JP2002339874A - Oil pump and lubricating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To separate entrained air and simplify a lubricating system in a dry sump type engine. SOLUTION: In the oil pump 10 provided with a suction opening 11b for sucking in lubricating oil and a discharge opening 11c for compressing and discharging sucked lubricating oil, an air exhaust port 11d is provided for exhausting air entrained in lubricating oil sucked from the suction opening 11b before discharging the lubricating oil from the discharge opening 11c. By this, the lubricating oil can be force-fed to various lubricating areas while eliminating the entrained air just by the oil pump 10 without using an external oil tank or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an oil pump and a lubricating device for sucking and pumping a lubricating oil (oil) for an internal combustion engine (engine) or the like, and more particularly to a dry sump type having no oil pan below the engine. The present invention relates to an oil pump and a lubrication device applied to an engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In off-road motorcycles and the like, the road clearance can be increased, and in racing vehicles and the like, the friction can be reduced, and the engine height can be kept low by reducing the engine height. The dry sump type engine which does not have is adopted. In the lubrication system of this engine, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the lubricating oil accumulated in the lower part (dish) 1a of the crankcase of the engine 1 is sucked by the oil pump 3 for conveyance through the oil strainer 2 and the outside. The air is temporarily stored in an external oil tank 5 via an attached pipe 4, and the mixed air is separated. Then, the lubricating oil stored in the oil tank 5 is sucked by the lubricating oil pump 7 via the external pipe 6 and is sent to the main gallery via the check valve 8 and the oil filter 9. Is supplied from a crank journal or a cylinder head to a camshaft journal, a rocker arm, or the like, and finally falls by its own weight and accumulates in the lower portion 1a of the crankcase.

[0003]

In the dry sump type lubrication system, in addition to the lubrication oil pump 7, the transport oil pump 3 and the external oil tank 5 are provided.
And pipes 4 and 6 are required. In addition, when not used for a long time, it is necessary to add a check valve 8 and the like in order to prevent the lubricating oil from dropping from the oil tank 5. Therefore, a space for arranging these components is required, and the cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to suppress or prevent air from being mixed into lubricating oil to be pumped as much as possible, and to provide an oil tank and piping. It is an object of the present invention to provide an oil pump and a lubricating device capable of simplifying the structure, reducing the cost and the like by eliminating the above-mentioned parts.

[0005]

An oil pump according to the present invention is an oil pump having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, and a discharge port for compressing and discharging the lubricating oil.
Before the lubricating oil is discharged from the discharge port, an air discharge port for discharging air mixed with the lubricating oil sucked from the suction port is provided. According to this configuration, in the case of a dry sump type engine, when the lubricating oil accumulated in the lower part of the crankcase is sucked up from the intake port through the oil strainer, it is subsequently compressed and then discharged from the air exhaust port before being discharged. A part of the mixed air and lubricating oil is discharged, and the remaining lubricating oil is discharged from the discharge port and is pressure-fed to various lubrication areas. As described above, the mixed air can be removed only by the oil pump for pressure feeding without using an external oil tank or the like.

In the above configuration, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the air discharge port is provided above the discharge port in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, the mixed air can be efficiently removed.

In the above construction, the oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor for sucking and pumping lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port is provided on one side of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. The discharge port may be formed on the other side of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. According to this configuration, the air outlet is provided on one side of the upper side of both rotors, and the lower end of the air outlet and the upper end of the outlet are flush with the other side of the both rotors. An outlet can be provided. As a result, the combined opening area of the air discharge port and the discharge port can be set to be as large as possible or appropriately set as required.

In the above construction, the oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor for sucking and pumping lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer rotor. A configuration in which the discharge port is formed on one side surface of the inner rotor and the outer rotor can be employed. According to this configuration, since the air discharge direction and the lubricating oil discharge direction are different, the air is efficiently separated,
Also, the area of the discharge port can be appropriately set according to requirements.

In the above structure, the oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor for sucking and pumping lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port and the discharge port are one of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. A configuration formed on the side surface side can be adopted. According to this configuration, since the air discharge port and the discharge port are provided on one side surface of both rotors, the structure can be made thinner and more easily assembled.

The lubricating device of the present invention includes a lubricating device including an oil strainer having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, and an oil pump disposed downstream of the oil strainer for sucking, compressing, and discharging the lubricating oil. A lubricating device for pumping oil, characterized in that an air outlet for discharging air sucked from the oil strainer is provided in a passage between the oil strainer and the oil pump. According to this configuration, the air mixed with the lubricating oil sucked from the oil strainer is discharged from the air discharge port before being drawn into the suction port of the oil pump. Then, the remaining lubricating oil is sucked through the suction port and compressed, discharged from the discharge port, and fed to various lubrication areas.

Further, the lubricating device of the present invention has an oil strainer having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, a suction port arranged downstream of the oil strainer for sucking lubricating oil, and a compressor for compressing lubricating oil. A lubricating device for pumping lubricating oil comprising an oil pump having a discharge port for discharging, and a passage between the oil strainer and the oil pump for discharging air sucked from the oil strainer. A first air discharge port is provided, and the oil pump is provided with a second air discharge port for discharging air mixed with the lubricating oil sucked from the suction port before discharging the lubricating oil from the discharge port. It is characterized by: According to this configuration, when lubricating oil mixed with air is sucked from the oil strainer, before being sucked into the suction port of the oil pump,
First, at least a part of the mixed air is separated and discharged from a first air discharge port provided in the passage. Then, when the lubricating oil is sucked through the suction port, it is subsequently compressed, and before being discharged, part of the mixed air and lubricating oil is discharged from the second air discharge port, and the remaining lubricating oil is discharged. It is discharged from the outlet and pumped toward various lubrication areas. As described above, since the mixed air is removed between the upstream side of the oil pump and the oil pump, the lubricating oil containing a very small amount of air can be pumped to various lubrication regions.

In both of the above configurations, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the first air discharge port is formed above an air chamber having a predetermined volume provided in the passage. According to this configuration, the mixed air can be more reliably separated and discharged.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lubrication system incorporating an oil pump according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (a), (b) and 3 are cross-sectional views for explaining a schematic configuration and operation of the oil pump. It is. This lubrication system does not have an external oil tank and piping as in the prior art, and only the oil pump 10 of the present invention is connected between the oil strainer 2 and the oil filter 9.

The oil pump 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 11 includes an outer rotor 12 rotatably supported in the casing 11, and an inner rotor 13 rotatably supported inside the outer rotor 12. Inner rotor 1
Reference numeral 3 has four protrusions, which are directly connected to the drive shaft 14 and are supported so as to be rotatable around the axis C1. The outer rotor 12 has five recesses with which the projections of the inner rotor 13 mesh, and is slidably fitted to the cylindrical surface 11a of the casing 11 and supported so as to be rotatable around the axis C2.
That is, the oil pump 10 is a trochoid pump having four leaves and five nodes.

The casing 11 includes an inner rotor 13.
And a substantially crescent-shaped suction port 11 for sucking lubricating oil on one side surface 13a, 12a side of the outer rotor 12.
b and a passage 11b ′, and an air discharge port 11d and a passage 11d ′ for positively discharging air mixed in the compressed lubricating oil.
3 and the other side surface 13b, 12b side of the outer rotor 12, a discharge port 11c and a passage 11c having a substantially crescent-shaped upper portion for discharging compressed lubricating oil.
'Is provided.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, the air discharge port 11d is provided above the discharge port 11c in the vertical direction, and the lower end 1 of the air discharge port 11d is provided.
1d ″ and the upper end 11c ″ of the discharge port 11c are at substantially the same height in the vertical direction and are flush with each other. Thereby, the combined opening area of the air discharge port 11d and the discharge port 11c can be made as large as possible, and the opening ratio of both can be appropriately set as needed.

Next, the operation of the oil pump 10 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, a process including suction, compression, and discharge of lubricating oil is indicated by one pump chamber, and a region filled with lubricating oil is indicated by oblique lines. First, as the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12 rotate clockwise, lubricating oil starts to be sucked in from the suction port 11b as shown in FIG. 3A, and further rotates, as shown in FIG. 3B. Inhal the lubricating oil further.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), from the state in which the lubricating oil is sucked to the maximum, the compressor then enters the compression stroke.
As shown in FIG. 3D, first, the pump chamber is connected to the air outlet 1.
The air and the lubricating oil that has started to communicate with 1d are partially discharged from the air discharge port 11d through the passage 11d '.
Further, when the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12 rotate clockwise, the air discharge port 11d is closed, and as shown in FIG.
It is discharged from 1c and pumped toward various lubrication areas.

Here, the maximum volume of the lubricating oil discharged from the discharge port 11c is, as shown in FIG. 3C, the region of the lubricating oil S compressed in the previous stroke. Actually, by the cooperative action of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12,
The four pump chambers continuously perform suction and compression of lubricating oil mixed with air, discharge of air and some lubricating oil, and discharge of lubricating oil.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the oil pump according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the oil pump 20 includes a casing 21, an outer rotor 22 rotatably supported in the casing 21, and an inner rotor similar to the above, which is rotatably supported inside the outer rotor 22. 13 is a trochoid pump. The outer rotor 22 has five recesses with which the projections of the inner rotor 13 mesh, and is slidably fitted on the cylindrical surface 21 a of the casing 21.
Each of the five recessed portions has five air outlets 22d opened on the outer peripheral surface.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b)
As shown in FIG. 5, on the side surfaces 13a and 22a of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 22, a substantially crescent-shaped inlet 21b and a passage 21b 'for sucking lubricating oil are provided.
And a discharge port 21c and a passage 21c ', each of which has a substantially crescent-shaped upper portion for discharging the compressed lubricating oil, are provided, and upward from a part of the cylindrical surface 21a. And a passage 21 that can communicate with an air discharge port 22d to positively discharge air mixed in the compressed lubricating oil.
d 'is provided.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the air discharge port 22d and the passage 21d 'are provided above the discharge port 21c in the vertical direction, and
Since the direction of 1c and the direction of the air outlet 22d are different,
Air separation is performed more efficiently. Also, one side surface 13a, 2a of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 22 is provided.
Inlet 21b, passage 21b ', outlet 21 only on 2a side
c, the passage 21c 'is provided, so that the oil pump 20 itself can be made thinner.

Next, the operation of the oil pump 20 will be described.
A description will be given based on FIG. In FIG. 5, a stroke including suction, compression, and discharge of lubricating oil is indicated by one pump chamber, and a region filled with lubricating oil is indicated by oblique lines. First, as the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 22 rotate clockwise, lubricating oil starts to be sucked in from the suction port 21b as shown in FIG. 5A, and further rotates, as shown in FIG. Further inhale lubricating oil as shown.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), from the state where the lubricating oil is maximally sucked, the compression stroke continues, and
First, as shown in FIG.
2d starts to communicate with the passage 21d ', and a part of the mixed air and lubricating oil is discharged from the air discharge port 22d through the passage 21d'. Further, when the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 22 rotate clockwise, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the remaining lubricating oil is discharged from the discharge port 21c and is pressure-fed toward various lubricating areas, and Outlet 22
d is closed by the cylindrical surface 21a. In practice, the four pump chambers are continuously operated by the cooperation of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 22 to suck and compress the lubricating oil mixed with air, and to discharge the air and some lubricating oil. , The operation of discharging the lubricating oil.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show still another embodiment of the oil pump according to the present invention. The oil pump 30 is a trochoid pump having a casing 31 and an outer rotor 12 and an inner rotor 13 which are rotatably supported in the casing 31 as described above. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the casing 31 has a substantially crescent-shaped suction port 31 b and a passage 31 b ′ for sucking lubricating oil on one side surface 13 a, 12 a side of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12. , A substantially fan-shaped discharge port 31c for discharging the compressed lubricating oil
And a substantially fan-shaped air discharge port 31d and a passage 31 for positively discharging air mixed with the compressed lubricating oil above the discharge port 31c in the vertical direction from the discharge port 31c '.
d '.

Here, as shown in FIG.
1d and the passage 31d 'are formed in the outlet 31 in the vertical direction.
Since it is provided above c and separated by a predetermined distance, the air can be separated more efficiently.
Further, the suction port 31b and the passage 31b are provided only on the side surfaces 13a, 12a of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12.
', An outlet 31c, a passage 31c', an air outlet 31d,
Since the passage 31d 'is provided, the oil pump 30
It can be thinner.

Next, the operation of the oil pump 30 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, a stroke including lubricating oil suction, compression and discharge is indicated by one pump chamber, and a region filled with lubricating oil is indicated by oblique lines. First, the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12 rotate clockwise to suck lubricating oil from the suction port 31b.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the lubricating oil reaches the maximum suction state, the compression process starts, and as shown in FIG.
First, the pump chamber starts communicating with the air outlet 31d. Then, from this state, a part of the mixed air and lubricating oil passes through the state shown in FIG. 9C and closes the air discharge port 31d as shown in FIG. 9D. The air is discharged from the air outlet 31d through the passage 31d '.

Further, when the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12 rotate clockwise, as shown in FIG. 9E, the remaining lubricating oil is further compressed and discharged.
c, the lubricating oil is completely discharged as shown in FIG. 9 (f), and is pumped toward various lubrication areas.
Thereafter, the discharge port 31c is closed. Actually, the four pump chambers are continuously operated by the cooperation of the inner rotor 13 and the outer rotor 12 to suck and compress the lubricating oil mixed with air, and to discharge the air and some lubricating oil. , The operation of discharging the lubricating oil.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the lubricating device according to the present invention. The lubricating apparatus includes an oil strainer 40 disposed at a lower portion 1a of the crankcase and having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, and an oil strainer 40.
An oil pump 50 disposed downstream of the oil filter 9 and upstream of the oil filter 9, and an air outlet 71 disposed in a passage 60 between the oil strainer 40 and the oil pump 50.
Etc. are provided.

The oil pump 50 includes an inner rotor 13 and an outer rotor 12 similar to those described above, and a casing 11.
And a casing 51 provided only with the suction port 51b and the passage 51b 'and only with the discharge port 51c and the passage 51c' without providing the one corresponding to the air discharge port 11d and the passage 11d '. Here, the suction port 51b and the passage 51b '
Are arranged below the oil level of the lubricating oil accumulated in the crankcase lower part 1a. An air chamber 70 bulging upward in the vertical direction is provided in the middle of the passage 60, and an air outlet 71 opening upward from the upper surface of the air chamber 70 is provided.

In this lubricating device, when the lubricating oil is sucked from the oil strainer 40, it passes through the passage 60 and reaches the region of the air chamber 70. Here, the air mixed into the lubricating oil is separated into the space above the air chamber 70 and the air exhaust port 71
From the crankcase. Subsequently, the lubricating oil from which the air has been separated is sucked from the suction port 51b of the oil pump 50, sucked up into the pump chamber, subsequently compressed, discharged from the discharge port 51c, and pumped to various lubrication areas.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the lubricating device according to the present invention. The lubricating device includes an oil strainer 40 disposed at a lower portion 1a of a crankcase and having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, and an oil strainer 4
And an oil pump 10 similar to the above, which is arranged downstream of the oil filter 9 and upstream of the oil filter 9.
An air outlet 71 and the like are provided in a passage 60 between the oil pump 10 and the oil pump 10.

The oil pump 10 includes an inner rotor 13 and an outer rotor 12 similar to those described above, a casing 11 having a suction port 11b and a passage 11b ', a discharge port 11c and a passage 11c', and an air discharge port 11d and a passage 11d '. have. Here, the suction port 11b and the passage 1
1b 'is disposed so as to be located lower than the oil level of the lubricating oil accumulated in the lower portion 1a of the crankcase.

In this lubricating device, when lubricating oil is sucked from the oil strainer 40, it passes through the passage 60 and reaches the region of the air chamber 70. Here, the air mixed into the lubricating oil is separated into the space above the air chamber 70 and the air exhaust port 71
From the crankcase. Subsequently, the lubricating oil from which at least part of the air has been separated is supplied to the oil pump 10
Is sucked into the pump chamber by the suction port 11b, and then compressed, and part of the mixed air and lubricating oil is discharged from the air discharge port 11d through the passage 11d 'into the crankcase. Subsequently, the lubricating oil from which the air has been removed as much as possible is discharged from the discharge port 11c and is pumped toward various lubrication areas.

In this embodiment, the oil pump 10 shown in FIG. 2 is employed, but the other oil pumps 20, 30, etc. shown in the other embodiments described above may be employed. In the above-described embodiment, the trochoid pumps 10, 20, and 30 are shown as the oil pumps. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an internal gear oil pump or an external gear oil pump may be used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration having an air outlet.

[0036]

As described above, according to the oil pump of the present invention, before discharging the lubricating oil from the discharge port, the air discharge for discharging the air mixed with the lubricating oil sucked from the suction port is performed. By providing the outlet, particularly in a dry sump type engine or the like, air mixed in the lubricating oil can be separated and discharged from the air discharge port without using an external oil tank or the like. As a result, lubricating oil containing a very small amount of mixed air can be pumped to various lubricating areas, and an external oil tank and piping, a check valve for preventing oil dropping, and the like can be eliminated. Cost reduction and the like can be performed. Further, according to the lubricating device of the present invention, since the air outlet is provided in the passage between the oil strainer and the conventional oil pump having no air outlet, the amount of mixed air is extremely reduced as described above. Since a small amount of lubricating oil can be pumped to various lubricating areas and an external oil tank and piping, and a check valve for preventing oil dropping can be eliminated, it is possible to simplify the apparatus and reduce costs. it can. In particular, since a conventional oil pump can be applied, the cost can be further reduced.
Furthermore, according to the lubricating device of the present invention, the first air outlet is provided in the passage between the oil strainer and the oil pump, and the oil pump provided with the second air outlet is employed. Separation and discharge of the air mixed in the lubricating oil can be performed more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a lubrication system including an oil pump according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show one embodiment of an oil pump according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side sectional view.

FIG. 3 shows (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e)
FIG. 3 is an operation diagram illustrating the operation of the oil pump shown in FIG. 2.

4A and 4B show another embodiment of the oil pump according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view.

FIG. 5 shows (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e)
FIG. 5 is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the oil pump shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing still another embodiment of the oil pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the oil pump shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the oil pump shown in FIG.

FIGS. 9 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
(F) is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the oil pump shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a lubrication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the lubrication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional lubrication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine 1a Crankcase lower part 2 Oil strainer 9 Oil filter 10, 20, 30, 50 Oil pump 11, 21, 31, 51 Casing 11a, 21a Cylindrical surface 11b, 21b, 31b, 51b Inlet 11c, 21c, 31c, 51c Discharge port 11d, 22d, 31d Air discharge port 12, 22 Outer rotor 13 Inner rotor 12a, 13a, 22a One side 12b, 13b Other side 14 Drive shaft 40 Oil strainer 60 Passage 70 Air chamber 71 Air discharge port

Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An oil pump having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil and a discharge port for compressing and discharging the sucked lubricating oil, wherein the oil pump is provided before discharging the lubricating oil from the discharge port. An oil pump having an air discharge port for discharging air mixed with lubricating oil sucked from a mouth. 2. The oil pump according to claim 1, wherein the air discharge port is provided above the discharge port in a vertical direction. 3. The oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor that suck and pump lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port is provided on one side of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. 3. The oil pump according to claim 2, wherein the discharge port is formed on another side surface of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. 4. 4. The oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor for sucking and pumping lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer rotor. The oil pump according to claim 2, wherein the discharge port is formed on one side surface of the inner rotor and the outer rotor. 5. The oil pump is a trochoid pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor for sucking and pumping lubricating oil by cooperation, and the air discharge port and the discharge port are provided with the inner rotor and the outer rotor. The oil pump according to claim 2, wherein the oil pump is formed on one side surface of the oil pump. 6. An oil strainer having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, and an oil pump disposed downstream of the oil strainer for sucking, compressing and discharging the lubricating oil, and pumping the lubricating oil. The lubricating device according to claim 1, wherein an air outlet for discharging air sucked from the oil strainer is provided in a passage between the oil strainer and the oil pump. 7. An oil strainer having a suction port for sucking lubricating oil, a suction port arranged downstream of the oil strainer for sucking lubricating oil, and a discharge port for compressing and discharging the sucked lubricating oil. A lubricating device for pumping lubricating oil, comprising: a first pump for discharging air sucked from the oil strainer into a passage between the oil strainer and the oil pump; An air outlet is provided, and the oil pump is provided with a second air outlet for discharging air mixed with the lubricating oil sucked from the suction port before discharging the lubricating oil from the discharge port. And a lubricating device. 8. The lubricating device according to claim 6, wherein the first air outlet is formed above an air chamber having a predetermined volume provided in the passage. .