JP2021080856A - Water jacket spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

To more stably keep an assembled state in a water jacket spacer comprising a divided structure.SOLUTION: A water jacket spacer 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding a cylinder row 21L, and comprises an intake side spacer 5IN (a first part) and an exhaust side spacer 5EX (a second part) connected to each other by connecting parts 5A and 5B at both ends in a cylinder row direction. The connecting parts 5A and 5B each comprise a first upper side regulating part 51A (a first regulating part) for regulating a relative displacement of the spacers 5IN and 5EX in the cylinder row direction, and a first lower side regulating part 52A (a second regulating part and a third regulating part) for regulating a relative displacement of the spacers 5IN and 5EX in a vertical direction (a cylinder axis direction) and a width direction (an orthogonal direction) orthogonal to the cylinder row direction and the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a water jacket spacer that is arranged in a water jacket provided in a cylinder block to control the flow of cooling water.

The cylinder block of a multi-cylinder engine (internal combustion engine) is provided with a water jacket that serves as a distribution path for cooling water so as to surround the periphery of a plurality of cylinders (cylinder rows). Inside the water jacket, a water jacket spacer that controls the flow of cooling water is arranged in order to set the cylinder to the target temperature.

The water jacket spacer has a tubular shape in which parts corresponding to each cylinder are connected, and is generally integrally molded as a whole. However, in recent years, in order to ensure functionality and production, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a water jacket spacer having a divided structure composed of two independent parts can be seen. The water jacket spacer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration divided at both end portions in the cylinder row direction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-131963

The water jacket spacer having a divided structure is usually inserted into the water jacket in a state where each part is connected and assembled.

However, the water jacket spacer is often relatively thin and easily deformed, and depending on the way the operator holds it and the gripping force, the connected part may shift or the water may be in an incompletely assembled state where the connected state is released. It may be inserted into the jacket. In such a case, it becomes difficult to insert it into the water jacket, and even if it can be inserted, the target water flow cannot be obtained due to the misaligned connecting portion, and the desired cooling effect can be obtained. It may not be possible.

Therefore, regarding the water jacket spacer having a divided structure, it is desirable that the connected state of each part, that is, the assembled state can be maintained more stably, but Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest this point. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water jacket spacer having a divided structure, which can maintain a more stable assembled state. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a cylinder block including a cylinder row in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction and a water jacket formed so as to surround the cylinder row. A water jacket spacer that is arranged inside the water jacket and controls the flow of cooling water, has a tubular shape that surrounds the cylinder row, and is connected to each other at one end and the other end in the cylinder row direction. The first part and the second part are composed of the first part and the second part, and the connecting part between the first part and the second part is a first regulating part that regulates the relative displacement of the second part in the cylinder row direction with respect to the first part, and a first The second regulating part that regulates the relative displacement of the second part in the cylinder axial direction with respect to one part, and the second part with respect to the first part in the orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to both the cylinder row direction and the cylinder axial direction. It is equipped with a third regulation unit that regulates relative displacement.

According to this water jacket spacer, in the assembled state in which both the first and second parts are connected, the relative displacement of both parts in the three directions of the cylinder row direction, the cylinder axial direction and the orthogonal direction is regulated. Therefore, when the operator grips the water jacket spacer, both parts are less likely to shift at each connecting portion, and the assembled state of the water jacket spacer can be maintained more stably.

When an expansion member that expands due to a predetermined external factor is provided inside the tubular water jacket spacer, the water jacket spacer is required to have a divided structure. Therefore, the above configuration is particularly useful in the case where the wall surface on the cylinder side of at least one of the first part and the second part is provided with an expansion member that expands due to a predetermined external factor. Become.

In the water jacket spacer of each of the above embodiments, the first regulating portion regulates the protrusions protruding in the orthogonal direction from the first part toward the second part and the displacement of the protrusions in the cylinder row direction. It includes a wall portion provided on the second part so as to be used.

According to this configuration, it is possible to regulate the relative displacement between the first part and the second part in the cylinder row direction with a relatively simple configuration.

In the water jacket spacer of each of the above embodiments, the third regulating portion includes an engaging piece portion extending in the orthogonal direction from the first part toward the second part and having a claw portion at the tip thereof, and the second regulating portion. It is provided on the part and includes an engaged portion that locks the engaging piece portion.

According to this configuration, the engaging piece is locked to the engaged portion with both ends of the first part and the second part abutted against each other, so that the first part and the second part are relative to each other in the orthogonal direction. Displacement is regulated.

In this case, the engaging piece portion has a concave portion recessed in the cylinder axial direction, and the engaged portion has a convex portion interposed in the concave portion.

According to this configuration, the concave portion and the convex portion are further engaged with each other in the orthogonal direction, so that the relative displacement of the first part and the second part in the orthogonal direction is more highly regulated.

In the water jacket spacer of each of the above embodiments, the second regulating section regulates the displacement of a part of the first regulating section or the third regulating section in the cylinder axial direction, thereby restricting the displacement of the first regulating section with respect to the first part. It may regulate the relative displacement of the two parts in the cylinder axial direction.

According to this configuration, the first regulation part and the second regulation part, or the third regulation part and the second regulation part are shared, so that the first to third regulation parts are collectively provided in a small space. It becomes possible.

In this case, for example, when the third regulating portion includes the engaging piece portion and the engaged portion, the second regulating portion is provided on the second part in the cylinder axial direction. The configuration may be configured to include contact portions that come into contact with the engaging piece portions from both sides.

According to this configuration, it is possible to regulate the relative displacement of the first part and the second part in the cylinder axial direction by using the engaging piece portion of the third regulating portion.

In the water jacket spacers of the above embodiments, the water jacket has a shape in which the flow path width gradually narrows from the cylinder head side to the anti-cylinder head side in the cylinder block, and the first regulating portion, the said. The second regulating portion and the third regulating portion are provided at positions biased toward the cylinder head side with respect to the intermediate portion of the water jacket spacer in the cylinder axial direction.

According to this configuration, since the first to third regulation parts are located in the portion of the water jacket where there is room in space, each regulation part is less likely to be subject to structural restrictions. Therefore, it is possible to provide the first to third regulating portions that can more reliably regulate the displacement in the cylinder row direction, the cylinder axial direction, and the orthogonal direction with a margin.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water jacket spacer having a divided structure, which can maintain the assembled state more stably.

It is a front view of the engine to which the water jacket spacer which concerns on this invention is applied. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the cylinder block and the water jacket spacer together. It is a front view (the view seen from the −X side) of a cylinder block alone. It is sectional drawing (cross-sectional view at the position of line IV-IV of FIG. 2) of the YZ plane of a cylinder block. It is a perspective view of the water jacket spacer seen from one end side (−X side) in the cylinder row direction. It is an exploded perspective view of the water jacket spacer seen from one end side (−X side) in the cylinder row direction. It is an exploded perspective view of the water jacket spacer seen from the other end side (+ X side) in the cylinder row direction. It is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the water jacket spacer which shows the structure of the 1st connection part. It is a front view (front view seen from the −X side) of a water jacket spacer. It is sectional drawing of the water jacket spacer (the sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 9). It is sectional drawing of the water jacket spacer (the sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 9). It is sectional drawing (XII-XII line sectional drawing of FIG. 9) of a water jacket spacer. It is sectional drawing of the water jacket spacer (cross-sectional view of line XIII-XIII of FIG. 9). It is a main part exploded perspective view of the water jacket spacer which shows the structure of the 2nd connecting part.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall engine configuration]
FIG. 1 is a front view of the engine 1 to which the water jacket spacer 5 described later according to the present invention is applied. The engine 1 is an engine mounted on a vehicle as a power source for traveling, and is, for example, a 4-cycle multi-cylinder diesel engine.

The engine 1 includes a cylinder block 2 having a plurality of cylinders (cylinder bores) inside, a cylinder head 3 mounted on the upper surface of the cylinder block 2, and a piston 4 (FIG. 4) housed in the cylinder. It includes an engine body 10. The engine 1 is mounted on the vehicle in a vertical or horizontal position. In the case of vertical installation, in the direction display added to FIG. 1, the Y direction is the left-right direction corresponding to the vehicle width direction, and the Z direction is the up-down direction (+ Z = up, −Z = down).

The engine 1 includes a water pump 11 for forcibly circulating cooling water (cooling liquid) in the engine body 10. The water pump 11 is an impeller type pump provided with an impeller for pumping cooling water. The water pump 11 is driven by the driving force generated by the engine body 10. That is, the driving force of the crankshaft is transmitted to the water pump 11 via the crank pulley 12 attached to the crankshaft of the engine body 10 and the stretch belt 13 bridged over the crank pulley 12.

In FIG. 1, a cooling water inlet port portion 14 for introducing cooling water into the engine main body 10 and a cooling water outlet port portion 16 serving as an outlet for cooling water after passing through a cooling water flow path in the engine main body 10 are shown. Is shown. The cooling water inlet port portion 14 and the cooling water outlet port portion 16 are composed of piping members attached to the engine body 10. The water pump 11 is incorporated in the middle of the distribution channel. In addition to the distribution path in the engine body 10, the cooling water circulates in a circulation path via a heating heater unit (not shown), a radiator for heat dissipation, and the like.

[Engine (cylinder block) cooling structure]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path of the cylinder block 2 portion of the flow path of the cooling water in the engine main body 10. In the figure, the cylinder block 2 and the water assembled to the cylinder block 2 are shown. The jacket spacer 5 is shown. Further, FIG. 3 is a front view of the cylinder block 2 as a single unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder block 2 is arranged so as to surround a cylinder row 21L in which six cylinders (cylinder bores) 21 are arranged in a row in the X direction (predetermined direction) and the cylinder row 21L. It is provided with a water jacket 22 formed of a groove. The X direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the engine 1 is installed vertically. The water jacket spacer 5 is arranged inside the water jacket 22.

The cylinder block 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block that is long in the X direction. A water pump 11 is attached to the side surface of the cylinder block 2 on the −X side, and as shown in FIG. 3, two block-side inlets 15 serving as inlets for cooling water to the water jacket 22 are provided. Each block side inlet 15 communicates with the cooling water inlet port portion 14 shown in FIG. 1 via a water pump 11. That is, the cooling water enters the cylinder block 2 from the cooling water inlet port portion 14, and enters the water jacket 22 from each block side inlet 15 by the pumping force of the water pump 11. Then, as shown by the arrow FL in FIG. 2, the cooling water circulates in the water jacket 22 from the −X side side surface to the + X side side surface of the cylinder block 2. That is, the water jacket 22 is a distribution path for circulating cooling water from one end side (−X side) to the other end side (+ X side) of the cylinder row 21L.

A cylinder head 3 is attached to the upper surface (+ Z surface) of the cylinder block 2 so as to close the upper surface opening of each cylinder 21 of the cylinder row 21L. The cylinder head 3 is provided with an intake port and an intake valve for supplying intake air to each cylinder 21, and an exhaust port and an exhaust valve for discharging combustion gas from each cylinder 21.

In FIG. 2, with respect to the arrangement line (line in the X direction) of the cylinder row 21L, the side on which the intake valve is arranged is the “intake side” and the side on which the exhaust valve is arranged is the “exhaust side”. Is marked. The water jacket 22 includes an intake side jacket 22IN arranged on the intake side of the cylinder row 21L and an exhaust side jacket 22EX arranged on the exhaust side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two block-side inlets 15 formed on the −X-side side surface of the cylinder block 2 are provided at positions symmetrical with each other with the cylinder shaft 21X (virtual central axis of the cylinder 21) as a boundary. ing. As a result, the cooling water is divided into the intake side jacket 22IN and the exhaust side jacket 22EX substantially evenly and circulates in the water jacket 22.

The cylinder block 2 includes a tubular inner block (referred to as a cylinder bore wall 23) for partitioning each cylinder 21 and an outer block 24 provided so as to surround the cylinder bore wall 23. The cylinder bore walls 23 that partition the adjacent cylinders 21 are integrally connected to each other. Therefore, the cylinder block 2 can be said to be a cylinder block having a siamese type cylinder row 21L. A cylinder liner 26 (FIG. 4), which is an inner surface on which the piston 4 actually slides into contact, is arranged on the cylinder bore wall 23 that partitions each cylinder 21.

The inner wall surface of the water jacket 22 is composed of the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23, and the outer wall surface of the water jacket 22 is composed of the inner wall surface of the outer block 24. That is, the space between the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23 and the inner wall surface of the outer block 24 is the space of the water jacket 22 through which the cooling water flows.

The wall thickness of the cylinder bore wall 23 is substantially constant except for the portion of the bore wall 25 which is the wall between the adjacent cylinders 21. Therefore, the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23 has a concavo-convex curved surface shape along the contours of the six cylinders 21 arranged in the X direction in the top view. That is, the outer wall surface has a concave curved surface that is recessed inward in the vicinity of the region of the inter-bore wall 25, and a convex curved surface that bulges outward in the region between the pair of inter-bore walls 25. The inner wall surface of the outer block 24 also has a concavo-convex curved surface shape corresponding to the concavo-convex curved surface shape of the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23. Therefore, in the stretching direction (X direction) of the water jacket 22, the gap (groove width of the water jacket 22) between the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23 and the inner wall surface of the outer block 24 is substantially constant. Therefore, the water jacket 22 has a shape corresponding to the uneven curved surface shape in the top view, and the water jacket spacer 5 also has a shape corresponding to the uneven curved surface shape.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the YZ plane of the cylinder block 2, and specifically, is a cross-sectional view at the position of the IV-IV line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water jacket 22 has an elongated U-shaped groove shape in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the flow path width (width in the Y direction) is anti-cylinder from the cylinder head 3 side. It is formed so as to gradually narrow toward the head 3 side.

The water jacket spacer 5 is formed in a tubular shape that surrounds the cylinder bore wall 23 (cylinder row 21L) when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 4, the water jacket spacer 5 is inserted into the space of the water jacket 22 and divides the cooling water flow path into two regions, a bore side path 22A and an anti-bore side path 22B. The bore-side path 22A is a path closer to the cylinder 21 in the radial direction of the cylinder 21. The anti-bore side path 22B is located outside the bore side path 22A and is a path on the side far from the cylinder 21.

The water jacket spacer 5 serves to control the flow of cooling water in the water jacket 22. For example, the water jacket spacer 5 divides the water flow of the cooling water in the water jacket 22 so that the main flow of the cooling water is formed in the anti-bore side path 22B. That is, the water jacket spacer 5 actively forms the cooling water flow (mainstream formation) in the anti-bore side path 22B, while the water jacket spacer 5 does not positively form the water flow in the bore side path 22A. To control. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cylinder 21 from being overcooled and causing a cold loss.

[Detailed structure of water jacket spacer]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the water jacket spacer 5. The water jacket spacer 5 is made of synthetic resin and has a tubular shape capable of surrounding the cylinder row 21L. The water jacket spacer 5 is provided with an upper end flange 31 at the upper end (+ Z end) and a lower end flange 32 at the lower end (−Z end). These flanges 31 and 32 contribute to maintaining the posture of the water jacket spacer 5 in the water jacket 22 and forming a desired water flow. A notch 33 is provided at the downstream end of the upper end flange 31 in the flow direction of the cooling water indicated by the arrow FL. Cooling water is guided to the water jacket in the cylinder head 3 through the notch 33.

An upper end protrusion 31a protruding upward from the upper end flange 31 is provided at the upper end of the water jacket spacer 5 and at a position corresponding to each bore wall 25 of the cylinder row 21L. Further, at a position corresponding to each bore wall 25 of the cylinder row 21L at the lower end of the water jacket spacer 5, a lower end protrusion 32a (FIGS. 6 and 7) protruding downward from the lower end flange 32 is provided. .. The upper end protrusion 31a comes into contact with the gasket (not shown) interposed between the cylinder block 2 and the cylinder head 3 from below, and the lower end protrusion 32a comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the water jacket 22. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the water jacket spacer 5 is positioned in the vertical direction (Z direction) in the water jacket 22.

The water jacket spacer 5 is further provided with an expansion member 36 on its inner peripheral surface. Specifically, in the region below the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the water jacket spacer 5, the expansion member 36 is provided over substantially the entire circumference except for the positions of the connecting portions 5A and 5B described later.

The expansion member 36 expands due to an external factor, and positions the water jacket spacer 5 in the cylinder row direction (X direction) and the lateral width direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the cylinder row direction in the space of the water jacket 22. In this example, the expansion member 36 is made of a cellulosic sponge, is in a contracted state at the time of engine assembly, and expands due to infiltration of cooling water (external factor). Due to this expansion, the water jacket spacer 5 is pressed against the inner wall surface of the outer block 24 via the lower end flange 32 to be positioned. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the path width d1 of the bore side path 22A (the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the water jacket spacer 5 and the outer wall surface of the cylinder bore wall 23) and the path width d2 of the anti-bore side path 22B (water). The gap between the outer peripheral surface of the jacket spacer 5 and the inner wall surface of the outer block 24) is set to a predetermined dimension. In this example, by positioning the water jacket spacer 5 so that d2> d1, the water flow of the cooling water is positively formed (mainstream is formed) in the anti-bore side path 22B as described above. As the expansion member 36, in addition to the member that expands due to the infiltration of cooling water as in this example, it is also possible to apply a member that expands in response to heat (external factor).

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water jacket spacer 5 viewed from one end side (−X side) in the cylinder row direction (X direction), and FIG. 7 is a view from the other end side (+ X side) in the cylinder row direction. It is an exploded perspective view of the water jacket spacer 5.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the water jacket spacer 5 has a half-split structure (divided structure) along the line in the cylinder row direction (X direction), and the intake side spacer 5IN (main) on the + Y side. Includes (corresponding to the first part of the present invention) and the exhaust side spacer 5EX on the −Y side (corresponding to the second part of the present invention). The intake side spacer 5IN is a portion arranged in the intake side jacket 22IN of the water jacket 22, and the exhaust side spacer 5EX is a portion arranged in the exhaust side jacket 22EX.

The intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are integrated by connecting one end (−X end) and the other end (+ X end) in the cylinder row direction. That is, the water jacket spacer 5 has connecting portions (first connecting portion 5A, second connecting portion 5B) between the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX at one end and the other end in the cylinder row direction.

The first connecting portion 5A is a portion in which the end portion 41A on one end side (−X side) of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A on one end side (−X side) of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are connected. The intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are connected to the first connecting portion 5A, and in this connected state, the cylinder row direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction / "cylinder axial direction" of the present invention ". (Corresponding to) and the relative displacement of the end portions 41A and 42A in the width direction (Y direction / corresponding to the "orthogonal direction" of the present invention) orthogonal to both the cylinder row direction and the vertical direction. There is a regulatory department to do this. Specifically, the first connecting portion 5A includes a first upper regulating portion 51A (corresponding to the "first regulating portion" of the present invention) that regulates the relative displacement of the terminal portions 41A and 42A in the cylinder row direction. The first lower regulation part 52A (corresponding to the "second regulation part" and the "third regulation part" of the present invention) that regulates the relative displacement of the end portions 41A and 42A in the vertical direction and the lateral width direction is included.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the water jacket spacer 5 showing the first connecting portion 5A, and FIG. 9 is a front view (front view seen from the −X side) of the water jacket spacer 5. 10 to 13 are cross-sectional views of the XY plane of the water jacket spacer 5, specifically, X-X line, XI-XI line, XII-XII line, and XIII-XIII in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the line. In FIGS. 10 to 13, the expansion member 36 is not shown.

The first upper regulating portion 51A and the first lower regulating portion 52A are provided at positions that are biased toward the cylinder head 3 side, above the substantially intermediate portion of the water jacket spacer 5 in the vertical direction (Z direction). The first upper regulation portion 51A is provided at the upper end portion of the water jacket spacer 5, and the first lower regulation portion 52A is provided adjacent to the lower side of the first upper regulation portion 51A.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first upper regulating portion 51A is provided along the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 extending in the −Y direction from the terminal portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the outer wall surface 501 of the exhaust side spacer 5EX. Including the regulation wall portion 56.

The plate-shaped projecting piece 55 is a rectangle having a short side in the Z direction and a long side in the Y direction, and is slightly in contact with the outer wall surface 501 of the exhaust side spacer 5EX from the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN. It is provided offset to the outside (-X side) and has a slightly curved shape as a whole. On the other hand, the regulation wall portion 56 is provided with a gap corresponding to the thickness of the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 from the outer wall surface 501. The regulation wall portion 56 is also curved along the outer wall surface 501. The regulation wall portion 56 is erected on the upper surface of the ridge portion 64 described later provided on the outer wall surface 501, and is attached to the vertical wall portion 502 connecting the ridge portion 64, the outer wall surface 501, and the upper end flange 31. It is connected.

With this configuration, when the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are brought together, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a part of the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 is a part of the exhaust side spacer. It is fitted between the outer wall surface 501 of the 5EX and the regulation wall portion 56. In this state, the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 is restrained from both sides in the X direction by the outer wall surface 501 and the regulation wall portion 56. As a result, the relative displacement of the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX in the cylinder row direction (X direction) is regulated. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 corresponds to the "projection portion" of the present invention, and the wall of the exhaust side spacer 5EX including the regulation wall portion 56 and the portion of the outer wall surface 501 facing the regulation wall portion 56. The part corresponds to the "wall part" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first lower regulating portion 52A includes an engaging piece portion 62 extending in the −Y direction from the terminal portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and a covering provided on the outer wall surface 501 of the exhaust side spacer 5EX. Includes the engaging portion 63.

The engaging piece portion 62 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped projecting piece having a claw portion 62a at the tip (−Y end), and similarly to the plate-shaped projecting piece 55, from the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN. It is provided with a slight offset to the outside (-X side). A pair of upper and lower recesses 62b that are recessed in the vertical direction are formed on the upper and lower edge portions (+ Z side edge portion and −Z side edge portion) of the engaging piece portion 62. As a result, the portion between the tip end portion and the base end portion of the engaging piece portion 62 has a constricted shape.

The engaged portion 63 includes a pair of upper and lower ridge portions 64 (corresponding to the “contact portion” of the present invention) extending in parallel with each other from the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX to the −Y side. The spacing between the ridges 64 (spacing in the Z direction) is set to be substantially equal to or slightly wider than the vertical width (width in the Z direction) of the engaging piece portion 62. Engaging convex portions 65 (corresponding to the "convex portions" of the present invention) are projected so as to face each other on the facing surfaces of the convex strips 64. Each engaging convex portion 65 is formed with a slope 65a that is inclined so as to gradually protrude toward the −X side from the + Y side toward the −Y side. Further, on the end portion on the −Y side of the facing surfaces of the engaging convex portions 65, extending portions 66 extending in the Z direction from the facing surfaces are continuously provided.

With this configuration, when the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are brought into contact with each other, the engaging piece portion 62 is inserted between the two convex strip portions 64 of the engaged portion 63. At the same time, the engaging piece portion 62 bends and deforms to the −X side while being guided along the slope 65a. Then, the claw portion 62a gets over each engaging convex portion 65 and the engaging piece portion 62 elastically returns, so that the engaging piece portion 62 passes through the claw portion 62a to the engaging convex portion 65 and the extending portion 66. In addition to engaging with, each engaging convex portion 65 is interposed in each concave portion 62b of the engaging piece portion 62.

In this state, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, the engaging piece portion 62 is engaged with the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX abutting against each other. Engage with the convex portion 65 and the extending portion 66. Therefore, the relative displacement of the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX in the lateral width direction (Y direction) is regulated. In this case, since the engaging convex portion 65 is interposed in the concave portion 62b of the engaging piece portion 62, the effect of regulating the relative displacement in the lateral width direction is enhanced. Further, each of the convex strips 64 abuts on the engaging piece 62 from both the upper and lower sides (both sides in the Z direction), so that the engaging piece 62 is restrained from both the upper and lower sides. Therefore, the relative displacement of the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX in the vertical direction (Z direction) is regulated.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, on the lower side (−Z side) of the first connecting portion 5A where the first upper regulating portion 51A and the first lower regulating portion 52A are provided. Is provided with a polymerization portion 70 in which the terminal portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the terminal portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX overlap each other. Specifically, the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX is provided with a plate-shaped extension portion 72 that further protrudes in the + Y direction from the abutment positions of both end portions 41A and 42A and extends in the vertical direction, while the intake side spacer is provided. A step portion 71 having a shape corresponding to the extension portion 72 is provided at the end portion 41A of the 5IN.

With this configuration, when the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are brought into contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 13, the extension portion 72 and the step portion 71 overlap each other, and both end portions 41A. , 42A are connected without a gap.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the two block-side inlets 15 for introducing cooling water into the water jacket 22 are located below the first upper regulation portion 51A and the first lower regulation portion 52A. It faces the −X side end of the water jacket spacer 5. Moreover, these cooling water inlets 14 are located in the vicinity of the water pump 11 and are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder shaft 21X as described above. As a result, a relatively high water pressure (water pressure of the cooling water discharged from the block side inlet 15) acts on the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX to separate them. However, since the overlapping portion 70 as described above is provided in the first connecting portion 5A of the water jacket spacer 5, the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are slightly deformed and separated from each other by receiving water pressure. Also, no gap is formed between both end portions 41A and 42A. Therefore, it is prevented that the cooling water flows into the inside of the water jacket spacer 5 from between the both end portions 41A and 42A. In order to more reliably enjoy such an effect, as shown in FIG. 9, the length L1 in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the overlapping portion 70 and the vertical length (inlet diameter) L2 of the block side inlet 15 The length L1 of the polymerization section 70 is set so that the relationship with is L1> L2.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the water jacket spacer 5 showing the second connecting portion 5B which is the connecting portion on the opposite side (+ X side) of the first connecting portion 5A.

The second connecting portion 5B is a portion in which the end portion 41B on the other end side (+ X side) of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42B on the other end side (+ X side) of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are connected. The configuration of the second connecting portion 5B is basically the same as the configuration of the first connecting portion 5A. That is, the second connecting portion 5B connects the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX, and regulates the relative displacement of the end portions 41B and 42B in the cylinder row direction (X direction) in this connected state. It includes an upper regulating portion 51B and a second lower regulating portion 52B that regulates relative displacements of the terminal portions 41B and 42B in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the lateral width direction (Y direction).

Similar to the first upper regulation portion 51A, the second upper regulation portion 51B is formed along the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 extending in the −Y direction from the end portion 41B of the intake side spacer 5IN and the outer wall surface 501 of the exhaust side spacer 5EX. Including the regulation wall portion 56 provided in the above. Then, a part of the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 is fitted between the outer wall surface 501 of the exhaust side spacer 5EX and the regulation wall portion 56, so that the end portion 41B of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are inserted. The relative displacement in the cylinder row direction (X direction) with 42B is regulated.

Further, the second lower regulating portion 52B, like the first lower regulating portion 52A, has an engaging piece portion 62 extending in the −Y direction from the terminal portion 41B of the intake side spacer 5IN and the outer wall surface of the exhaust side spacer 5EX. Includes the engaged portion 63 provided in 501. Then, when the engaging piece portion 62 engages with the engaged portion 63, the terminal portion 41B of the intake side spacer 5IN and the terminal portion 42B of the exhaust side spacer 5EX are in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the lateral width direction (Z). The relative displacement of the direction) is regulated.

The second connecting portion 5B is not provided with the polymerization portion 70 like the first connecting portion 5A. This is because the block side inlet 15 does not face the + X side end of the water jacket spacer 5, and the water pressure of the cooling water discharged from the block side inlet 15 is the end 41B of the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust. This is because it does not act directly on the terminal portion 42B of the side spacer 5EX.

[Action effect]
The water jacket spacer 5 applied to the engine 1 is composed of an intake side spacer 5IN and an exhaust side spacer 5EX which are connected to each other at one end (-X end) and the other end (+ X end) in the cylinder row direction. Is. As described above, the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are restricted from being displaced in three directions orthogonal to each other in the cylinder row direction (X direction), the vertical direction (Z direction), and the lateral width direction (Y direction). Connected in the state. Therefore, even when the operator grips the water jacket spacer 5 at the time of engine assembly, the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are not easily displaced, and the connected state of both spacers 5IN and EX, that is, the assembled state of the water jacket spacer 5 is stable. Is maintained.

Therefore, when assembling the engine, the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are misaligned, making it difficult to insert the spacer 5IN into the water jacket 22, or the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are misaligned into the water jacket 22. It is suppressed that the insertion causes inconveniences such as the inability to obtain the target water flow (flow of cooling water) and the inability to obtain the desired cooling effect.

Moreover, in the water jacket spacer 5, the upper regulating portions 51A and 51B and the lower regulating portions 52A and 52B, which are the portions that regulate the relative displacement, are above (+ Z) substantially the intermediate portion of the water jacket spacer 5 in the Z direction. It is provided unevenly on the side). That is, the water jacket spacer 5 is configured so that the upper regulation portions 51A and 51B and the lower regulation portions 52A and 52B are arranged in a relatively large area of the space of the water jacket 22. Therefore, according to such a configuration of the water jacket spacer 5, the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX can be connected without a gap, and the displacement in each of the above directions (X direction, Y direction and Z direction) is surely regulated. There is an advantage that the upper regulation portions 51A and 51B and the lower regulation portions 52A and 52B can be provided with a margin.

In particular, the first lower regulation unit 52A and the second lower regulation unit 52B regulate the displacement in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the lateral width direction (Z direction), respectively, and thus regulate the displacement in the vertical direction. The regulation part is integrated as compared with the case where the regulation part for the purpose and the regulation part for regulating the displacement in the width direction are separately provided. Therefore, as described above, it is advantageous to provide the regulation unit (first lower regulation unit 52A and second lower regulation unit 52B) in the limited area on the upper side where there is a margin in the space of the water jacket 22. It can be said that.

Moreover, of the first connecting portion 5A (connecting portion on the −X side) of the water jacket spacer 5, the portion below both the regulating portions 51A and 51B, that is, the portion facing the block side inlet 15 is as described above. Since the overlapping portion 70 of the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX is provided, there is no portion that locks the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX like the first lower regulation portion 52A. , The formation of a gap between the terminal portions 41A and 42A is suppressed. That is, even if the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are slightly separated by the water pressure of the cooling water discharged from the block side inlet 15, the extension portion 72 and the step portion 71 overlap each other, so that the end portion The formation of a gap between 41A and 42A is suppressed. Therefore, the cooling water invades the inside of the water jacket spacer 5 from the portion of the first connecting portion 5A below the first upper regulating portion 51A and the first lower regulating portion 52A to form an unintended water flow. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the inconvenience of not being able to obtain the desired cooling effect.

In this case, as described above, an expansion member 36 is provided on the inner peripheral surface (position facing the block side inlet 15) of the water jacket spacer 5, and the expansion pressure of the expansion member 36 causes the water jacket spacer 5 to block the outer block. It is pressed against the inner wall surface of 24. Therefore, it is relatively difficult for the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX to be displaced. Therefore, also at this point, it is suppressed that a gap is formed between the end portion 41A of the intake side spacer 5IN and the end portion 42A of the exhaust side spacer 5EX due to the water pressure of the cooling water discharged from the block side inlet 15. ..

[Modification example, etc.]
The water jacket spacer 5 described above is an example of a preferred embodiment of the water jacket spacer according to the present invention, and its specific configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following configuration can be adopted.

(1) The water jacket spacer 5 of the embodiment has a split structure (that is, a half-split structure) along a line in the cylinder row direction (X direction). However, the water jacket spacer 5 is not limited to such a divided structure, and may be a line inclined obliquely with respect to the line in the X direction or a divided structure along other lines. In short, the split structure is such that the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX are connected at one end (-X end) and the other end (+ X end) of the water jacket spacer 5 in the cylinder row direction. If so, the present invention is applicable.

(2) In the embodiment, the regulating portions 51A, 51B, 52A, and 52B are provided above the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the water jacket spacer 5. However, the positions of the regulatory units 51A, 51B, 52A, and 52B are not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, when space is possible in relation to the water jacket 22, the upper regulating portions 51A and 51B are provided above the intermediate portion, while the lower regulating portions 52A and 52B are provided above the intermediate portion. May be provided on the lower side, and vice versa.

(3) In the embodiment, each of the lower regulating portions 52A and 52B has a vertical direction (Z direction) and a width of the intake side spacer 5IN (terminal portions 41A and 41B) and the exhaust side spacer 5EX (terminal portions 42A and 42B). Regulate the relative displacement in the direction (Y direction). That is, the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement in the lateral width direction (Y direction) are common. However, the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement in the lateral width direction (Y direction) may be provided separately and independently.

Further, in the embodiment, the upper regulating portions 51A and 51B are independently provided as regulating portions for regulating the relative displacement of the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX in the cylinder row direction (X direction). However, the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement of the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX in the cylinder axial direction may be shared with the regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement in the vertical direction. For example, it is conceivable to provide the upper regulation portions 51A and 51B with contact portions that come into contact with the plate-shaped projecting pieces 55 from both the upper and lower sides in a connected state between the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX. According to this configuration, the vertical displacement of the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 is regulated by the abutting portion. Therefore, the upper regulating portions 51A and 51B regulate the displacement of the plate-shaped projecting piece 55 in the cylinder row direction between the intake side spacer 5IN and the exhaust side spacer 5EX. It is possible to regulate the relative displacement in the X direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction).

1 Engine 2 Cylinder block 5 Water jacket spacer 5IN Intake side spacer (1st part)
5EX exhaust side spacer (second part)
5A 1st connecting part 5B 2nd connecting part 21 Cylinder 21L Cylinder row 22 Water jacket 36 Expansion member 51A 1st upper regulation part (1st regulation part)
51B 2nd upper regulation part (1st regulation part)
52A 1st lower regulation department (2nd regulation department, 3rd regulation department)
52B 2nd lower regulation department (2nd regulation department, 3rd regulation department)
55 Plate-shaped protrusion (protrusion)
56 Regulatory wall (wall)
62 Engagement piece 63 Engagement part

Claims (8)

It is arranged in the water jacket of a cylinder block including a cylinder row in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction and a water jacket formed so as to surround the cylinder row to provide a flow of cooling water. A water jacket spacer to control
It has a tubular shape that surrounds the cylinder row, and consists of a first part and a second part that are connected to each other at one end and the other end in the cylinder row direction.
The connecting portion between the first part and the second part is a first regulating portion that regulates the relative displacement of the second part in the cylinder row direction with respect to the first part, and a cylinder axial direction of the second part with respect to the first part. A second regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement, and a third regulation unit that regulates the relative displacement of the second part with respect to the first part in the orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to both the cylinder row direction and the cylinder axial direction. The water jacket spacer is characterized by being equipped with. In the water jacket spacer according to claim 1.
A water jacket spacer characterized in that an expansion member that expands due to a predetermined external factor is provided on the wall surface of at least one of the first part and the second part on the cylinder side. In the water jacket spacer according to claim 1 or 2.
The first regulating portion is provided on the second part so as to regulate the protrusion in the orthogonal direction from the first part toward the second part and the displacement of the protrusion in the cylinder row direction. A water jacket spacer characterized by including a wall surface. In the water jacket spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The third regulating portion is provided on an engaging piece portion extending in the orthogonal direction from the first part toward the second part and having a claw portion at the tip, and the engaging portion provided on the second part. A water jacket spacer comprising an engaged portion that locks one portion. In the water jacket spacer according to claim 4.
A water jacket spacer, characterized in that the engaging piece portion has a concave portion recessed in the cylinder axial direction, and the engaged portion has a convex portion interposed in the concave portion. In the water jacket spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The second regulation unit regulates the displacement of a part of the first regulation unit or the third regulation unit in the cylinder axial direction in the cylinder axial direction of the second part with respect to the first part. A water jacket spacer characterized by regulating relative displacement. In the water jacket spacer according to claim 6.
It includes the engaging piece portion and the engaged portion, and includes the engaging portion.
The water jacket spacer is characterized in that the second regulating portion includes contact portions provided on the second part and in contact with the engaging piece portions from both sides in the cylinder axial direction. In the water jacket spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The water jacket has a shape in which the flow path width gradually narrows from the cylinder head side to the anti-cylinder head side in the cylinder block.
The first regulation unit, the second regulation unit, and the third regulation unit are provided at positions biased toward the cylinder head side of the intermediate portion of the water jacket spacer in the cylinder axial direction. Water jacket spacer.

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