ES2431468A2 - Pipe for motor fluid return and entry to the crankcase - Google Patents

Abstract

A terminal of a pipe of the kind used for the evacuation of a motor fluid used to lubricate and/or cool the auxiliary systems of an internal combustion engine, for example a turbocharger. The purpose of the invention is to obtain an easily manufactured and assembled return pipe terminal with which it is possible to carry out the return of fluids at the outlet of the car's engine block auxiliary devices (turbochargers, displacement compressors, etc.) in a more secure and watertight fashion. The pipe terminal includes improved means for the axial positioning thereof in the engine cylinder block or crankcase, which mainly comprises an abutment, a transition portion, and a coupling portion that connects the two parts.

Description

"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND CRANKCASE INLET"

Object of the Invention:

More specifically, the invention refers to the terminal of a tube, of those used for the evacuation of a motor fluid used to lubricate and / or cool the auxiliary systems of the internal combustion engine (for example a turbocharger), managing the output of the same from the elements

auxiliaries

until the block of cylinders of the engine of

explosion.

Saying

terminal of the tube, preferably metal

even if

is possible make it in others materials, I know

mounted axially coupled in a hole provided in the oil sump or engine block, so that once a part of said tube is mounted it is arranged on the outside of the engine block while another part is on the inside of the block- engine.

State of the art:

There are on the market, and therefore can be considered as a state of the art of the present invention, automotive components, the purpose of which is to establish a return system for a motor fluid such as oil, between a turbocharger and the oil tank or carter of said car.

Usually, this engine fluid return system comprises two or more parts, the purpose of which is to establish a watertight flow duct between the turbocharger outlet and the inlet to the car's sump.

Turbochargers are attached by appropriate means to the automobile engine, and the blades of their turbines and compressor can reach very high rotational speeds, not necessarily synchronous with the alternative movements of the piston / crankshaft system. This mechanical decoupling causes the return system to be subject to movements and vibrations, and therefore the flexibility of said system is very important in the face of possible breaks.

It is known from European Patent No. 1. 512. 901 a quot; Connection of an evacuation channel from a turbocharger to a crankcase by a flexible conduit and a tubular edge ", with the essential feature that said conduit is made of flexible material, and the edge incorporates means for when entering the hole provided in the oil pan, it remains axially stable.

In European Patent No. 662,581 for quot; Drain pipe conduit and a combination comprising an engine block, a turbocharger and a connecting pipequot; The essential characteristic of being formed by a flexible tubular member that is incorporated between a first member and a second member is described, with insertion means at the end of said tubular member provided to avoid spills.

Also in French Patent No. 2,908,154, for "Lubrication device of a turbocharger and procedure for mounting a lubrication tube", a device is described with the essential feature that the coupling end of at least one lubrication tube on the turbocharger body,

featuring an axially locked cylindrical funnel

by an elastic ring.

Purpose of the Invention:

The purpose of the invention is to obtain a terminal of a motor fluid return tube and entry into the

sump

with a system of manufacturing and mounting

simplified

and plus economic respect to the systems or

devices

existing, and than allow to ease the

return

of fluids (by example oil or liquid

refrigerant)

to the departure of the devices auxiliaries

to the

block engine (turbochargers, compressors

volumetric,

between others) of the car, of a shape

safer and watertight.

Another purpose of the invention is to manufacture a tube comprising said tube end, with a simplified manufacturing and assembly system and more economical than existing systems or devices.

Finally, another purpose of the additional invention is the provision of a support piece for supporting and / or retaining the outer tube on the cylinder block capable of being coupled without the possibility of rotation on the outer surface of the tube terminal and adapted to make stop against the front surface of the cylinder block.

Description of the Invention:

The terminal of the motor fluid return tube and inlet in the crankcase of the present invention is characterized as defined in the claim.

The invention describes an improved configuration of the motor-block side terminal of a return pipe.

of motor fluid and inlet in the crankcase, which from now on we will simply call it as "tube", which is preferably metallic, even though it is possible to manufacture it in other materials that may have similar or equivalent properties, including flexible materials.

The tube terminal is coupled to said engine or crankcase cylinder block by its partial insertion and axial coupling in a hole provided in the engine cylinder block by means of axial positioning means arranged on the outer surface of the tube, while the Inner part is shaped or machined to achieve radial stabilization, thereby achieving optimum tightness of the outer surface of the tube with the surface

inside

the orifice of the sump and too with the

collaboration of

a board of tightness.

The

invention foothill mainly in the

particular

and advantageous setting of the media of

axial positioning of the tube terminal in the cylinder block of the engine or crankcase, which are arranged on the outer surface of the tubular member and whose purpose is to ensure coaxiality between the axis of the internal part of the tube and the housing of the crankcase.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the axial positioning means comprise:

a stop geometry of greater diameter than the diameter of the hole of the engine cylinder block, so that it rests and makes contact against the front plane of support of the engine cylinder block;

a generatrix transition portion

decreasing (with a decreasing angle a1 with respect to the axial axis of the tube) in the direction of the stop geometry, said transition extends from the stop geometry to the throat or housing for the joint; and

-

a radius of curvature coupling portion R1 connecting said stop geometry with said transition portion.

The guarantee of coaxiality is achieved through the presence of a flat area substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube and located in the profile of the stop geometry, in such a way that the flat contact against the frontal plane of support of the engine cylinder block guarantees the coaxiality between the axis of the tube and the axis of the housing in the block, the contact area being large enough to maximize the bearing surface on the front face of the crankcase. However, since the wave of the stop geometry is achieved by a deformation process of the tubular member, its height is limited by the material of which the tube is made, the material being taken to the maximum of its capabilities, thus remaining with a high level of residual stresses in said wave. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flat perpendicular area has a height "X2"; between 0.01 and 3 mm.

Said stop geometry does not necessarily have to be of revolution and has a contact portion that can be assimilated to a crown of revolution with a substantially circular diameter.

The achievement of this crown-like contact portion that is maximized with a low residual stress level is achieved by providing the wave transition zone with a very smooth radius, which we will call R1, which is why the presence of a negative angle to 1 that generates a decreasing generatrix zone in the direction towards the wave, preferably frustoconical, between the stop surface (that is to say the wave) and the innermost zone of accommodation of the seal.

Said decreasing angle a1 is preferably comprised between 1 and 30 degrees.

For its part, the radius of curvature R1 of the coupling portion that limits the wave is preferably between 0.1 and 5 mm., And its presence advantageously minimizes the risk of breakage as local residual stresses are reduced in this area and eliminated the effect of stress concentrator.

On the other hand, in one of the embodiments

possible

of the invention the portion of transition of

generatrix

decre cient (with a angle decreasing to 1

respect

to the axis axial of the tube) in sense toward the

contact portion or stop, is substantially frustoconical.

On the other hand, as it is a solution known in the market, the tube terminal also comprises sealing means, such as a sealing gasket to be housed in the corresponding throat or circumferential housing made at a point on the outer surface of the terminal of the tube, so that said joint is seated in said

circumferential housing between the outer surface of the tube terminal and the inner surface of the hole of the cylinder block or crankcase.

As an option of the invention, the tube end comprises at least one guide portion of width "Xlquot; that exercises the guiding functions of the inner zone of the tube in relation to its housing, limiting the compression or excessive distension of the sealing gasket when it is in working condition (that is, compressed). Due to the mounting dispersions of the rest of the tube, this joint may tend to be more compressed, or compressed non-uniformly, and it will be this guiding portion that will prevent compressions or strains that can compromise either the tightness or its durability.

Said guiding portion is preferably substantially straight and is adapted to make direct contact with the inner surface of the hole, which is arranged extending from the throat or seal housing towards the end of the tube, and said guiding portion is prolonged in direction towards the end of the tube forming a final portion of smaller diameter, connecting the guiding portion with the final portion

(for a decreasing generatrix centering portion of angle cx2 • Said angle cx2 is preferably included

between

10 and Four. Five degrees.

The

purpose of this portion of centering

noticeably truncated

unique final is triple:

to).

By a side facilitates the process of insertion

of the tube in its housing acting as a centering point for the insert.

b). Secondly, it facilitates the pre-assembly of the joint in its housing groove, without the need to use any special tool for its assembly, allowing a completely manual assembly. To this end, the diameter of the X3 zone has been provided less than the nominal internal diameter of the sealing gasket, in order to avoid the risks of contact between the gasket and the cutting edge of the X3 termination, thus the diameter it is smaller, and the angle a2 ensures that the assembly process of the joint on the tube can be carried out manually without risk of contact deterioration.

e). Thirdly, angle a 2 acts as an anti-error system, so that in the event of a not completely correct joint position in the 360 ° of its housing groove, the same process of inserting the tube into the housing housing would position

the

meeting completely in its throat (position

correct),

avoiding the failure of tightness of the

system.

Too

optionally the terminal of the tube can

further comprising a second substantially straight guiding portion, which is arranged extending from the transition portion in a direction towards the throat or joint housing, the second guiding portion being arranged between the transition portion and the throat or joint housing .

Also optionally, the tube terminal can incorporate an external retention support, which allows the fixing of said tube to an external fixed point, located in the cylinder block, relatively close to the tube connection point.

Said outer retention support is formed

by a simple plate provided with a projected hole to be able to surround the outer part of the tube member, it is immobilized by one or more waves provided as projections in the so-called outer part of the tube and of greater diameter than the same. Alternatively this support-tube fixation can be carried out by expanding the tube against said internal diameter of the support hole, or by using known joining means, such as welds or adhesives.

According to a first solution, as a prolongation of the contact portion or stop towards the end of the tube, the tube has a groove adapted to receive the support part that serves to fix the tube to an external point located in the engine compartment. .

According to a possible solution of the invention, said contact hole has a non-circular perimeter, so that the support tube contact interface is non-circular and rotation of the support part with respect to the tube terminal is avoided. It preferably comprises two opposite tangent lateral planes, so that when surrounding the surface of the tube terminal (substantially cylindrical or elliptical)

avoid

the rotation of the piece support respect to the

terminal of

tube.

By

other part according a solution possible of the

invention,

the surface of the throat of the tube and the

of the

orifice  of the support present geometries of

coupling

lateral concordant than allow a

Contact

maximum between the surface of the tube and the of the

support piece. In order to maximize the contact between the surface of the tube and that of the support piece, the radii of curvature R2 and R3 present equal values.

or very similar, as seen in detail "2".

The end or terminal part of said tube is obtained starting from the tube and deforming it by cold deformation of said tube, using in a non-limiting manner the technique of manufacturing "hydroforming".

or that of axial or rotary forming (called in the technical jargon for rulinado).

According to another object of the invention, it is desired to protect the assembly formed by the tube that has a tube end with the previously described characteristics, as well as the support part with the previously described characteristics.

Other details and characteristics will be revealed in the course of the description given below, in which reference is made to the

drawings

than to this memory I know accompany, in the than I know

It represents

to Title illustrative but not limitation vo a

graphic representation of

the invention.

Description of the figures:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section in elevation of a first embodiment of the tube terminal

(10) object of the invention in which it is not provided

no support (11), comprising the end of the tube (10), the end of which is inserted into the cylinder block

or motor block (12) by its corresponding longitudinal hole (18), and with a single guide portion

(twenty)

width X1 between the tube end (10) and the inner surface (31) of said hole (18).

The detail corresponds to a detailed view of figure 1, in which the configuration of the stop geometry (16) is clearly perceived.

Figure 2 is a second embodiment of the invention also without the provision of any support (11), but in this case additionally incorporating a second contact portion (28) of width X1 'between the

terminal

of the tube (10) and the surface inside (31) of the

said hole

(18).

The

figure no. 3 is a section longitudinal in

elevation of a third embodiment of the invention, in which a retention support (11) is incorporated as a separate part and attachable to said terminal (10), and there is a single guide portion (2 O) between the tube (10 ) and the inner surface (31) of the hole

(18) on the cylinder block (12).

The detail corresponds to a detailed view of figure 3, in which the configuration of the coincident rounded edges of the hole (29) of the support (11) and of the throat (23) of the tube terminal (10) is clearly seen. ), with respective similar radii R2 and R3.

Figure 4 is a view of the retention support (11) sectioned by SS 'in Figure 3, clearly detailing the configuration of the hole (29) of the support (11), provided with lateral edges. planes (30a, 30b).

The following is a list of the different parts of the invention, which are identified by the

corresponding number in the previous figures; (10) tube end, (11) retaining bracket, (12) engine cylinder block, (14) throat or gasket housing, (15) cylindrical area, (16) butt geometry against front plane ( 25), (16 ') stop geometry against the retention support (11),

(17) transition zone, (18) cylinder block hole (12), (19) gasket, (20) guide portion width "X1", (21) centering portion, (22) end portion, (23) throat, (25) front plane of support of the engine cylinder block (12), (26) coupling portion, (27) flat area perpendicular to the tube axis in the stop geometry (16), (28 ) second guide portion width "X1"; (2 9) retaining bracket contact hole (11), (30a, 30b) opposite tangent side planes of the retaining bracket

(11), (31) inner surface of said hole (18).

Description of one of the embodiments of the Invention:

In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and as can be seen in Figure 1, the tube terminal (10) has different zones or parts, the configuration of which is described below, but which have been designed so that be consistent with the purpose pursued for each of them.

The tube end (10) is obtained by cold deformation machining by means of "hydroforming"; or rulinado of the own tube, being therefore all this a single piece.

According to figure 1, which corresponds to the first of the possible embodiments of the invention, the end of the tube (10) has a part "Aquot; than

we will name

quot; part exteriorquot ;, than is the than I know

find

outside of the orifice (18) of the block of

cylinders

(12) to the ride the tube in the block of

cylinders (12), and a part "Bquot", which we will call "interior part", which is the one that is inserted in the longitudinal hole (18) of said block (12). Said outer part quot; Aquot; and the inner part "Bquot", as can be seen in detail "1quot; of figure 1, it has axial positioning means formed by:

-

a stop geometry (16) abutting against the frontal plane (25) as a wave, and a diameter greater than the nominal diameter of the tube (10);

a substantially frusto-conical transition zone or portion (17) that extends towards the interior zone in a groove (14) of smaller diameter, as a means to house a seal (19), which ensures the seal between the part quot; Bquot; and the hole

(18) inlet of the tube (10) in said block (12); and

-

between said stop geometry (16) and the transition portion (17) a coupling portion (26) curved with a radius of curvature R1 •

Said substantially frusto-conical transition portion (17) can be a zone with a totally frusto-conical configuration (that is, a body of revolution, as shown in the attached figures) or it can be with a substantially frusto-conical configuration without having a total symmetry (that is to say, a body of no revolution).

After said groove (14) the tube (10) is extended by at least one guide portion (20) that is substantially straight (that is to say cylindrical) and of width "X1quot; which is adapted to make direct contact with the inner surface of the hole (18) in the event of offset, said guide portion (20) extending towards the end of the tube in a centering portion (21) of decreasing frusto-conical configuration with a generatrix of decreasing angle a2, which in turn extends towards a cylindrical end portion (22) of smaller diameter than the hole (18) and width "X3".

According to the second embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, a second cylindrical guide portion (28) of width "X1" can also be included; between the transition portion (17) and the throat

(14).

Finally, according to a third embodiment of the invention, there is a retention support (11) on which said wave (16 ') abuts, leaving

ready

saying support of retention (eleven) by its part

supported interior

against the plane frontal (25).

Such

and how I know shows in the figure not 4, saying

support

of retention (eleven) presents a orifice (29),

for incorporation into a groove (23) present at the end of the tube (10) between the wave (16) and the transition portion (17 ').

To improve retention against rotation between the support (11) and the tube (10), the hole (29) and the contact area between the tube and the support (23), the hole (29) preferably has a non-cylindrical geometry , presenting in a non-exclusive way oval or trapezoidal geometries. Especially advantageous is the configuration shown in figure 4, in which the hole (23) comprises two opposite lateral planes (30a, 30b) tangent to the nominal diameter of the tube. In this case for oval or

ellipticals of the tube (produced expressly or as a consequence of a deformation process contiguous to a curve), the interference between the distance delimited by the two tangent planes and the major axis is maximized

5 of quasi-elliptic geometry.

Also to reduce the quot; gapquot; Present between the wave retention elements (16 ') and the support (11), the hole (29) of the support (11) can present both surfaces at the rounded edges coinciding with

10 the radius of the throat (23) -that is to say the radii R2 and R3 respectively, said radii R2 and R3 being substantially of equal dimensions-, thereby guaranteeing the axial location and embedment of the support on the tube, see detail quot ; 2quot; of figure n °

15 3.

Once the present invention has been sufficiently described in correspondence with the attached figures, it is easy to understand that any detailed modifications that may be considered may be introduced therein.

Convenient, as long as it does not alter the essence of the invention that is summarized in the following claims.

Claims (1)

1 to -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND ENTRY INTO THE eARTERquot; of those that serve to connect the output of a lubricating or refrigerant circuit of an auxiliary device to the cylinder block of an engine with the cylinder block or crankcase, the return tube comprising at one of its ends a terminal (10) that is coupled to said cylinder block of the engine or crankcase (12) by means of its partial insertion and coupling in a hole (18) provided in the cylinder block of the engine (12), characterized in that the tube terminal (10) comprises positioning means axial thereof in the cylinder block of the engine or crankcase (12) comprising:

-

a stop geometry (16) of greater diameter than the diameter of the hole (18) of the engine cylinder block (12), so that it supports and abuts against the front support plane (25) of the engine cylinder block (12);

a transition portion (17) of decreasing generatrix (with an angle decreasing to 1 with respect to the axial axis of the tube) in the direction of the stop geometry (16), said transition (17) extends from the stop geometry (16) to the throat or housing for the joint (14); and a coupling portion (26) of radius of curvature R1 that connects said stop geometry (16) with said transition portion (17). 2 nd -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND ENTRY INTO eARTERquot; according to claim, characterized in that the stop geometry (16) is a crown of no revolution. 3 rd -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTERquot; according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop geometry (16) is a crown of revolution with a substantially circular diameter. 4-to-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to the 1st, 2nd or 3rd claims, characterized in that the stop geometry (16) has a flat area substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube (27) that makes flat contact against the front bearing plane (25) of the cylinder block the motor (12). 5 a -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTERquot; according to the 4th claim, characterized in that the flat vertical zone (27) has a height X2 comprised between 0, 0 1 and 3 mm. 6th - "MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to claim, characterized in that the transition portion (17) is substantially frusto-conical. 7th-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN THE CARTERquot; according to the 1st to 6th claim, characterized in that the decreasing angle to 1 is comprising between 1 and 30 degrees. aa -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTERquot; according to claim 1, characterized in that the radius of curvature R1 of the coupling portion (26) is between 0.1 and 5 mm. 9th-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a substantially straight guide portion (20) adapted to make, in the event of runout, direct contact with the inner surface of the hole (18), which is arranged extending from the throat or seal housing (14) towards the end of the tube, and said guide portion (20) extends towards the end of the tube forming an end portion (22 ) of smaller diameter, connecting the guide portion (20) with the final portion (22) by a portion of centering (21) of decreasing generatrix of angle a2 • lO-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND ENTRY INTO CARTER" according to claim g, characterized in that the angle a 2 is between 10 and 45 degrees. lla -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTERquot; according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a second guide portion (2 8) substantially straight, which is arranged extending from the transition portion

(17)

in sense toward the throat or accommodation of the

meeting

(14), staying willing the second portion of

guided

(2 8) between the portion of transition (17) and the

throat

or accommodation of the meeting (14).

12 a-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to the 1st or 6th claims, characterized in that as a prolongation of the stop geometry (16) towards the end of the tube a groove (24) is provided adapted to receive a support part (11) that serves to fix the tube ( 10) to an external point located in the engine compartment, said support part (11) being provided with a contact hole (29) within which said throat (24) is arranged. 13a-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to claim 12, characterized in that the surface of the throat (24) of the tube (10) and that of the hole (29) of the support (11) have respective concordant lateral coupling geometries whose configuration is such that it maximizes the contact between the surface of the tube and that of the support part (11). 14a-"MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE AND INLET IN CARTER" according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube end (10)

I know

mechanizes through deformation in cold by means, medium of

(to)

the technique of quot; hydroformingquot; or (b) the technique of

conformed

axial or rotary (ruffled).

1sa - "SUPPORT PART", adapted to be coupled to the tube terminal (10) defined in any of the previous claims, characterized in that it has a non-circular contact hole (2 9), of so the tube-support contact interface is non-circular. 16a-"SUPPORT PART", according to claim 15, characterized in that it has a contact hole (29) whose non-circular perimeter comprises two opposite tangent lateral planes (30a, 30b), so that they avoid the rotation of the support part (11) with respect to the tube end (10). 17 to -quot; ENGINE FLUID RETURN PIPE KIT AND CASING ENTRY WITH SUPPORT PART ", characterized in that it comprises a tube with a tube terminal (10) defined in any of the Claims 1-14a, and a support part (11). 18a - "MOTOR FLUID RETURN PIPE KIT AND ENTRY IN THE CARTER WITH THE PART SUPPORT " characterized in that it comprises a tube with a terminal 20 of the tube (10) defined in any one of claims 1-14 a, and a support part (11) defined in any one of claims 15a-16a.