JP2020197185A - Internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a structure which enables an alternator to be attached with light force in an internal combustion engine in which an intake manifold and the alternator are arranged at an intake side surface part of an engine body.SOLUTION: An alternator 4 is attached to an engine body (a front cover 3) so as to rotate in a vertical direction with a lower bolt 13 set to a supporting point. When rotated upward, the alternator 4 is held in a use state through a tensioner 14. The alternator 4 can be held at an intermediate attitude having a large space from an intake manifold 29, by a temporary holding bracket 35. Thus, a plug 27 can be connected with a connector 28 without keeping the alternator 4 lifted up. Since the alternator 4 is temporarily supported by the temporary holding bracket 35, a load of a worker is significantly reduced when the alternator 4 is fastened by the lower bolt 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine provided with an alternator.

Alternators for power generation are used in internal combustion engines such as internal combustion engines for automobiles. The alternator is generally driven by an auxiliary drive belt wound around a crank pulley, and is generally arranged on the intake side surface of the engine body.

Although the alternator is driven by the auxiliary drive belt, it is necessary to keep the friction between the auxiliary drive belt and the pulley constant. As a means for this, the alternator can be rotated around the center of the rotation axis parallel to the crankshaft, and the alternator is moved in perspective with respect to the engine body by a screw type tensioner, and a pendulum type tension pulley is used. A built-in auto tensioner may be used.

In any case, a connector (fixed terminal) for connecting a cable is arranged on the upper surface of the alternator, and when assembling the alternator, attach the alternator to the engine body and then connect the plug to the connector. ing.

The problem here is when the intake manifold is placed close to the alternator, and in this case, if the alternator is installed in use, the plug cannot be connected to the connector. Therefore, conventionally, the alternator is attached to the engine body with the plug connected to the connector, or when the alternator is rotatably connected to the engine body, the alternator is bolted to a position away from the intake manifold. After the connection, the plug was connected to the connector, and then the alternator was rotated upward to assemble it in use via a tensioner.

However, since the alternator is heavy, it is very troublesome to attach the alternator to the engine body with the plug connected to the connector in advance. On the other hand, even in the method of connecting the alternator to the engine body and then connecting the plug, the operator has to support the heavy alternator with one hand and connect the plug with the other hand, which is large for the operator. It was a burden.

In addition, a rotation angle sensor may be arranged below the alternator. In this case, the alternator may hit the rotation angle sensor to damage the rotation angle sensor, or the signal cable connected to the rotation angle sensor may be damaged. The alternator could get caught and damage the signal cable.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses that a bracket capable of temporarily holding the air conditioner compressor is provided in the engine body (cylinder block) as a mounting structure of the air conditioner compressor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-189729

The bracket of Patent Document 1 is a kind of spacer, and when this bracket is used, the position of the compressor for the air conditioner changes, so that the size of the auxiliary drive belt must be changed, and a considerable design change is required. .. Therefore, it is difficult to easily apply it to the alternator mounting structure.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such a background, and in an internal combustion engine in which an alternator is rotatably connected to an engine body, a structure capable of reducing the burden on the operator and easily assembling the alternator is provided. It is intended to be provided.

The invention of the present application is
"An alternator with a cable connection connector on the upper surface of the intake side surface of the engine body below the intake manifold is arranged so that it can rotate up and down around the axis parallel to the crankshaft.
The alternator is rotated up and down so that there is a gap between the usage posture in which the connector is close to the intake manifold and the plug cannot be connected and the intake manifold so that the plug can be connected to the connector. It is possible to change the posture to the intermediate posture. "
In the configuration
"A temporary holding bracket capable of supporting the alternator in the intermediate posture is fixed to the intake side surface of the engine body."
It has the feature.

In this case, the temporary holding bracket may have only the alternator support function, or may have the rotation angle sensor cable holding function as in the embodiment.

In the present invention, since the alternator is temporarily held by the temporary holding bracket in an intermediate posture to which the plug can be connected, the operator can easily connect the plug without lifting the alternator with one hand. Further, when the alternator is connected to the engine body, it can be temporarily held by being placed on the alternator bracket, so that the connection work with bolts can be easily performed with a light force. Together, these can significantly reduce the burden on the operator when installing the alternator.

Further, when the rotation angle sensor is arranged in the lower part of the alternator, the bracket can prevent the alternator from rotating to the rotation angle sensor, so that the alternator hits the rotation angle sensor and the rotation angle sensor is surely damaged. Can be prevented. Further, by holding the cable connected to the rotation angle sensor with the bracket, it is possible to prevent the alternator from hitting the cable and damaging the cable, and it is also possible to prevent a problem that another object is caught in the cable.

It is a side view which looked at the internal combustion engine from the exhaust side. It is a figure which shows the form of a bracket. It is the figure of the state which the bracket is attached to the cylinder block. It is a schematic front view which looked at the state which the alternator is in the use posture from the crankshaft direction. It is a schematic front view which looked at the state which the alternator is in an intermediate posture from the crankshaft direction. It is a front view of the embodiment applied to the auto tensioner type.

Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine for automobiles will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the wording before and after is used to specify the direction, but the crankshaft direction is the front-back direction. For front and back, the side where the timing chain is placed is the front, and the side where the mission is placed is the back. FIGS. 1 to 5 show an example applied to the screw type tensioner type, and FIG. 6 shows an example applied to the auto tensioner type.

(1). Basic configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the engine body includes a cylinder block 1 and a cylinder head 2 fixed to the upper surface thereof, and a front cover laminated and fixed on the front surface of the cylinder block 1 and the cylinder head 2. It has 3. An oil pan is fixed to the lower surface of the cylinder block 1, but it is omitted in the drawing. The front cover 3 also overlaps the front surface of the oil pan.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the intake side surface of the engine body, and as can be understood from this figure, the alternator 4 is arranged outside the intake side surface of the engine body in a posture in which the rotation axis is parallel to the crank axis O. ing. The alternator 4 includes an alternator pulley 5 located in front of the cylinder block 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the first auxiliary machine drive belt 8 is wound around the crank pulley 6, the alternator pulley 5, and the idle pulley 7. ing.

As partially shown in FIG. 1, a second auxiliary drive belt 9 for driving an air conditioner compressor and a water pump (neither of them is shown) is also wound around the crank pulley 6. The second auxiliary machine drive belt 9 is arranged at a portion farther from the front cover 3 than the first auxiliary machine drive belt 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, a triangular lower overhanging portion 10 and an upper overhanging portion 11 are formed on the front portion of the alternator 4 when viewed from the front, and the lower overhanging portion 10 is provided on the front cover 3. It is fastened to the support portion 12 by a lower bolt 13. On the other hand, the overhanging portion 11 is connected to the upper supporting portion 15 provided on the front cover 3 via the tensioner 14 also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tensioner 14 has a first member 17 fastened to the upper support portion 15 of the front cover 3 by an upper bolt 16 and a second member slidably mounted on the first member 17. The first member 17 has an arcuate elongated hole 20 through which the bolt 19 is inserted, and the second member 18 has a round hole through which the bolt 19 is inserted.

Further, the second member 18 protrudes farther than the first member 17, and the adjusting bolt 22 is inserted into the second bent piece 21 provided at the tip of the second member 18, while the tip of the first member 17 is inserted. Also, a first bent piece 23 is formed, and a nut 24 into which the adjusting bolt 22 is screwed is fixed to the first bent piece 23.

Therefore, by screwing the bolt 19 into the overhanging portion 11 of the alternator 4 through the elongated hole 20 of the first member 17 and the round hole of the second member 18, the upper part of the alternator 4 is connected to the front cover 3 via the tensioner 14. The alternator 4 is moved in perspective with respect to the engine body by rotating the adjusting bolt 22 in a state where the bolt 19 is loosened, and the tension of the first auxiliary machine drive belt 8 is adjusted. Can be done.

As shown in FIG. 1, a connector (fixed terminal) 28 to which a plug 27 to which the power cable 26 is connected is connected is provided on the upper surface of the rear portion of the alternator 4. An intake manifold 29 provided with a surge tank is arranged above the rear portion of the alternator 4.

The alternator 4 can be rotated up and down with the lower bolt 13 as a fulcrum, and is connected to the front cover 3 via the tensioner 14 in a used state in which the alternator 4 is rotated upward. Since the manifold 29 and the connector 28 are in close proximity, the plug 27 cannot be connected or disconnected. Therefore, the connection of the plug 27 is performed before the alternator 4 is rotated upward.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rotation angle detection disk 32 is fixed to a portion of the crankshaft 31 closer to the front cover 3 than the crank pulley 6, and a rotation angle detection disc 32 is fixed to the side surface of the front cover 3. A rotation angle sensor 33 including a photoelectric detection unit 33a that surrounds a part of the disk 32 is fixed. The outer circumference of the rotation angle detection disk 32 has an uneven shape, and the rotation angle and rotation speed of the camshaft can be detected by detecting the passage and blocking of light due to the unevenness as an electric signal. A signal cable 34 is connected to the rotation angle sensor 33, and a signal is transmitted from the signal cable 34 to the engine control unit.

(2). Temporary holding bracket for the alternator The alternator 4 is manually attached. First, the alternator 4 is lifted and temporarily connected to the front cover 3 by the lower bolt 13, and then the plug 27 is connected to the connector 28. Then, the alternator 4 is rotated upward and fixed to the tensioner 14 with bolts 19, but since the alternator 4 is heavy, if the operator keeps holding the alternator 4 with one hand in the installation process, the work It puts a heavy burden on the person.

Therefore, the temporary holding bracket 35 is fixed to the cylinder block 1, and as shown in FIG. 5, the alternator 4 is supported by the temporary holding bracket 35 in an intermediate posture away from the intake manifold 29, whereby the operator Allows the plug 27 to be connected without lifting the alternator 4. Further, even when the alternator 4 is connected to the front cover 3 by the lower bolt 13, the alternator 4 can be placed on the temporary holding bracket 35, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the temporary holding bracket 35 is made of sheet metal, and has a substrate 36 that overlaps the exhaust side surface of the cylinder block 1, a support piece 37 that projects laterally from the upper end of the substrate 36, and upwards toward the rear portion of the substrate 36. It has an upright piece 38 protruding from the ground, and a downward portion 39 is projected from the front-rear intermediate portion of the substrate 36, and a bolt insertion hole 40 is formed at the downward portion 39.

Therefore, although the temporary holding bracket 35 is fixed to the cylinder block 1 with one bolt 41, it is directed toward the cylinder block 1 at the front end of the substrate 36 and the rear end of the downward portion 39 to prevent rotation. The protruding positioning pieces (anti-rotation) 42a and 42b are bent and formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the front positioning piece 42a overlaps the front end surface of the cylinder block 1, and the rear positioning piece 42b is fitted in the recess 43 formed in the cylinder block 1.

The support piece 37 is formed with a downward rib 37b for reinforcement. Further, the tip end portion of the support piece 37 is an inclined portion 37a facing diagonally downward. The inclined portion 37a is also inclined so as to be lowered toward the front.

An elongated hole 45 is formed in the front portion of the substrate 36 and the upright piece 38, and a resin cable catch 46 (see FIG. 3) holding the signal cable 34 of the rotation angle sensor 33 is inserted into the elongated hole 45. Can be attached. The standing piece 38 is displaced in the direction away from the cylinder block 1.

When attaching the alternator 4 and connecting the plug 27, the alternator 4 can be supported by the support piece 37 of the temporary holding bracket 35. Therefore, the alternator 4 is provided with a rib 44 mounted on the support piece 37.

Since the lower surface of the alternator 4 is supported by the support piece 37 of the temporary holding bracket 35, it is difficult to visually recognize the temporary holding bracket 35 when the alternator 4 is attached. Therefore, when the alternator 4 is lifted and tried to be set in the cylinder block 1, it is assumed that the alternator 4 collides with the tip surface of the support piece 37 of the temporary holding bracket 35.

In this respect, if the inclined portion 37a is formed on the support piece 37 as in the embodiment, the alternator 4 is guided so as to be lifted, so that there is an advantage that a collision can be prevented and the alternator 4 can be smoothly set in a predetermined posture. ..

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, since the underhanging portion 10 has a triangular shape, the lower surface 10a of the underhanging portion 10 is inclined so as to become lower as it goes away from the lower bolt 13 in the intermediate posture. The lower surface of the rib 44 provided on the alternator 4 is also inclined so as to be lowered as the distance from the cylinder block 1 increases in the intermediate posture on which the support piece 37 of the temporary holding bracket 35 is placed (in the front view of FIGS. 4 and 5). , The lower surface 10a of the underhanging portion 10 and the lower surface of the rib 44 overlap.).

Therefore, when the operator lifts the alternator 4 and sets it on the cylinder block 1, even if the alternator 4 is lower than the predetermined height, it can be accurately prevented from colliding with the support piece 37 and can be smoothly moved upward. .. Further, since the inclined portion 37a of the support piece 37 is inclined so as to be lowered even toward the front, the alternator 4 is guided so as to shift toward the front, so that the underhanging portion 10 is temporarily held by the bracket. It can be held in close contact with the lower support portion 12 of 35. Therefore, the lower bolt 13 can be smoothly screwed into the underhanging portion 10.

When the cable catch 46 is provided on the temporary holding bracket 35 to hold the signal cable 34 of the rotation angle sensor 33 as in the embodiment, it is possible to prevent a problem of being caught in the signal cable 34 when the alternator 4 is attached. In addition, it is possible to prevent other objects from being caught in the signal cable 34. Reference numerals 48 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are drive shafts for driving the front wheels. However, if the alternator 4 is temporarily held in the intermediate posture by using the temporary holding bracket 35, it is possible to prevent the alternator 4 from hitting the drive shaft 48. ..

(3). Example of application to auto tensioner type In the above embodiment, a screw type tensioner 14 is used as a means for applying an appropriate tension to the auxiliary drive belt 8, but the present invention includes an auto tensioner. Also applicable to types. An example thereof is shown in FIG.

The auto tensioner 50 is rotatably attached to a base 51 fixed to a lateral extension portion 10b of an underhanging portion 10 of the alternator 4, an arm 52 rotatably connected to the base 51, and a tip end portion of the arm 52. It is equipped with a tension pulley 53. The center of rotation of the arm 52 is indicated by reference numeral 54.

The base 51 is fixed to the lateral extension portion 10b of the underhanging portion 10 with two left and right bolts (not shown). Therefore, the lateral extension portion 10b of the underhanging portion 10 has two tap holes 55 on the left and right.

Further, the arm 52 is arranged on the front side of the base 61, and the cylinder portion provided on the base 51 and the cylinder portion provided on the arm 52 are fitted to each other, and a spring is arranged between the cylinder portions. It is set so that elastic resistance is applied regardless of which direction the arm 52 rotates. The arm 52 is arranged on the front side of the pulley 5 of the alternator 4, and the tension pulley 53 is connected to the rear surface portion of the arm 52.

In the present embodiment, the overhanging portion 11 of the alternator 4 is fixed to the upper supporting portion 15 of the front cover 3 so as not to be displaced via the first member (bracket) 17. That is, the overhanging portion 11 is fixed to the first member 17 fixed to the front cover 3 with bolts 19.

The procedure for assembling the alternator is the same as that of the previous embodiment. The underhanging portion 10 of the alternator 4 is temporarily fastened to the front cover 3 by the lower bolt 13, and the alternator 4 is held in the intermediate posture by the temporary holding bracket 35. In this state, the plaque 27 is connected to the connector 28, and then the alternator 4 is rotated upward to fix the overhanging portion 11 to the first member 17 with bolts. Similar to the previous embodiment, the alternator 4 can be placed on the temporary holding bracket 35 when the underhanging portion 11 is temporarily fastened by the lower bolt 13.

When assembling the alternator 4, the auto tensioner 50 can be attached to the alternator 4 in advance, or the alternator 4 can be fixed and then the auto tensioner can be attached. When the auto tensioner 50 is attached to the alternator 4 in advance, the lower bolt 13 can be screwed in by rotating the arm 52 up or down. In this case, since the alternator 4 can be placed on the temporary holding bracket 35, the lower bolt 13 can be easily screwed in while the arm 52 is rotated.

When using the screw type tensioner 14, the plug 27 is connected by operating the adjusting bolt 22 and rotating the alternator 4 downward with the overhanging portion 11 connected to the front cover 3. However, when the auto tensioner 50 is used, the plug 27 cannot be connected unless the overhanging portion 11 is fixed. Therefore, when the auto tensioner 50 is used, it is highly necessary to hold the alternator 4 in the intermediate posture for connecting the plug 27.

Therefore, it can be said that the present invention is particularly useful when the auto tensioner 50 is used. If the auto tensioner 50 is attached to the alternator 4 in advance, the visibility of the underhanging portion 10 is lowered. Therefore, by placing the alternator 4 on the temporary holding bracket 35, the lower bolt 13 can be easily inserted and screwed in. You can. In this respect as well, it can be said that it is particularly useful when the auto tensioner 50 is provided.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various ways other than the above-described embodiment. For example, the temporary holding bracket does not necessarily have to have a cable holding function. In the embodiment, the alternator is fastened to the front cover 3, but the alternator may be fastened to the support portion provided on the cylinder block. The tensioner can adopt various structures. When using an auto tensioner, it is also possible to fix the base to the front cover or cylinder block.

The invention of the present application can be embodied in an internal combustion engine provided with an alternator. Therefore, it can be used industrially.

1 Cylinder block that composes the engine body 2 Cylinder head that composes the engine body 3 Front cover that composes the engine body 4 Alternator 5 Alternator pulley 6 Crank pulley 8 1st auxiliary machine drive belt 10 Under overhang 11 Overhang 12 Under support Part 13 Lower bolt 14 Tensioner 15 Upper support 16 Upper bolt 26 Power cable 27 Plug 28 Connector (fixed terminal)
29 Intake manifold 32 Rotation angle detection disk 33 Rotation angle sensor 34 Signal cable 35 Temporary holding bracket 36 Board 37 Support piece 38 Standing piece 44 Rib 46 Cable catch 50 Auto tensioner 51 Base 52 Arm 53 Tension pulley

Claims (1)

An alternator with a cable connection connector on the upper surface is arranged on the upper surface of the intake side surface of the engine body below the intake manifold so that it can rotate up and down around the axis parallel to the crankshaft.
The alternator is rotated up and down so that there is a gap between the usage posture in which the connector is close to the intake manifold and the plug cannot be connected and the intake manifold so that the plug can be connected to the connector. It is a configuration that can change the posture to the intermediate posture.
A temporary holding bracket capable of supporting the alternator in the intermediate posture is fixed to the intake side surface of the engine body.
Internal combustion engine.

Images