JP2009085158A - Lubricating device, oil reservoir fitment, and oil pan partition device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to surely shut off communication between a first and a second chamber, while enabling more rapid oil discharge. <P>SOLUTION: The oil discharge port (154) is provided to the bottom plate (151) of the oil pan (150) and occluded by the drain occluding member (155). The bottom plate (161) of the oil pan separator (160) is provided with the communication port (164) for communicating with the first chamber (131) and the second chamber (132). The float valve (170) is provided in the second chamber (132) and directly under the communication port (164). The float valve (170) is configured so that the valve is capable of floating upon receiving float buoyancy in the oil, occludes the communication port (164) from the second chamber (132) at the upper limit position where the valve contacts the bottom plate (161) of the oil pan separator (160), and is capable of opening the communication port (164) at the position lower than the upper limit position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a lubricating device (for example, an engine, an automatic transmission, etc.) configured to supply oil for lubrication toward a lubricated mechanism (for example, an engine block, an automatic transmission mechanism, etc.). .) The present invention also relates to an oil storage device configured to store the oil. Further, according to the present invention, the oil is accommodated in an oil pan configured to be able to be stored in an inner space, so that the inside of the oil pan is arranged between the first chamber in which the oil suction port is disposed and the outer side The present invention relates to an oil pan partition device configured to be partitioned into a second chamber.

  In general, this type of lubrication device sucks out the oil from the oil storage device by an oil pump and lubricates a member to be lubricated (for example, gear, camshaft, crankshaft, piston, etc.). It is comprised so that it can supply to. In the lubricating device, the oil that has lubricated the member to be lubricated and absorbed heat (such as frictional heat) is returned to the oil storage device from the lubricated mechanism by the action of gravity (return). It is configured to.

  As the oil storage device, a so-called two-tank oil pan that can promote the progress of warm-up operation is widely known (for example, JP-A-2003-222012, etc.). In this two-tank oil pan, the internal space is partitioned into a first chamber and a second chamber by an oil pan separator. An oil strainer that constitutes a suction port for sucking up the oil is arranged in the first chamber.

  According to this configuration, among the oil stored in the oil storage device, the oil in the first chamber mainly circulates in the lubricated mechanism. Therefore, the temperature of the oil and the member to be lubricated rises faster than when the entire amount of the oil in the oil storage device circulates in the lubricated mechanism. Thereby, the progress of the warm-up operation is promoted, and the effect of reducing the fuel consumption by reducing the friction loss can be obtained.

  Further, in this type of oil storage device, the first chamber and the second chamber are reliably shut off during warm-up to obtain good warm-up performance, and the oil can be quickly discharged when oil is changed. Configurations for discharging are proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-77597, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-138792, etc.).

  For example, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-77697 (see particularly paragraph 0041, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10), oil drains are provided in the oil pan and the oil pan separator, respectively. The drain plug for closing the oil drain in the oil pan is provided with a plug for closing the oil drain in the oil pan separator.

  In such a configuration, the oil drain in the oil pan and the oil pan separator is opened by removing the drain plug. Thereby, the oil in the first chamber and the second chamber is discharged.

  On the other hand, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-138792, a float valve is provided. The float valve includes a float member disposed on the first chamber side, a lid member disposed on the second chamber side, and a connecting member that couples the float member and the lid member. Yes. The float member is made of a material having a specific gravity lower than that of the oil. The lid member is configured to close a through hole formed in the bottom of the oil pan separator from the second chamber side. The connecting member is provided so as to penetrate the through hole.

In this configuration, the float valve moves up and down in accordance with the oil level in the first chamber (hereinafter simply referred to as “oil level”). Therefore, during operation (including during warm-up), the float valve is raised and the through hole is closed, thereby blocking communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. On the other hand, when the oil is discharged, the through-hole is opened by lowering the float valve. Thereby, the oil can be quickly discharged.
JP 2003-222012 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-79767 (paragraph 0041, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) JP 2007-138792 A

  For example, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-79767, it is necessary to accurately position the oil drain in the oil pan and the oil drain in the oil pan separator. If this positioning is inaccurate, there is a possibility that the certainty of the communication interruption between the first chamber and the second chamber is impaired. In addition, a dedicated drain plug is required to block both at the same time.

  Alternatively, in this configuration, the oil drain in the oil pan separator is not opened while the drain plug is attached. Therefore, it becomes difficult to perform the oil draining operation more quickly by inserting the nozzle of a known oil changer (see JP-A-6-263195) into the hole for inserting the oil level gauge.

  Further, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-138792, the float is disposed in the first chamber together with the oil strainer. Therefore, the float valve moves inadvertently under the influence of the oil suction force in the oil strainer, so that the oil drain in the oil pan separator has the first chamber and the second chamber. Certainty of disconnection of communication may be impaired.

  Thus, in this type of lubrication device and oil storage device, it is possible to reliably cut off the communication between the first chamber and the second chamber while allowing the oil to be discharged more quickly. It is requested to do.

  The lubricating device of the present invention is configured to be able to supply oil for lubrication toward the lubricated mechanism. The lubricating device includes an oil storage device and an oil suction port.

  The oil storage device is configured to store the oil. The oil suction port is provided at the start end of the oil supply path. The oil supply path is configured to supply the oil to the lubricated mechanism. The oil suction port is disposed in the oil reservoir so that the oil can be sucked.

  The oil storage device includes an oil pan, an oil pan separator, and a drain closing member.

  The oil pan is configured to store the oil in a space inside thereof.

  The oil pan separator is provided with a recess. The recess is provided so as to open toward the lubricated mechanism. The oil suction port is disposed in the recess. The oil pan separator is configured to be able to partition the space into a first chamber and a second chamber by being accommodated in the space inside the oil pan. The first chamber is provided inside the recess. The second chamber is provided outside the first chamber, on the side and below the first chamber. A communication port is provided in the bottom plate constituting the bottom of the recess. The communication port is a through hole and is formed so as to allow the first chamber and the second chamber to communicate with each other.

  The drain closing member is configured to close the oil discharge port. The oil discharge port is a through hole and is provided on the bottom plate of the oil pan.

  The oil pan partition device of the present invention is configured to be partitioned into the first chamber and the second chamber by being accommodated in the oil pan. The oil pan partition device includes the oil pan separator.

  The lubrication device, the oil storage device, and the oil pan partition device according to the present invention are characterized by further including a float valve as described below. The float valve is provided outside the recess, that is, in the second chamber. The float valve is provided directly below the communication port. The float valve is configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil. The float valve is configured to close the communication port from the outside of the recess, that is, from the second chamber side, at an upper limit position where the float valve contacts the bottom plate of the oil pan separator. Furthermore, the float valve is configured to open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position.

  The lubrication device, the oil storage device, and the oil pan partition device may be configured as follows: a guide hole that is a through hole is formed in the bottom plate of the oil pan separator at a position adjacent to the communication port. Has been. The float valve may include a float, a stem, and a stopper. The float is provided directly below the guide hole. The float is configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil. The stem is provided so as to protrude upward from the float while penetrating the guide hole. The stopper is locked to the upper end portion of the stem so as to prevent the stem from falling off the guide hole.

  The float may be configured to close the communication port from the second chamber side at an upper limit position in contact with the bottom plate of the oil pan separator. The float may be configured to open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position.

  The communication port may be formed in a substantially C shape (or a substantially semicircular shape). In this case, the guide hole may be provided at a position (center portion) closer to the center in the C-shape.

  The lubrication device, the oil storage device, and the oil pan partition device may be configured such that a cross-sectional area of the oil flow path at the communication port is larger than that of the oil discharge port. Specifically, the lubrication device, the oil storage device, and the oil pan partition device may be configured such that a minimum opening width at the communication port is larger than a maximum opening width at the oil discharge port.

  In the configuration of the present invention, when a sufficient amount of the oil is stored in the first chamber and the second chamber, the float valve is immersed in the oil. Then, the float valve (the float) floats to the upper limit position and comes into contact with the bottom plate of the oil pan separator. Accordingly, the communication port is closed from the second chamber side by the float valve. That is, the communication between the first chamber and the second chamber at the communication port is satisfactorily blocked (the communication port is “closed”). The blockage of communication with the two rooms is expressed in an easy-to-understand manner based on common wisdom and common general knowledge, and is not limited to the insertion of a tangible object into the communication port.) .

  At this time, the float valve (particularly the float) is provided on the second chamber side. Therefore, the float valve is relatively less susceptible to the oil suction force at the oil suction port. Therefore, the reliability of the disconnection of the communication between the first chamber and the second chamber at the communication port during operation of the lubricated mechanism (particularly during warm-up) can be maintained well.

  On the other hand, the oil is discharged from the lubrication device (the oil storage device) during oil exchange or the like. At this time, the communication port is opened by lowering the float valve. In particular, when the nozzle of the oil changer as described above is inserted into the second chamber side and the oil in the second chamber is forcibly discharged, the float valve is quickly lowered and the communication port An opening is made. Thereby, the oil is discharged more quickly.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably cut off the communication between the first chamber and the second chamber while allowing oil to be discharged more quickly.

  In the configuration of the present invention, the drain closing member for closing the oil discharge port need not be configured to also close the communication port. Therefore, accurate positioning of the communication port and the oil discharge port is not essential. Alternatively, a regular production drain plug, that is, a drain plug having a specification that is generally widely available on the market can be applied as the drain closing member.

  Furthermore, in the configuration of the present invention, the float valve is provided on the second chamber side. Therefore, when an oil strainer is used as the oil suction port, it is difficult to mechanically interfere with the oil strainer. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the device is increased, and the device can be downsized and the float valve can be smoothly operated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (embodiments that the applicant considers best at the time of filing of the present application) will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Schematic configuration of engine>
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an in-line multiple cylinder engine 100 according to an embodiment of the lubricating device of the present invention as viewed from a direction along the engine longitudinal direction (cylinder arrangement direction).

  Inside the cylinder head 110 as a lubrication mechanism, a camshaft 111 as a lubrication member is rotatably accommodated. A cylinder block 120 is joined to the lower end surface of the cylinder head 110.

  Inside the cylinder block 120 serving as a lubrication mechanism, a substantially cylindrical cylinder liner 121 serving as a lubricated member is accommodated. Inside the cylinder liner 121, a piston 122 as a member to be lubricated is accommodated so as to be reciprocally movable in the vertical direction in the figure. A crankshaft 123 as a member to be lubricated is disposed below the piston 122 in parallel with the engine longitudinal direction. The piston 122 and the crankshaft 123 are connected to each other via a connecting rod 124 as a lubricated member.

  A block flange 125 is formed at the lower end of the cylinder block 120. The block flange 125 is provided so as to protrude from the lower end of the cylinder block 120 to the side and outward. An oil strainer 126 is disposed below the block flange 125. An oil suction port 126 a is formed at the lower end of the oil strainer 126.

  The oil strainer 126 is provided at the start end of the oil supply path 127. The oil supply path 127 includes an oil pump (not shown). The oil supply path 127 is configured to supply lubricating oil (hereinafter simply referred to as “oil”) to each of the above-described lubricated members. That is, the oil strainer 126 is disposed in the oil storage device 130 so that the oil stored in the oil storage device 130 can be sucked. The engine 100 is configured to be able to supply the oil stored in the oil storage device 130 to each of the above-described lubricated members through the oil supply path 127.

<Configuration of Oil Storage Device of Embodiment>
The oil storage device 130 of this embodiment has a so-called two-tank oil pan structure. That is, two spaces of the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 are formed in the oil storage device 130. The first chamber 131 is a space in which the oil strainer 126 is accommodated, and is formed on the innermost side of the oil storage device 130. The second chamber 132 is a space adjacent to the first chamber 131 and is provided outside the first chamber 131 so as to surround the lower side and the side of the first chamber 131. Hereinafter, the detail of the structure of the oil storage apparatus 130 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  A lower block 140 is joined to the block flange 125. The lower block 140 is a cylindrical member having a central axis along the cylinder central axis direction (vertical direction in the drawing) in the engine 100, and an upper flange 141 is provided at an upper end portion thereof and a lower side portion at a lower end portion thereof. A flange 142 is provided.

  The upper flange 141 is provided so as to protrude laterally and outward from the upper end of the lower block 140, and is joined to the block flange 125. The upper flange 141 is fixed to the block flange 125 with bolts. The lower flange 142 is provided from the lower end of the lower block 140 toward the side. An oil pan 150 or the like is fixed to the lower flange 142.

<< Oil pan >>
The oil pan 150 is formed in a bathtub shape so as to open toward the upper cylinder block 120. Specifically, the oil pan 150 includes an oil pan bottom plate 151, an oil pan side plate 152, and an oil pan flange 153. The oil pan 150 is integrally formed by pressing a steel plate.

  An oil pan side plate 152 is provided on the periphery of the oil pan bottom plate 151 so as to surround the oil pan bottom plate 151 from the outside. The oil pan 150 is configured to store the oil in a space surrounded by an oil pan bottom plate 151 and an oil pan side plate 152.

  An oil pan flange 153 is formed at the peripheral edge portion on the upper end side of the oil pan side plate 152. The oil pan flange 153 is erected so as to extend outward from the upper end of the oil pan side plate 152. The oil pan flange 153 is joined to the lower flange 142 of the lower end portion of the lower block 140.

  An oil discharge port 154 is provided at the lowest position of the oil pan bottom plate 151 (“lowest position” means that a predetermined device including the engine 100 (such as a vehicle) is placed on a horizontal ground. The lowest position in the direction of gravity action). The oil discharge port 154 is a circular through-hole, and is formed to have a sufficient size (for example, a diameter of about 14 mm) that allows a high-viscosity oil to pass well even at a low temperature (for example, about 0 ° C.). ing. A thread is formed on the inner edge of the oil discharge port 154.

  A drain plug 155 as a drain closing member of the present invention is attached to the oil discharge port 154. The drain plug 155 has a number and is formed as a bolt that matches a thread formed on the oil outlet 154. That is, the drain plug 155 is configured to close the oil discharge port 154.

  The oil pan 150 is configured in such a manner that the oil can smoothly flow down on the oil pan bottom plate 151 and the oil pan side plate 152 toward the oil discharge port 154 without any stagnation due to the action of gravity. That is, by removing the drain plug 155 from the oil discharge port 154, the total amount of the oil stored in the space inside the oil pan 150 (particularly the second chamber 132) passes through the oil discharge port 154 by the action of gravity. The oil pan 150 is configured so that it can flow out of the oil storage device 130.

<< Oil pan separator >>
The oil pan separator 160 constituting a part of the oil pan partition device of the present invention is formed in a bathtub shape so as to open toward the upper cylinder block 120. The oil pan separator 160 is arranged in a space formed inside the lower block 140 and the oil pan 150 so that the space can be partitioned into the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 described above. Has been.

  Specifically, the oil pan separator 160 includes a separator bottom plate 161, a separator side plate 162, and a separator flange 163. The oil pan separator 160 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin plate having high oil resistance and heat resistance and low thermal conductivity. In the present embodiment, the oil pan separator 160 is formed of a plate material having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm and made of 6 nylon resin reinforced by containing 30% by weight of glass fiber.

  A separator side plate 162 is provided on the periphery of the separator bottom plate 161 so as to surround the separator bottom plate 161 from the outside. A first chamber 131 is constituted by a space inside the recess formed by the separator side plate 162 and the separator bottom plate 161 and opening toward the cylinder block 120. In addition, the above-described second chamber 132 is configured by a space below and on the side of the first chamber 131 and sandwiched between the oil pan 150 and the oil pan separator 160.

  A separator flange 163 is formed at the peripheral edge at the upper end of the separator side plate 162. The separator flange 163 is erected so as to extend outward from the upper end of the separator side plate 162. The separator flange 163 is joined to the lower flange 142 of the lower end portion of the lower block 140 and is fixed to the lower flange 142 with bolts.

  A drain hole 164 serving as a communication port of the present invention is formed in the separator bottom plate 161 constituting the bottom of the first chamber 131. The drain hole 164 is a through hole, and is provided at the lowest position of the separator bottom plate 161 (the lowest position of the first chamber 131) so that the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 can communicate with each other.

  2A is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the drain hole 164 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, the drain hole 164 is formed in a substantially C shape close to a semicircle. Two drain holes 164 are provided so as to face each other. Further, a guide hole 165 that is a through hole is formed in a bridge-shaped portion provided between adjacent drain holes 164 in the separator bottom plate 161.

  In the present embodiment, the guide hole 165 is formed in a circular shape. Two adjacent drain holes 164 are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the guide hole 165. That is, the guide hole 165 is provided at a position near the center of the substantially C shape of the drain hole 164. Specifically, the drain hole 164 is formed in such a shape that a circular through hole concentric with the center of the guide hole 165 is divided into two at the bridge-shaped portion in the separator bottom plate 161. Further, each drain hole 164 has a minimum opening width (a width along the radial direction in the arc-shaped outer shape of the drain hole 164) larger than the maximum opening width (outer diameter) of the oil discharge port 154. It is formed as follows. That is, the drain hole 164 is formed so that the oil flow passage cross-sectional area is larger than that of the oil discharge port 154.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, a level gauge support portion 166 is provided on one side in the engine width direction (direction perpendicular to the engine longitudinal direction and the cylinder central axis direction: the left-right direction in FIG. 1). The level gauge support portion 166 is a substantially horizontal portion formed between the upper end portion of the separator side plate 162 and the separator flange 163, and is provided in a rod-like oil level gauge LG or an oil changer (not shown). The changer nozzle CN is configured to be supported while being inserted into the second chamber 132.

  Specifically, the level gauge support portion 166 is provided with a level gauge insertion hole 166a which is a through hole. A level gauge guide 166b made of a cylindrical member is provided so as to protrude upward so as to surround the level gauge insertion hole 166a from the outside. The level gauge insertion hole 166a and the level gauge guide 166b are formed so that the oil level gauge LG and the changer nozzle CN can be inserted therethrough. Further, the level gauge guide 166b is configured to guide the insertion of the oil level gauge LG and the changer nozzle CN and to support them after the insertion.

<< Float valve >>
A float valve 170 constituting a part of the oil pan partition device of the present invention is attached to a separator bottom plate 161. The float valve 170 is configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil. The float valve 170 is configured to open and close the drain hole 164 by moving up and down.

  FIG. 2B is an enlarged side sectional view of the periphery of the drain hole 164 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, the valve body 171 constituting the main body of the float valve 170 is disposed in the second chamber 132 below the first chamber 131 and directly below the drain hole 164. Has been. The valve body 171 as a float of the present invention is configured to be able to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil.

  Specifically, the valve body 171 is a disk-shaped member, and a material (foaming material) having a specific gravity lower than that of the oil so as to generate sufficient buoyancy that allows the float valve 170 to float in the oil. Phenol resin, etc.). A ring-shaped protruding portion 171 a is provided on the outer edge portion of the valve body 171 so as to protrude toward the separator bottom plate 161. The protrusion 171a comes into contact (contact) with the surface of the separator bottom plate 161 on the second chamber 132 side when the valve body 171 rises to the upper limit position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure). The drain hole 164 is substantially closed from the second chamber 132 side (the communication between the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 in the drain hole 164 is blocked and the passage of the oil is prohibited). Yes. Further, the valve body 171 opens the drain hole 164 when the protruding portion 171a is separated from the separator bottom plate 161 at a position lowered from the above-described upper limit position (the first chamber 131 and the second chamber in the drain hole 164). 132 to allow the oil to pass therethrough).

  A circular through hole having the same diameter as the guide hole 165 is formed at the center of the valve body 171, and a stem 172 is inserted through the through hole. The stem 172 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member and is provided so as to protrude upward from the valve body 171. The lower end of the stem 172 is fixed to the valve body 171 with a fastener such as an e-ring. The stem 172 is inserted into the guide hole 165 so that the movement of the float valve 170 can be guided by smoothly moving up and down in the guide hole 165. A stopper 173 is locked to the upper end portion of the stem 172. The stopper 173 is an e-ring, and is provided on the first chamber 131 side so that the stem 172 does not fall off from the separator bottom plate 161.

<Description of Operation by Apparatus Configuration of Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the operation of the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B as appropriate.

<< When the engine is stopped >>
When the engine 100 is stopped and a sufficient amount of the oil is stored in the oil storage device 130, the float valve 170 is immersed in the oil. At this time, the float valve 170 is subjected to its own weight and buoyancy in the oil. Here, a sufficiently large buoyancy is applied to the valve body 171 so that the float valve 170 can be lifted. Therefore, the float valve 170 rises to the upper limit position where the protrusion 171a of the valve body 171 contacts the separator bottom plate 161.

<< During engine operation >>
When engine 100 is started, crankshaft 123 is rotationally driven. The rotation of the crankshaft 123 activates an oil pump (not shown). By the operation of the oil pump, the oil is sucked from the bottom of the first chamber 131 by the oil suction port 126a of the oil strainer 126. This oil is supplied to the lubricated members such as the piston 122 and the crankshaft 123. The oil supplied to the lubricated members such as the piston 122 and the crankshaft 123 performs a lubricating action on the lubricated member and absorbs heat such as frictional heat from the lubricated member. Thereafter, the oil returns to the oil storage device 130 (first chamber 131) by the action of gravity.

  Thus, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the oil in the first chamber 131 is preferentially supplied to the lubricated members such as the piston 122 and the crankshaft 123. The oil in the first chamber 131 is heated by the oil that has absorbed heat by the lubricated member. In this way, the oil in the first chamber 131 is efficiently heated. Thereby, the progress of the warm-up operation is promoted, and the effect of reducing the friction loss and improving the fuel consumption can be obtained.

  At this time, the oil level in the first chamber 131 is lower than the oil level in the second chamber 132 (particularly during warm-up). The valve body 171 is pressed in a direction in contact with the separator bottom plate 161 (direction in which the drain hole 164 is substantially closed: upward in the figure) by the action of the hydraulic head pressure due to the difference in oil level. Further, since the valve body 171 is disposed on the second chamber 132 side, the suction force in the oil strainer 126 provided on the first chamber 131 side is unlikely to act on the valve body 171. Even if the oil strainer 126 is disposed in the vicinity of the drain hole 164 and the float valve 170, even if this suction force acts on the valve body 171, the valve body 171 is brought into contact with the separator bottom plate 161 by this suction force. Pressed. Therefore, in the configuration of the present embodiment, inadvertent communication between the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 through the drain hole 164 during operation of the engine 100 (particularly during warm-up) is effective. Can be suppressed.

<< When changing oil >>
When the drain plug 155 is removed or the changer nozzle CN is set on the level gauge support portion 166 and the suction of the oil by the changer nozzle CN is started, the oil in the second chamber 132 is discharged to the outside. The oil level in the second chamber 132 decreases. Then, the oil level in the second chamber 132 becomes lower than the oil level in the first chamber 131. The valve body 171 is pushed down in the direction in which the protruding portion 171a is separated from the separator bottom plate 161 by the action of the hydraulic head pressure due to the difference in oil level, contrary to the above case. As a result, the drain hole 164 is opened, and the oil in the first chamber 131 flows into the second chamber 132. In this manner, the oil is quickly discharged from the oil storage device 130 when the oil is changed.

<Effects of apparatus configuration of embodiment>
In the configuration of the present embodiment, the valve body 171 constituting the main body of the float valve 170 is disposed on the second chamber 132 side.

  With this configuration, inadvertent communication between the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 through the drain hole 164 due to the action of the oil suction force in the oil strainer 126 can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of the disconnection of the communication between the first chamber 131 and the second chamber 132 at the drain hole 164 during the operation of the engine 100 (particularly during warm-up) can be maintained well. On the other hand, when the oil is discharged from the oil storage device 130, the float valve 170 is lowered so that the drain hole 164 is satisfactorily opened. As a result, the oil is quickly discharged from the oil storage device 130. Moreover, the above-described oil changer can be applied satisfactorily.

  Further, mechanical interference between the oil strainer 126 and the float valve 170 hardly occurs. Therefore, the float valve 170 can operate smoothly. Further, the oil storage device 130 can be improved in design freedom and downsized (inhibition of upsizing).

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, the drain hole 164 is formed to have a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the oil discharge port 154. Therefore, when the oil is discharged by removing the drain plug 155, the oil in the first chamber 131 quickly flows out to the second chamber 132. Accordingly, the normal draining operation of the oil by removing the drain plug 155 can be performed more quickly.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, a float valve 170 that is a member for closing the drain hole 164 of the oil pan separator 160 is provided separately from the drain plug 155 for closing the oil discharge port 154 of the oil pan 150. It has been. Therefore, accurate positioning of the oil discharge port 154 and the drain hole 164, that is, accurate positioning of the oil pan 150 and the oil pan separator 160 is not necessary. In addition, the drain plug 155 can be applied well.

<List of examples of modification>
In addition, each above-mentioned embodiment is only what illustrated the typical embodiment of this invention which the applicant considered the best at the time of the application of this application for the time being as mentioned above. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  Therefore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope not changing the essential part of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, some typical modifications will be exemplified. However, it goes without saying that the modifications are not limited to those listed below. In addition, a plurality of modified examples can be applied in a composite manner as appropriate within a technically consistent range.

  The present invention (especially those expressed functionally and functionally in the constituent elements constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention) is based on the above-described embodiment and the description of the following modifications. Should not be interpreted as limited. Such a limited interpretation is unacceptable and improper for imitators, while improperly harming the applicant's interests (rushing to file under a prior application principle).

  (1) The present invention can be applied to various devices including an oil pan, such as an automatic transmission, in addition to the engine disclosed in the above-described embodiment. When the present invention is applied to an engine, the number of cylinders and the cylinder arrangement method are not particularly limited. That is, the present invention can be applied well to a single cylinder engine, but can also be applied to a V-type 12 cylinder engine.

  (2) The configuration of the oil storage device 130 is not limited to the specific example disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, the lower block 140 may be omitted. That is, the lower block 140 can be integrated with the cylinder block 120 or the oil pan 150.

  (3) The configuration and arrangement of the float valve 170 and its periphery (periphery of the drain hole 164) are not limited to the specific examples disclosed in the above embodiment.

  For example, the number and shape of the drain holes 164 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. Specifically, the two drain holes 164 in FIG. 2A may be coupled to each other on the right side or the left side in the drawing with respect to the guide hole 165. In other words, the bridge-shaped portion provided with the guide hole 165 may be formed in a cantilever shape. Alternatively, a large number of circular drain holes 164 having a slightly larger diameter than the oil discharge port 154 may be provided along the circumferential direction.

  The configuration of the float valve 170 is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment. Specifically, the valve body 171 may be formed in a flat plate shape that can be in close contact with the surface of the separator bottom plate 161 on the second chamber 132 side. That is, the protrusion 171a can be omitted. Further, the valve body 171 and the stem 172 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, a member (plug) for closing the drain hole 164 by being inserted into the drain hole 164 may be provided in the float valve 170.

  (4) Other modifications not specifically mentioned are naturally included in the scope of the present invention as long as they do not change the essential part of the present invention.

  In addition, in each element constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention, elements expressed in terms of operation and function are specific structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications. In addition, any structure capable of realizing the operation / function is included.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an in-line multi-cylinder engine according to an embodiment of the lubricating device of the present invention as viewed from a direction along an engine longitudinal direction (cylinder arrangement direction). FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of a drain hole shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of the periphery of the drain hole shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Engine 110 ... Cylinder head 120 ... Cylinder block 126 ... Oil strainer 126a ... Oil suction port 127 ... Oil supply path 130 ... Oil storage device 131 ... First chamber 132 ... Second chamber 150 ... Oil pan 151 ... Oil pan bottom plate 154 ... Oil discharge port 155 ... Drain plug 160 ... Oil pan separator 161 ... Separator bottom plate 164 ... Drain hole 165 ... Guide hole 170 ... Float valve 171 ... Valve body 172 ... Stem 173 ... Stopper

Claims (16)

In a lubricating device configured to supply oil for lubrication toward a lubricated mechanism,
An oil storage device configured to store the oil; and
An oil suction port provided at the start of an oil supply path for supplying the oil to the lubricated mechanism and disposed in the oil storage device so as to be able to suck the oil;
With
The oil reservoir is
An oil pan configured to store the oil in an inner space;
A concave portion that opens toward the lubrication mechanism and in which the oil suction port is disposed is provided, and is accommodated in the space so that the first chamber inside the concave portion and the outside thereof are laterally and downwardly. The second chamber is configured so that the space can be partitioned, and a communication port that is a through hole is formed in the bottom plate that forms the bottom of the concave portion so that the first chamber and the second chamber can communicate with each other. Oil pan separator,
A drain closing member configured to close an oil discharge port which is a through hole provided in a bottom plate of the oil pan;
The second chamber is provided directly below the communication port in the second chamber and can float by receiving buoyancy in the oil, and at the upper limit position where the oil pan separator comes into contact with the bottom plate, A float valve configured to close the communication port and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position;
A lubrication device comprising: The lubricating device according to claim 1,
In the bottom plate of the oil pan separator, a guide hole that is a through hole is formed at a position adjacent to the communication port,
The float valve is
A float provided directly below the guide hole and configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil;
A stem provided so as to protrude upward from the float while penetrating the guide hole;
A stopper locked to the upper end of the stem so as to prevent the stem from falling off the guide hole;
A lubrication device comprising: The lubricating device according to claim 2,
The float may close the communication port from the second chamber side at the upper limit position contacting the bottom plate of the oil pan separator and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position. A lubricating device characterized in that it is configured. The lubricating device according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The communication port is formed in a substantially C shape,
The lubricating device according to claim 1, wherein the guide hole is provided at a position closer to the center of the C-shape. The lubricating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
A lubricating device, wherein a cross-sectional area of the oil flow path at the communication port is configured to be larger than that of the oil discharge port. The lubricating device according to claim 5,
The lubrication apparatus, wherein a minimum opening width at the communication port is configured to be larger than a maximum opening width at the oil discharge port. In an oil storage device configured to store oil for lubrication of a lubricated mechanism,
An oil pan configured to store the oil in an inner space;
A recessed portion that opens toward the lubrication mechanism is provided, and is accommodated in the space so that the space is formed in the first chamber inside the recessed portion and the second chamber on the outside and on the side and below. An oil pan separator configured to be able to partition, and formed so that a communication port which is a through-hole communicates with the first chamber and the second chamber in a bottom plate constituting the bottom of the recess;
A drain closing member configured to close an oil discharge port which is a through hole provided in a bottom plate of the oil pan;
The second chamber is provided directly below the communication port in the second chamber and can float by receiving buoyancy in the oil, and at the upper limit position where the oil pan separator comes into contact with the bottom plate, A float valve configured to close the communication port and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position;
An oil storage device comprising: The oil storage device according to claim 7,
In the bottom plate of the oil pan separator, a guide hole that is a through hole is formed at a position adjacent to the communication port,
The float valve is
A float provided directly below the guide hole and configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil;
A stem provided so as to protrude upward from the float while penetrating the guide hole;
A stopper locked to the upper end of the stem so as to prevent the stem from falling off the guide hole;
An oil storage device comprising: The oil storage device according to claim 8,
The float may close the communication port from the second chamber side at the upper limit position contacting the bottom plate of the oil pan separator and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position. An oil storage device characterized by being configured. The oil storage device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
The communication port is formed in a substantially C shape,
The oil storage device, wherein the guide hole is provided at a position near the center of the C-shape. The oil storage device according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
An oil storage device, wherein a cross-sectional area of the oil flow path at the communication port is configured to be larger than that of the oil discharge port. The oil storage device according to claim 11,
An oil storage device, wherein a minimum opening width at the communication port is configured to be larger than a maximum opening width at the oil discharge port. By storing oil for lubrication in an oil pan that can be stored in the inner space, the interior is divided into a first chamber in which the oil suction port is arranged and a second chamber outside the oil chamber. In an oil pan divider configured to obtain,
An oil pan separator provided with a recess that constitutes the first chamber, and a communication port that is a through hole formed in a bottom plate that constitutes the bottom of the recess;
The outer side of the recess is provided directly below the communication port, can float by receiving buoyancy in the oil, and at the upper limit position where the bottom of the oil pan separator comes into contact with the bottom plate. A float valve configured to close the communication port from the outside and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position;
An oil pan partition device comprising: An oil pan partition device according to claim 13,
In the bottom plate of the oil pan separator, a guide hole that is a through hole is formed at a position adjacent to the communication port,
The float valve is
A float provided directly below the guide hole and configured to float by receiving buoyancy in the oil;
A stem provided so as to protrude upward from the float while penetrating the guide hole;
A stopper locked to the upper end of the stem so as to prevent the stem from falling off the guide hole;
An oil pan partition device comprising: The oil pan partition device according to claim 14,
The float may close the communication port from the second chamber side at the upper limit position contacting the bottom plate of the oil pan separator and open the communication port at a position lower than the upper limit position. An oil pan partition device characterized by being configured. The oil pan partition device according to claim 14 or 15,
The communication port is formed in a substantially C shape,
The oil pan partition device according to claim 1, wherein the guide hole is provided at a position near the center of the C-shape.

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