooling section (148) through which oil from the oil cooling section (148 ) can get into the oil storage area (146), extended. Oil pan after Claim 12 characterized in that the flow directing means (166) comprises at least one flow directing member (172) extending downwardly from the oil inlet (168) in the direction of gravity (132) to within 50% of the height of the oil cooling zone (148 ) adjacent lateral outer wall (138). Oil pan after one of the Claims 11 to 13 characterized in that the oil pan (100) includes an oil return guide (184) which directs oil entering the oil pan (100) to the oil inlet (168) of the oil cooling region (148). Oil pan after one of the Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that at least 50% of the inner surface of the lateral outer wall (138) of the oil pan (100) adjacent to the oil cooling region (148) of the oil pan (100). A method for preventing a heat sink failure of an oil pan (100), comprising: - filling an oil cooling area adjacent a lateral outer wall (138) of the oil pan (100) (148) the oil pan (100) with oil up to a cooling level (160); and decoupling the cooling level (160) from a storage level (162) to which an oil storage area (146) of the oil pan (100) is filled with oil in a cooling state of the oil pan (100).

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