JP2007315196A - Water jacket spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water jacket spacer which has merits, such as a simple configuration, excellent assemblability into a water jacket, sureness for excellent temperature regulating performance. <P>SOLUTION: The water jacket spacer 3 is inserted into the water jacket formed around a cylinder as a communicating passage of cooling water, and comprises a plurality of spacer pieces 1 to be integrally connected along the peripheral direction of the water jacket, and connecting portions 2 which are formed along the connected sides with the spacer pieces to be connected, and connect the spacer pieces so as to slide in the axial direction of the cylinders. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water jacket spacer that is inserted into a water jacket of an engine cylinder block.

  Conventionally, a cooling water passage called a water jacket is formed in a cylinder block of a water-cooled engine. The water jacket is dug so as to surround the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical cylinder, for example, between the cylinder liner and the outer wall of the cylinder block, and substantially the entire outer periphery of the cylinder is cooled by the cooling water flowing inside the water jacket. It has become.

In general, the cylinder block is classified into a closed deck, a semi-closed deck (also called a semi-open deck), and an open deck according to the form of the upper end of the water jacket.
The closed deck means that the upper part of the water jacket is mostly closed, and has a feature that relatively high rigidity is easily obtained as a whole of the cylinder block because the number of openings on the upper surface of the cylinder block is reduced. On the other hand, the open deck is the one that the upper part of the water jacket is open to the cylinder head side (the one that is not closed), and is a member that closes the upper part of the water jacket, although it is inferior to the closed deck in terms of rigidity. There is a feature that the upper part of the cylinder liner can be efficiently cooled as much as there is.

  The semi-closed deck combines the advantages of these closed decks and open decks, and a bridge is formed between the cylinder liner and the cylinder block outer wall in the width direction of the water jacket. The upper part is partially blocked. The semi-closed deck cylinder block can provide sufficient rigidity because the bridge on the upper part of the water jacket plays a role of reinforcement, and the cooling water reaches the upper part of the water jacket in parts other than the bridge, improving the cooling performance of the upper part of the cylinder liner. It can be made to.

  Incidentally, in order to adjust the temperature distribution of the cooling water in the water jacket, a water jacket spacer is generally used. The water jacket spacer is a member that is attached to the inside of the water jacket. In addition to adjusting the flow direction and flow rate of the cooling water, the water jacket spacer itself functions to transfer or shield the heat, so that the cooling water temperature and It plays a role in regulating distribution and distribution.

As publicly known documents of this type of water jacket spacer, for example, the following patent documents 1 and 2 can be cited.
Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an open deck cylinder block is provided with a closed-curved water jacket spacer (in particular, see FIG. 2 in Patent Document 1) connected in an annular shape inside the water jacket. When such a closed-curved water jacket spacer is mounted in the water jacket, the flow of cooling water between the inner peripheral side (cylinder side) and the outer peripheral side can be substantially separated from the water jacket spacer and rectified. .

Patent Document 2 discloses a cylinder block of an open deck in which a water jacket spacer inserted into a water jacket is divided into a plurality of divided bodies. Further, the document 2 discloses a configuration in which each divided body is connected using an elastic body as a moving means, and each divided body is urged toward the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the water jacket by this moving means. . According to the same document 2, the spacer can be divided into a water jacket to be easily assembled, and the water jacket spacer can be kept in close contact with the wall surface on the cylinder liner side by using a shifting means. It is supposed to be possible.
JP 2002-266695 A JP 2005-120949 A

  However, the annular water jacket spacer as described in Patent Document 1 described above cannot be applied to a cylinder block of a semi-closed deck. Because the cylinder block of the semi-closed deck has a bridge formed on the upper part of the water jacket, and even if you try to insert the water jacket spacer that is connected in an annular shape from the upper side of the water jacket, it will hit the bridge. It cannot be installed inside. In addition, since it is necessary to integrally form the water jacket spacer following the overall shape of the water jacket, for example, in a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders (for a multi-cylinder engine), the size of the water jacket spacer alone becomes large. There is also a problem that a large space is required for transportation and storage, or the manufacturing cost increases.

  On the other hand, even if the water jacket spacer is formed as a plurality of divided bodies as described in Patent Document 2 described above, each divided body is relatively narrow when applied to a cylinder block of a semi-closed deck. It is necessary to connect the inside of the water jacket, and the installation work is difficult. In addition, when using the shifting means, each divided body is connected by the shifting means to be in a substantially integrated state, so that it is applied to the cylinder block of the semi-closed deck as in the above-described problem of Patent Document 1. There is a problem that it cannot be done.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such problems, and has advantages such as a simple structure, easy assembly and easy mounting in a water jacket, and ensuring good temperature control performance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water jacket spacer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a water jacket spacer according to the present invention (Claim 1) is a water jacket spacer that is inserted into a water jacket formed as a flow path of cooling water on the outer periphery of a cylinder. A plurality of spacer pieces that are integrally connected along the circumferential direction of each of the plurality of spacer pieces, and in each of the plurality of spacer pieces, the spacer pieces that are formed along the side of contact with the connected spacer pieces are arranged in the axial direction of the cylinder. And a connecting portion that is slidably connected.

The water jacket spacer according to the present invention (Claim 2) is characterized in that the connecting portion is formed in a convex shape protruding from the contact side or a concave shape engaging with the convex shape.
The water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 3) has a convex portion protruding from the outer surface of the connecting portion or a concave portion that engages with the convex portion, and engagement of these concave and convex portions (the convex portion and the concave portion). Thus, the spacer piece is configured to prevent the spacer piece from sliding in the cylinder axial direction.

The water jacket spacer according to the present invention (Claim 4) is characterized in that the connecting portion is formed in a hook shape in a vertical cross-sectional shape with respect to the axial direction of the cylinder.
In the water jacket spacer according to the present invention (Claim 5), the water jacket is formed to communicate along the outer periphery of the plurality of cylinders, and the plurality of spacer pieces are along the outer peripheral wall of each of the cylinders. And a plurality of second spacer pieces formed in a V shape so as to extend along adjacent portions of the plurality of cylinders.

In this case, each of the plurality of first spacer pieces is preferably formed in the same shape, and each of the plurality of second spacer pieces is preferably formed in the same shape. ).
The water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 7) is formed in a cylinder block having a semi-closed deck structure in which the water jacket has a plurality of bridges that block portions above the water jacket, and the plurality of spacer pieces. Each of which has a width in the connecting direction shorter than a distance between the plurality of bridges and shorter than a distance between the inter-cylinder portion in the water jacket and the bridge. Yes.

According to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 1), the integrally formed water jacket spacer is divided into a plurality of spacer pieces, so that the cost is lower than that of an annularly closed closed curve shape. It can be manufactured easily and productivity can be increased.
In addition, since each spacer piece is structured to be connected by a slidable connecting portion, it can be inserted while sliding the spacer piece from the upper side of the opened water jacket, and can be connected in the water jacket. The installation work becomes easy. Furthermore, since the plurality of spacer pieces are connected and integrated after each spacer piece is inserted, a good temperature control function can be ensured as in the case of the integrated water jacket spacer. For example, when the cylinder head is attached to the upper part of the water jacket, the movement of the spacer pieces in the water jacket in the axial direction is restricted, so that the position of the water jacket spacer can be easily fixed.

  Further, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (claim 2), the plurality of spacer pieces can be easily connected integrally by the concavo-convex shape engaging with each other. Moreover, when such an uneven | corrugated shape is formed along a contact side, when inserting a spacer piece, it can be easily slid along a contact side. In addition, such a concavo-convex shape has an advantage that the configuration is simple and processing is easy.

Further, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 3), since the outer surface of the connecting portion has the concavo-convex portion, the spacer is connected by engaging the concavo-convex portion with the connecting operation of the connecting portion. Detachment of the piece in the cylinder axis direction (direction in which the spacer piece slides) can be prevented, and the effect of preventing separation of the spacer piece can be further enhanced.
Further, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 4), since the connecting portion has a hook shape, the effect of preventing the spacer pieces connected to each other in the cylinder circumferential direction can be particularly enhanced. .

Further, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 5), by preparing two types of spacer pieces, even for a water jacket having a complicated shape that surrounds the entire outside of a plurality of cylinders. Water jacket spacers that are integrally connected inside can be easily formed.
Moreover, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 6), the dimensions of the first spacer piece and the second spacer piece can be standardized, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

Further, according to the water jacket spacer of the present invention (Claim 7), the water jacket spacer integrated along the circumferential direction of the cylinder can be attached to the water jacket formed in the cylinder block of the semi-closed deck structure. it can.
That is, since such a water jacket spacer is divided into each spacer piece at the time of attachment, it does not hit the bridge and cannot be inserted. Furthermore, after the attachment, the integrated water jacket spacer can be arranged in the water jacket, and the flow rate control and temperature control of the cooling water in the water jacket become easy.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a water jacket spacer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of a spacer piece constituting the spacer, and (a) and (b) are first spacers. (C) is a perspective view of the second spacer piece, (d) is a cross-sectional view of the first spacer piece (A-A cross-sectional view in (a)), and FIG. 3 is a cylinder to which the spacer is attached. 4 is a top perspective view of the cylinder block to which the spacer is attached, FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the cylinder block to which the spacer is attached, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the engine to which the spacer is attached. FIG.

[Constitution]
(1) Engine (Mainly Cylinder Block) Configuration The water jacket spacer 3 according to the present invention is applied to a water-cooled engine 13 shown in FIG. The engine 13 includes a cylinder block 10 and a cylinder head 12 attached to the upper side of the cylinder block 10. A gasket 11 for securing airtightness is sandwiched between the joint surfaces of the cylinder block 10 and the cylinder head 12. A crankcase (both not shown) for supporting the crankshaft is provided on the lower side of the cylinder block 10.

  The cylinder head 12 is provided with an ignition valve, an intake valve interposed on the intake passage, an exhaust valve interposed on the exhaust passage, and the like. On the other hand, the cylinder block 10 is formed with a cylinder bore (a cylinder, hereinafter simply referred to as a cylinder) 4 in which a piston 14 reciprocally slides. The cylinder 4 is a hole formed in a substantially cylindrical shape whose outer periphery is surrounded by a cylinder liner (a wall body forming a cylinder surface of the cylinder 4) 6. Inside the cylinder 4, the upper end (top dead center side) and the lower end (bottom dead center side) are respectively closed by the cylinder head 12 and the piston 14 to form a combustion chamber. In FIG. 6, the cylinder axis of the cylinder 4 is indicated by reference sign CL.

  The cylinder block 10 is formed with a water jacket 5 as a cooling water flow path for cooling the engine 13 at the outer periphery of the cylinder 4. Here, the water jacket 5 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylinder liner 6, and has a shape capable of cooling substantially the entire outer periphery of the cylinder 4. The water jacket 5 is formed by digging a depth D (see FIG. 6) from the upper end of the cylinder block 10 outside the cylinder liner 6. The water jacket spacer 3 is disposed in the water jacket 5.

  FIG. 5 shows an overall perspective view of the cylinder block 10. In this embodiment, an in-line four-cylinder engine is applied as the engine 13, and the cylinder block 10 has a structure in which four cylinders 4 are arranged in series. The above-described water jacket 5 is formed to communicate with the outer periphery of the four cylinders 4 in the cylinder block 10 of the in-line four cylinders. In addition, a bridge 7 is installed at the upper end of the water jacket 5 so as to connect the cylinder liner (one side surface) 6 and the cylinder block outer wall (other side surface) 8 (between both side walls of the water jacket 5). Is formed. As described above, the cylinder block in which the upper end portion (upper part) of the water jacket 5 is partially connected (closed) by the bridge 7 is called a semi-closed deck.

3-5, the cylinder liner 6 between each adjacent cylinder 4 is connected so that it may mutually superpose | polymerize. In general, a portion where the cylinder liner 6 is superposed is called an inter-cylinder portion. Hereinafter, the vicinity of the portion between the cylinders in the water jacket 5 is referred to as an adjacent portion 15.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the bridge 7 is formed so that its upper end surface is flush with the upper end surface of the cylinder block 10, and its thickness is d.

In the top view of the cylinder block 10, the bridge 7 includes a vicinity of the intersection of the imaginary line L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) connecting the cylindrical axis CL of each cylinder 4 and the water jacket 5, and the cylindrical axis of each cylinder 4. It is formed in the vicinity where the virtual line M (see FIGS. 3 and 4) perpendicular to the virtual line L from the CL intersects the water jacket 5.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper portion of the water jacket 5 is partially blocked by a plurality of bridges 7. The center line in the width direction of the water jacket 5 (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4) is a line that connects arc lines with enlarged outer diameters of the cylinders 4. Among these, the one with the shortest arc length is indicated by the symbol a in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of bolt holes 9 for fastening and fixing the cylinder block 10 and the cylinder head 12 are formed in the upper end surface of the cylinder block 10.

(2) Water Jacket Spacer Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the water jacket spacer 3 includes a plurality of spacer pieces 1 (see FIG. 2), and the spacer pieces 1 are connected and integrally formed. Has been. In the integrated state, it forms a closed curve shape that is continuous in an annular shape so as to surround the entire outside of each cylinder 4 of the in-line four cylinders.

The spacer piece 1 of the present embodiment has two types of members, a first spacer piece 1a shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and a second spacer piece 1b shown in FIG. Several are available. Each of the plurality of first spacer pieces 1a is formed in the same shape. The same applies to the plurality of second spacer pieces 1b and all have the same shape.
In the following description of the spacer piece 1 (the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b), “up / down”, “left / right”, “inside / outside of curve”, unless otherwise specified, FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). The direction indicated by the arrow is pointed to. The vertical direction is the same as the direction in which the cylindrical axis CL (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the cylinder 4 extends.

  The first spacer piece 1 a is a plate-like member that is curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral wall of the cylinder 4. When the first spacer piece 1a is arranged in the water jacket 5, the first spacer piece 1a has a curvature having a predetermined gap (not in contact) with both side walls of the water jacket 5 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, the second spacer piece 1 b is a member formed in a V shape so as to follow the adjacent portion 15 of the cylinder 4. The second spacer piece 1b has a shape in which two plate materials curved with the same curvature as the first spacer piece 1a are integrated into a V shape.

In addition, a connecting portion 2 for connecting the spacer pieces 1 to each other is formed on the left and right end sides (tangent sides) of each spacer piece 1, and the connecting portion 2 has a convex contact side 2 a and a concave contact side. A side 2b is provided.
First, the first spacer piece 1a will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the convex contact side 2a of the connecting portion 2 extends in the vertical direction (side) so as to protrude from one side end surface (the left end surface in FIG. 2 (a)) of the first spacer piece 1a. It is formed in a convex shape over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the end face. On the other hand, the concave contact side 2b of the connecting portion 2 is recessed in the vertical direction (the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the side end surface) so that the other side end surface (the right end surface in FIG. 2A) of the first spacer 1a is dug. It is formed into a shape.

The convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b can engage with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, while aligning the concave contact side 2b and the convex contact side 2a of another first spacer side 1a ″ with the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b of one first spacer piece 1a ′, 'When sliding the downward (Fig. 1 arrow B ₃ direction), and each of the convex Sehhen 2a and凹接sides 2b is engaged uneven engagement, each spacer piece 1a' first spacer piece 1a, 1a " Can be connected to each other. The first spacer pieces 1a connected to each other are restricted from moving in the radial direction of the cylinder 4 by the concave-convex engagement of the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b.

  Further, as easily shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D, a groove 2d extending in the vertical direction is formed on the curved inner surface of the convex contact side 2a. The groove 2d extends from the lower end of the convex contact side 2a to the vicinity of the upper end, and there is an end surface at the upper end 2d ′, but the lower end 2d ″ is open. On the other hand, inside the concave contact side 2b, A flange portion 2c is formed which can be engaged with the groove portion 2d, and the flange portion 2c is formed so as to protrude inside the concave contact side 2b so that the horizontal section has a hook shape (see FIG. 2D). The flange portion 2c extends from the lower end of the concave contact side 2b to the vicinity of the upper end, and has substantially the same length as the groove portion 2d.As described above, the first spacer piece 1a is slid to project. When the tangent side 2a and the concave tangent side 2b are engaged with each other, the groove 2d and the flange 2c are simultaneously engaged with each other by the concavo-convex engagement of the groove 2d and the flange 2c (uneven portion). When the two first spacer pieces 1a are connected to each other, Leaving in the circumferential direction of the Sunda 4 is adapted to be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a protrusion (convex portion) 2e protruding inside the concave contact side 2b is formed on a part of the tip surface of the flange portion 2c. On the other hand, a hole (concave portion) 2f that can be engaged with the protrusion 2e is formed in a part of the bottom surface of the groove 2d. These protrusions 2e and holes 2f are both formed at the same distance from the upper end (or lower end) of the first spacer piece 1a. In a state where the two first spacer pieces 1a are connected to each other, the protrusion 2e enters and engages with the hole 2f. As a result, the first spacer pieces 1a are more reliably connected to each other, and the vertical displacement is particularly difficult to occur.

  FIG. 2 (b) shows the first spacer piece 1a of FIG. 2 (a) upside down. The cross-sectional area (outer shape) of the convex contact side 2a is smaller on the lower end side than on the upper end side. On the other hand, the cross-sectional area of the concave contact side 2b is formed so that the lower end side is larger than the upper end side (that is, the dent is reduced). If there is a difference in the size of the outer shape in this way, an appropriate clearance is ensured between the lower end side outer shape of the convex contact side 2a and the upper end side outer shape of the concave contact side 2b. When connecting 1a, it becomes easy to match the convex contact side 2a with the concave contact side 2b, and a connection work can be performed more smoothly.

Next, the second spacer piece 1b will be described.
As described above, the second spacer piece 1 b is formed in a V shape so as to follow the adjacent portion 15 of the cylinder 4. As shown in FIG. 2 (c), similar to the first spacer piece 1a described above, the second spacer piece 1b also has a convex contact side 2a, a concave contact side 2b, a flange 2c, and a groove on the left and right sides thereof. 2d, protrusion 2e, and hole 2f are formed. Thus, the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b can be slidably connected to each other.

The height H of the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C is determined from the depth D of the water jacket 5 (see FIG. 6) to the thickness d of the bridge 7 (FIG. 4). , Refer to FIG. 6) is set to be equal to or shorter than the length obtained by subtracting (H ≦ D−d). Further, the width W in the left-right direction (joining direction) of the first spacer piece 1a shown in FIG. 2D is larger than the minimum distance a between the bridges 7 above the water jacket 5 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Small (W <a) is set.
In addition, although the material of these 1st spacer pieces 1a and 2nd spacer pieces 1b is arbitrary, it can form with resin, a metal, ceramics etc., for example.

[Action]
The water jacket spacer 3 is configured as described above, and is attached to the cylinder block 10 as follows. Here, the case where each spacer piece 1 is attached to positions S _{0 to} S ₅ in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 will be described.

First, a plurality of the above-described two types of spacer pieces 1a and 1b as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C are prepared. Here, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, since the width W of the first spacer piece 1a is smaller than the minimum distance a between the bridges 7 above the water jacket 5, the first spacer piece 1a is positioned at positions S ₀ to S ₀ . The water jacket 5 can be smoothly inserted from the upper side toward S ₁ .

Therefore, interpolated first, the first spacer piece 1a of the first sheet from the upper position S _1, it is moved and the first spacer piece 1a to the inside in FIG. 1 arrow B ₁ direction of the water jacket 5. At this time, as described above, since the height H of the first spacer piece 1a is set to be equal to or less than the length Dd obtained by subtracting the thickness d of the bridge 7 from the depth D of the water jacket 5, the water jacket within 5 can freely move in the arrow B ₁ direction of the first spacer piece 1a (or the arrow B ₂ direction), can be temporarily placed in the first spacer piece 1a is moved to a position S ₂ .

Subsequently, interpolate a first spacer piece 1a of the second sheet from the upper position S _1. In this case, the combined convex Sehhen 2a of the first spacer piece 1a position S ₁ relative凹接sides 2b of the first spacer piece 1a position S _2, when a is slid into the interior of the water jacket 5, convex uneven engagement between Sehhen 2a and凹接sides 2b, and, by recess-projection engaging the groove 2d and the hook 2c, and the first first spacer piece 1a of the spacer piece 1a and the position S ₂ of the position S ₁ Connected to each other.

Here, when the first spacer piece 1a position S ₁ on the first spacer piece 1a position S ₂ gradually slid in the connecting portion 2, and it hits the bottom 2d "protrusion 2e of the groove 2d It made but, such as by securing a suitable clearance between the groove 2d and the hook portion 2c, and the like for inserting the first spacer piece 1a position S ₂ stronger slightly, eventually the projections 2e and the hole 2f In this state, in addition to the engagement between the protrusion 2e and the hole 2f, the upper end 2d 'of the groove 2d and the upper end 2c' of the flange 2c are connected to each other. , The downward displacement of the first spacer piece 1a is prevented.

Further, the two first spacer piece 1a which together moved horizontally into the interior in FIG. 1 in an arrow B ₁ direction of the water jacket 5, temporarily placed to a position S _2, and S _3.
Repeat this procedure, the first spacer piece 1a temporarily placed in a position S ₁ to S _5, finally, interpolate a second spacer piece 1b from the upper position S _0. By such a procedure, the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b are arranged in the positions S _{0 to} S ₅ in a state of being integrally connected to each other.

  In the water jacket spacer 3 that is integrally connected, in the adjacent connecting portion 2, the other concave contact side 2 b is fitted to one convex contact side 2 a, so that each spacer piece 1 is in the radial direction of the cylinder 4. Movement to is regulated. At the same time, since the flange portion 2c formed on the other concave contact side 2b is fitted into the groove portion 2d formed on the one convex contact side 2a, the spacer pieces 1 are mutually connected in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 4. Movement is restricted. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the protrusion 2e formed in one groove 2d and the hole 2f formed in the other flange 2c are fitted, so that each spacer piece 1 Is prevented from detaching in the axial direction of the cylinder 4. That is, each spacer piece 1 is restricted from moving in three directions orthogonal to each other, and acts so that the respective connecting portions 2 are firmly fixed to each other.

[effect]
As described above, according to the present water jacket spacer 3, the cylinder block 10 of the semi-closed deck, which could not be attached with the integrated water jacket spacer, has the same function as the integrated water jacket spacer. Spacers can be attached.

  That is, since the entire water jacket spacer 3 is divided into the plurality of spacer pieces 1, the water jacket spacer 3 does not hit the bridge 7 and cannot be inserted. Further, since each spacer piece 1 is structured to be connected by a slidable connecting portion 2, the spacer piece 1 is inserted while sliding from the upper side of the opened water jacket 5 and connected in the water jacket 5. And can be easily attached. Furthermore, since the plurality of spacer pieces 1 are connected and integrated after each spacer piece 1 is inserted, a good temperature control function can be ensured as in the case of the integrated water jacket spacer.

Further, by forming the water jacket spacer 3 by dividing it into a plurality of spacer pieces 1, it can be easily manufactured at a lower cost than that of a ring-shaped closed curve shape, and productivity can be improved. it can.
Furthermore, since the connecting portion 2 of each spacer piece 1 in the present embodiment has a convex contact side 2a and a concave contact side 2b, a plurality of spacer pieces 1 can be easily connected together by an uneven shape that engages with each other. can do. Moreover, when such an uneven | corrugated shape is formed along both right and left contact edges, when inserting the spacer piece 1 in the water jacket 5, it can be easily slid along the contact edge of the adjacent spacer piece 1. Can do. In addition, such a concavo-convex shape has an advantage that the configuration is simple and processing is easy.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the outer shape of the convex contact side 2a is smaller on the lower end side than the upper end side, and the outer shape of the concave contact side 2b is larger on the lower end side (smaller dent) than the upper end side. Is formed. Due to the difference in the size of the outer shape, it is possible to secure a clearance when the convex contact side 2a is inserted into the concave contact side 2b, and the connection work can be performed smoothly.
In addition, since the protrusion 2e and the hole 2f are formed on the outer surface of the connecting portion 2, when the connecting portion 2 is connected, the protrusions 2e and the holes 2f engage with each other in an uneven manner, so It is possible to prevent detachment in the sliding vertical direction). Moreover, since the groove part 2d and the collar part 2c are formed in the connection part 2, the effect of preventing the detachment in the cylinder circumferential direction of the spacer pieces 1 connected to each other can be enhanced by engaging these parts with each other. .

  In addition, by preparing two types of spacer pieces, the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b, the water jacket 5 having a complicated shape that surrounds the entire outside of the plurality of cylinders 4 can also be internally The water jacket spacer 3 that is integrally connected with each other can be easily formed. In addition, since the shape of the 1st spacer piece 1a is curving in circular arc shape so that the outer peripheral wall of the cylinder 4 may be followed, it is possible to set the magnitude | size of the width | variety arbitrarily.

Further, in order to form the water jacket spacer 3 having a complicated shape as described above, it is only necessary to prepare two types of members, the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b. That is, the dimensions of the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b can be standardized and can be easily manufactured, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.
Further, the water jacket spacer 3 can divide the interior of the water jacket 5 into a space on the cylinder liner 6 side and a space on the cylinder block outer wall 8 side, thereby rectifying the flow of cooling water in the water jacket 5. Can do.

[Others]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 2 is configured to include the convex contact side 2a, the concave contact side 2b, and the like. However, the spacer pieces 1 that are adjacent to each other are connected to each other in the axial direction of the cylinder (the depth of the water jacket). It is not limited to such a configuration as long as it can be slidably connected in the (direction). For example, a known slide rail mechanism or the like can be applied to the connecting portion 2. In this case, by attaching the slide rail along the left and right side edges of the spacer piece 1, the spacer pieces 1 connected to each other can be slidably connected in the axial direction of the cylinder.

In the above-described embodiment, the first spacer piece 1a and the second spacer piece 1b are all the same shape, but this can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the entire water jacket spacer 3 and the like. . In terms of manufacturing cost, the smaller the number of parts, the better.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the groove portion 2d and the flange portion 2c are formed to extend from the lower end of the connecting portion 2 to the vicinity of the upper end, and the end surface is present on the upper end 2d ′ of the groove portion 2d. You may form the groove part 2d and the collar part 2c over the full length direction of a side end surface, without providing such an end surface.

For example, sectional views and side views of a spacer piece constituting a water jacket spacer as a modification of the present invention are shown in FIGS.
In the example shown in FIG. 7 (a), on the side end surface of the spacer piece, one connecting portion having a horizontal cross-sectional shape is formed over the entire length in the vertical direction by the convex contact side 2a and the groove 2d, and this is engaged with the concave and convex portions. The other connecting part (concave contact side 2b and flange part 2c) is formed over the entire length in the vertical direction. With such a configuration, the lower end of the convex contact side 2a can be slid downward from the upper end side of the concave contact side 2b, or the lower end of the concave contact side 2b can be slid downward from the upper end side of the convex contact side 2a. It is also possible to make it. That is, the spacer pieces 1 can be connected in any order.

  In this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is preferable to provide protrusions and holes that engage with each other when the spacer pieces are connected to each other in the connecting portion. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, a protrusion 2e 'protruding in the curved inner direction is provided at the tip of the convex contact side 2a, and a hole 2f' that can be engaged with this is provided in the concave contact side 2b. Yes. With such a configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for the spacer pieces connected to each other to be displaced in the vertical direction. Such protrusions 2e 'and holes 2f' may be provided at any position on the contact surface between the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b or the contact surface between the groove 2d and the flange 2c. The specific position setting is arbitrary.

  Further, the shape of the connecting portion is not limited to the shape according to the above-described embodiment. For example, a groove 2d is formed on each of the curved inner side surface and the curved outer side surface of the convex contact side 2a forming one connecting portion, and the concave contact side 2b forming the other connecting portion is engaged with each of the groove portions 2d. FIG. 7B illustrates an example in which the portion 2c is formed. In this example, it is formed so as to protrude from the side end face of the spacer piece so that the horizontal sectional shape of the convex contact side 2a is substantially T-shaped. Thus, by making the shapes of the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b difficult to disengage from each other, the connection between the spacer pieces can be made more reliable.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the convex side 2a 'protruding from the side end surface of the spacer piece gradually increases in width toward the tip side (that is, the protruding direction). In addition, an inner concave portion that gradually widens inward may be formed on the concave contact side 2b ′ that engages with the concave contact side 2b ′. Such a configuration has a simpler shape than the provision of the groove 2d and the flange 2c, but can prevent the spacer pieces connected to each other in the left-right direction (circumferential direction of the cylinder).

  In the above-described embodiment, the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b are respectively formed on the left and right ends of one spacer piece 1. However, the combination of the convex contact side 2a and the concave contact side 2b is also arbitrary. It is. For example, a spacer piece having a convex contact side 2a on each of the left and right sides and a spacer piece having a concave contact side 2b on each of the left and right sides are prepared, and these spacer pieces are connected alternately. It may be configured. As described above, various variations of the specific shape of the connecting portion 2 are conceivable, and can be appropriately set in consideration of the ease of connecting the spacer pieces.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the water jacket spacer 3 is applied to the water jacket 5 formed in the cylinder block of the semi-closed deck is shown. However, the present invention can be applied to the case of the cylinder block of the open deck. Needless to say.
As a method for fixing the relative position of the integrally connected water jacket spacer 3 with respect to the water jacket 5, a known method may be used. For example, it is conceivable to attach a fixing hardware to the cylinder liner 6 or the cylinder outer wall 8. It is done. In this case, since the water jacket spacer 3 has an annularly closed curve shape, if at least three fixing points for the cylinder liner 6 and the cylinder outer wall 8 are provided, only one relative position can be determined. Become.

  Further, for example, a method of fixing to the bridge 7 is also conceivable without fixing to the cylinder liner 6 and the cylinder outer wall 8. That is, by setting the height H of each spacer piece 1 equal to the length Dd obtained by subtracting the thickness of the bridge 7 from the depth of the water jacket 5, the upper end of the spacer piece 1 and the lower surface of the bridge 7 are brought into contact with each other. And the spacer piece 1 is fixed by frictional resistance. With such a configuration, the entire water jacket spacer 3 can be fixed to the lower surface of the bridge 7.

It is a perspective view showing the whole water jacket spacer composition as one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the partial structure of this water jacket spacer, (a) is a perspective view of a 1st spacer piece, (b) is a perspective view of the state which reversed the top and bottom of the 1st spacer piece of (a), (c) ) Is a perspective view of the second spacer piece, and (d) is a sectional view of the first spacer piece [A-A sectional view in (a)]. It is a top view of the cylinder block to which the present water jacket spacer is attached. It is a typical perspective view which shows the upper surface of the cylinder block to which this water jacket spacer is attached. It is a whole perspective view of the cylinder block to which this water jacket spacer is attached. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the engine to which this water jacket spacer was attached. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of this invention, (a)-(b) is sectional drawing and side view of the spacer piece which makes the water jacket spacer as a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spacer piece 1a 1st spacer piece 1b 2nd spacer piece 2 Connection part 2a, 2a 'Convex side 2b, 2b' Concave side 2c Gutter part 2d Groove part 2e, 2e 'Protrusion (convex part)
2f, 2f 'holes (recesses)
3 Water jacket spacer 4 Cylinder 5 Water jacket 6 Cylinder liner 7 Bridge 8 Cylinder outer wall 9 Bolt hole 10 Cylinder block 11 Gasket 12 Cylinder head 13 Engine 14 Piston 15 Adjacent part

Claims (7)

A water jacket spacer inserted into a water jacket formed as a flow path of cooling water on the outer periphery of the cylinder,
A plurality of spacer pieces connected integrally along the circumferential direction of the water jacket;
Each of the plurality of spacer pieces includes a connecting portion formed along a side of contact with the connecting spacer piece and slidably connecting the connecting spacer piece in the axial direction of the cylinder. , Water jacket spacer. The water jacket spacer according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed in a convex shape protruding from the contact side or a concave shape engaging with the convex shape. It has a convex part protruding on the outer surface of the connecting part or a concave part engaging with the convex part, and is configured to prevent the spacer piece from sliding in the cylinder axial direction by the engagement of the concave and convex parts. The water jacket spacer according to claim 1, wherein the water jacket spacer is provided. The water jacket spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting portion is formed in a hook shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder. The water jacket is formed in communication along the outer periphery of the plurality of cylinders;
The plurality of spacer pieces are a plurality of first spacer pieces that are curved along the outer peripheral wall of each of the cylinders, and a plurality of second spacer pieces that are formed in a V shape along the adjacent portions of the plurality of cylinders. It has a spacer piece, The water jacket spacer of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Each of the plurality of first spacer pieces is formed in the same shape as each other,
The water jacket spacer according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of second spacer pieces is formed in the same shape as each other. The water jacket is formed in a cylinder block having a semi-closed deck structure having a plurality of bridges that block a portion above the water jacket,
Each of the plurality of spacer pieces is formed such that the width in the connecting direction is shorter than the distance between the plurality of bridges and shorter than the distance between the inter-cylinder portion inside the water jacket and the bridge. The water jacket spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water jacket spacer is provided.

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