JP3932794B2 - Engine oil separator structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an engine oil separator structure in which an oil separator for separating oil from blow-by gas is provided on a cylinder block side wall of the engine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2888383, in order to equip an engine with a blow-by gas reduction device having a separator chamber (breather chamber) having a relatively large capacity, a separator chamber is formed on the side wall of a cylinder block. A structure is known in which blow-by gas is guided from a crankcase to the separator chamber to separate oil, and then blow-by gas is sent to an intake system via a PCV valve.
[0003]
The structure of the oil separator portion described in this publication will be specifically described. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in this publication, a recess that constitutes a separator chamber (breather chamber) is provided on the side wall of the cylinder block. In addition, a cover member (lid body) that covers the concave portion is attached, and baffle plates (partition plates) that protrude into the concave portion are provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages on the cover member.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the above structure, problems remain in terms of securing the rigidity of the cylinder block and the oil separation function.
[0005]
That is, the cylinder block of a multi-cylinder engine is likely to have a lower rigidity at the intermediate portion than both ends in the cylinder row direction, and ribs may be provided to increase the rigidity. However, as described above, the separator chamber is provided on the side wall of the cylinder block. In the case of providing the concave portion that constitutes, it is not possible to provide a rib in this portion, and it is difficult to increase the rigidity of this portion. Moreover, it is difficult to sufficiently enhance the oil separation function simply by protruding a plurality of baffle plates (partition plates) from the cover member.
[0006]
In the example shown in FIG. 4 of the above publication, the entire breather chamber including the outer wall portion (portion corresponding to the cover) covering the recess is integrally formed, and the baffles are staggered from the opposite wall surfaces into the breather chamber. Although a plate (partition plate) is projected, such an integral structure is very difficult to mold, and there is still room for improvement in terms of oil separation function and the like.
[0007]
In view of these points, the present invention has a structure in which a relatively large-capacity separator chamber is provided in the side wall portion of the cylinder block, and the rigidity of this portion can be increased and the oil separation function can be improved. Is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a frame-shaped bank portion protruding outward is provided on the side wall of the cylinder block, and a cover member covering an inner space surrounded by the frame-shaped bank portion is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion, and a separator chamber is formed. And an oil separator structure in which a blow-by gas introduction port and a blow-by gas lead-out port leading to the separator chamber are provided, and a baffle plate protruding into the inner space of the frame-shaped bank portion is provided on the cover member. The blow-by gas inlet is provided in the lower part of the separator chamber and the blow-by gas outlet is provided in the upper part, and the protruding height is substantially the same as the frame-like bank part on the side wall of the cylinder block inside the frame-like bank part. a is, the separator chamber so as to partition into an upper space communicating with the lower space and the blow-by gas outlet leading to the blow-by gas inlet, across the frame-shaped ridge extending in the direction of the row of cylinders The inner bank portion leading to provided, and is positioned to the inner bank portion positioned lower than the bottom of the water jacket formed in the cylinder bore outer periphery, within the framework of the frame in the projection area of the lower space of the upper space A cover-side bank portion that is set to be larger than the projected area and is opposed to the inner bank portion and the frame-shaped bank portion and is abutted with these projecting end faces is provided on the cover member, and the inner bank portion Is provided with a cutout portion through which blow-by gas is circulated in the cover-side bank portion of the portion facing the surface.
[0009]
According to this structure, in addition to the oil separation action by the baffle plate with respect to the blow-by gas flowing into the separator chamber, the blow-by gas stays in the space defined by the inner bank part and the cover side bank part facing it. The oil is sufficiently separated. In particular, the volume of the upper space is large, and the residence time of the blow-by gas in this space is increased, so that the oil separation performance is enhanced. In addition, the frame-shaped bank portion protrudes from the cylinder block side wall, the inner bank portion extends in the cylinder row direction, and both ends are connected to the frame-shaped bank portion. The inner bank portion reinforces the cylinder block side wall, and the rigidity of the cylinder block side wall is sufficiently increased.
[0012]
It is preferable to form the baffle plate so that the baffle plate protrudes into the lower space and the one end side in the cylinder row direction is inclined upward. If it does in this way, in the said lower space, the oil separation effect | action will be acquired favorably by changing the flow of blow-by gas with a baffle plate.
[0013]
In addition, the notch portion is provided on one end side in the cylinder row direction in the cover side bank portion facing the inner ridge portion, and the blow-by gas outlet is provided in the upper portion of the separator chamber on the other end side in the cylinder row direction. Is preferred. If it does in this way, it will be prevented effectively that the blow-by which entered the upper space through the above-mentioned notch flows into the blow-by gas outlet port in a short circuit.
[0014]
Further, according to the structure of the present invention, a frame-shaped bank portion protruding outward is provided on the cylinder block side wall, and a cover member covering an inner space surrounded by the frame-shaped bank portion is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion. The separator chamber is provided with a blow-by gas inlet and a blow-by gas outlet that lead to the separator chamber, and the cover member is provided with a baffle plate that protrudes into the space inside the frame-shaped bank portion The separator structure has an upper bank portion and a lower bank portion of the frame-shaped bank portion extending in the cylinder row direction in a range straddling at least two adjacent cylinders, and the upper bank portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder bore. located outside of the water jacket, the lower bank portion is disposed so as to be positioned at a height corresponding to the crankcase upper end of the cylinder block lower side sheet in the inside of the frame-shaped bank portion On the side wall of the inner block, the protruding height is substantially the same as that of the frame-shaped bank portion, and both ends are extended in the cylinder row direction so as to divide the inner space into a blow-by gas introduction side and a blow-by gas lead-out side. Providing an inner bank part connected to the frame-like bank part, providing a cover-side bank part facing the inner bank part and the frame-like bank part and facing these projecting end faces on the cover member; and A cut-out portion through which blow-by gas is circulated is provided on the cover-side dam portion at the portion facing the inner ridge portion.
[0015]
According to this structure, in addition to the oil separation action by the baffle plate with respect to the blow-by gas flowing into the separator chamber, the blow-by gas stays in the space defined by the inner bank part and the cover side bank part facing it. The oil is sufficiently separated. Further, the frame-shaped bank portion and the inner bank portion reinforce the cylinder block side wall, and the rigidity of the cylinder block side wall is sufficiently increased. In particular, the cylinder block side wall is effectively reinforced at the part between the cylinders where the rigidity of the cylinder block tends to decrease.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0017]
1 to 4 show a cylinder block of an engine having an oil separator structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 further schematically shows a cylinder head and an intake manifold by two-dot chain lines.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an engine body, which is composed of a cylinder block 2 and a cylinder head 3 installed thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine is an in-line four-cylinder engine (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and the engine body 1 is placed horizontally with respect to the vehicle, that is, the engine is arranged such that the cylinder row direction extends in the width direction of the vehicle. Located in the room. An intake manifold 4 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the engine body 1, and a downstream end of the intake manifold 4 is connected to the cylinder head 3 by bolt fastening. The cylinder block 2 and the cylinder head 3 are made of an aluminum alloy, and the intake manifold 4 is made of a synthetic resin.
[0019]
Four cylinder bores 5 are formed in the cylinder block 2, and a water jacket 6 is formed in an upper predetermined range around the cylinder bore 5. A crankcase 7 is integrally connected to a lower portion of the cylinder block 2. An oil separator 10 for separating oil from blow-by gas is provided on one side wall of the cylinder block 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the oil separator 10 is provided on the side wall of the cylinder block 2 on the vehicle front side and is located behind the intake manifold 4.
[0020]
The structure of the cylinder block 2 and the oil separator 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The side wall of the cylinder block 2 is provided with a frame-shaped bank portion 11 protruding outward, and an inner space 12 surrounded by the frame-shaped bank portion 11 is divided into a blow-by gas introduction side and a blow-by gas outlet side. An inward bank portion 13 is provided.
[0021]
The frame-shaped bank portion 11 has a substantially rectangular frame shape composed of an upper bank portion 11a, both-side bank portions 11b and 11c, and a lower bank portion 11d, and these upper, both sides, and lower bank portions 11a to 11d protrude. The end faces are flush.
[0022]
The upper bank portion 11 a of the frame-shaped bank portion 11 projects outward from the outer wall surface of the water jacket 6 near the upper end of the cylinder block 2, while the lower bank portion 11 d is near the upper end of the crankcase 7 at the lower portion of the cylinder block 2. Projecting outward from the outer wall surface of the. The upper bank portion 11a and the lower bank portion 11d extend in the cylinder row direction as long as they extend over at least two adjacent cylinders. In the illustrated embodiment, as a preferred embodiment in a four-cylinder engine, the second and third cylinders are used. Extends in the cylinder row direction. In addition, one side (right side in FIG. 2) inclines upward from the intermediate part of the lower bank part 11d.
[0023]
Both side bank portions 11b and 11c extend in the vertical direction so as to connect both ends of the upper bank portion 11a and both ends of the lower bank portion 11d.
[0024]
In this way, the frame-shaped bank portion 11 is formed in a range extending from the vicinity of the upper end of the cylinder block 2 to the vicinity of the upper end of the crankcase 7 in the vertical direction, and in a range extending over the second cylinder and the third cylinder in the cylinder row direction. Yes. Note that lubricating oil is returned to the oil pan below the crankcase on both sides of the frame-shaped bank portion 11 in the cylinder row direction, that is, between the first and second cylinders and between the third and fourth cylinders. The oil return passage 15 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction, and the both-side dam portions 11 b and 11 c of the frame-like ridge portion 11 are connected to the passage wall of the oil return passage 15.
[0025]
Two blow-by gas inlets 16 for communicating the inner space 12 and the crankcase 7 are provided in the partition wall positioned between the inner space 12 and the crankcase 7 in the lower portion of the frame-shaped bank portion 11. Is provided.
[0026]
Further, the inner bank portion 13 extends in the cylinder row direction so as to partition the inner space 12 into a lower space 12a that communicates with the blow-by gas inlet 16 and an upper space 12b that communicates with the blow-by gas outlet 26 described later. Is connected to both side bank portions 11 b and 11 c of the frame-shaped bank portion 11. The inner bank portion 13 is inclined (inclined in the upper right in FIG. 2) so that one end side is higher than the other end side when viewed from the outside.
[0027]
The protruding height of the inner bank portion 13 is substantially the same as that of the frame-shaped bank portion 11, that is, the protruding end surface of the inner bank portion 13 is substantially flush with the protruding end surface of the frame-shaped bank portion 11.
[0028]
The position of the inner bank portion 13 in the vertical direction is lower than the bottom portion of the water jacket 6. In the illustrated example, a main oil gallery 17 for supplying lubricating oil to various parts of the engine is provided at the lower portion of the side wall of the cylinder block 2, and the inner ridge portion 13 is provided between the main oil gallery 17 and the water jacket 6. Is provided. Thus, by providing the inner bank portion 13 at a position closer to the lower side in the frame-shaped bank portion 11, the projected area in the frame of the upper space 12b is set larger than the projected area in the frame of the lower space 12a. Yes. A vertical oil gallery 18 communicates with the main oil gallery 17.
[0029]
A cover member 20 that covers the inner space 12 is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion 11. The cover member 20 has a cover-side bank portion that is abutted against the frame-shaped bank portion 11 and the inner bank portion 13. That is, the cover-side frame-shaped bank portion 22 facing the frame-shaped bank portion 11 around the cover main body 21 (upper side, both sides, and the lower side) made of a curved wall plate having an outer shape corresponding to the frame-shaped bank portion 11. And a cover side inner bank portion 23 facing the inner bank portion 13 is provided in the inner portion, and the projecting end surfaces of the cover side frame bank portion 22 and the cover side inner bank portion 23 are substantially the same. It is the same.
[0030]
The cover side inward levee portion 23 is inclined leftward in FIG. 5 as viewed from the back so as to correspond to the inclination of the inner ridge portion 13, and the lowest side of the cover side inner levee portion 23 (FIG. 5). In the right end side), a cutout portion 24 for circulating blow-by gas is provided.
[0031]
Further, a baffle plate 25 is provided at a position below the cover-side inner bank portion 23, and the baffle plate 25 protrudes from the cover body 21 with a larger protruding amount than the bank portion 23. One end side of the baffle plate 25 is inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the cover-side inner bank portion 23. A blow-by gas outlet 26 provided with a PCV valve is provided on the upper side of the cover-side frame-like bank portion 22.
[0032]
Bolt insertion holes 27 are provided at a predetermined number of locations on the cover-side frame-like bank portion 22, and screw holes 28 are provided at a predetermined number of locations on the frame-like bank portion 11 on the side wall of the cylinder block. At these locations, the cover-side frame-like bank portion 22 is fastened to the frame-like bank portion 11 with bolts.
[0033]
Then, in a state where the cover member 20 is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion 11 on the cylinder block side wall, the cover-side frame-shaped bank portion 22 faces the frame-shaped bank portion 11 to form a separator chamber. In the room, the inner bank portion 13 and the cover-side inner bank portion 23 are opposed to each other at a position closer to the lower side than the intermediate position in the vertical direction, and the baffle plate 25 is located further below the separator inner wall surface (wall surface of the cylinder bore outer periphery). A gap is formed between the tip of the baffle plate 25 and the wall surface so as to circulate the blow-by gas.
[0034]
A blow-by gas distribution hose 30 is connected between the blow-by gas outlet 26 and the intake manifold 4 (see FIG. 1).
[0035]
According to the structure of the present embodiment as described above, the oil in the blow-by gas is favorably separated as follows.
[0036]
The blow-by gas that has flowed into the separator chamber from the crankcase 7 through the blow-by gas inlet 16 is first changed in the flow direction by the baffle plate 25 in the lower space 12a while forming a gap between the baffle plate 25 and the separator chamber wall surface. In the meantime, oil mist in the blow-by gas is separated and removed to some extent.
[0037]
The blow-by gas then enters the upper space 12b through the notch 24 provided in the cover-side inner bank portion 23, and the oil mist that could not be separated in the lower space 12a while staying in the upper space 12b. Is sufficiently separated and removed.
[0038]
In this case, the inner bank portion 13 on the side wall of the cylinder block and the cover-side inner bank portion 23 are abutted with each other, and a cutout portion 24 for blow-by gas distribution is provided only in a part of the cover-side inner bank portion 23. Therefore, the blow-by gas that has passed through the baffle plate 25 is prevented from flowing to the blow-by gas outlet 26 in a short circuit. In particular, if the notch 24 and the blow-by gas outlet 26 are provided at ends opposite to each other in the cylinder row direction, the effect of preventing a short-circuit flow of blow-by gas to the blow-by gas outlet 26 is enhanced. It is done. And since the volume of the upper space 12b is large compared with the lower space 12a, the residence time of blow-by gas in the upper space 12b becomes long, and oil mist is fully isolate | separated in the meantime.
[0039]
Thus, in addition to oil separation by the baffle plate 25, the oil is sufficiently separated in the upper space 12b, and the oil separation performance is improved. The oil separated in the upper space 12b flows along the inclination of the inner bank portion 13 and the cover side inner bank portion 23, drops from the cutout portion 24 to the lower space 12a, and further from the blow-by outlet port 16. Discharged. The oil separated by the baffle plate 25 flows along the inclination of the baffle plate 25, drops from the bottom of the baffle plate 25, and is discharged from the blow-by outlet 16.
[0040]
Moreover, according to the structure of this embodiment, the effect | action which reinforces the cylinder block 2 and improves rigidity is also acquired.
[0041]
That is, in a multi-cylinder engine such as an in-line four-cylinder engine, the rigidity of the intermediate portion is likely to be lower than both ends in the cylinder row direction. 11 and the inner bank part 13 are connected to the cylinder block side wall in a protruding state to reinforce this part. In particular, the upper, both sides, and the lower bank parts 11a to 11d are connected to each other and extend in the cylinder row direction. Since both ends of the bank portion 13 are connected to the both side bank portions 11b and 11c, the reinforcing effect is high, and the rigidity of the cylinder block side wall is sufficiently enhanced at the intermediate portion in the cylinder row direction.
[0042]
Further, since the oil return passage 15 is formed between the first and second cylinders and between the third and fourth cylinders, the rigidity of these portions is increased, and the second and third cylinders are straddled between them. Since the range is reinforced by the frame-shaped bank portion 11 and the inner bank portion 13, the entire cylinder block 2 is effectively reinforced. Therefore, sufficient rigidity is ensured even with the cylinder block 2 made of aluminum alloy.
[0043]
The number of cylinders of the engine body, the arrangement of the engine body and the intake manifold, etc. are not limited to the above embodiment, and may be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a frame-shaped bank portion on the side wall of the cylinder block, and the inside of the cylinder row so that the protruding height is substantially the same as that of the frame-shaped bank portion and the inner space is partitioned. An inner bank part extending in the direction and having both ends connected to the frame-shaped bank part is provided, and the cover member is provided with a cover-side bank part facing the above-mentioned frame-shaped bank part and the inner bank part and facing these projecting end faces. Since the cut-out part for the blow-by gas distribution is provided in the cover side bank part of the part facing the inner bank part, it is partitioned by the inner bank part and the cover side bank part facing it. The oil separation performance can be effectively improved by separating the oil from the probe gas in the open space, and the cylinder block side wall is reinforced by the frame-shaped bank part and the inner bank part, and the rigidity of the cylinder block side wall is increased. Can increase etc. Achieve the results.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view of a cylinder block provided with an oil separator structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the cylinder block with a cover member removed.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 with a cover member removed.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2 with the cover member removed.
FIG. 5 is a view of the cover member as viewed from the back side.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine body 2 Cylinder block 5 Cylinder bore 6 Water jacket 10 Oil separator 11 Frame-like bank part 12 Inner space 12a Lower space 12b Upper space 13 Inner bank part 16 Blow-by gas inlet 20 Cover members 22, 23 Cover side bank part 24 Notch 25 Baffle plate 26 Blow-by gas outlet

Claims (4)

The cylinder block side wall is provided with a frame-shaped bank portion protruding outward, and a cover member that covers the inner space surrounded by the frame-shaped bank portion is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion to constitute a separator chamber. An oil separator structure in which a blow-by gas introduction port and a blow-by gas lead-out port leading to the separator chamber are provided, and the cover member is provided with a baffle plate protruding into an inner space of the frame-shaped bank portion,
A blow-by gas inlet at the lower part of the separator chamber and a blow-by gas outlet at the upper part,
On the inner side of the frame-like bank portion, on the side wall of the cylinder block, the protruding height is substantially the same as that of the frame-like bank portion, and the lower space that leads the separator chamber to the blow-by gas inlet and the upper side that leads to the blow-by gas outlet An inner bank part extending in the cylinder row direction and connected to the frame-shaped bank part at both ends is provided so as to be partitioned into a space, and the inner bank is positioned lower than the bottom of the water jacket formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder bore. And setting the projected area in the frame of the upper space larger than the projected area in the frame of the lower space ,
A cover-side bank portion that is opposed to the inner bank portion and the frame-shaped bank portion is provided on the cover member so as to face the projecting end surface, and a cover-side bank portion that faces the inner bank portion is provided. And an oil separator structure for an engine, characterized in that a notch for circulating blow-by gas is provided. The baffle plate projecting into the lower space, and the oil separator structure according to claim 1, wherein the engine cylinder row direction one end, characterized in that the formation of the baffle plate so as to be inclined upward. The notch portion is provided on one end side in the cylinder row direction in the cover side bank portion facing the inner ridge portion, and the blow-by gas outlet is provided in the upper portion of the separator chamber on the other end side in the cylinder row direction. 3. The oil separator structure for an engine according to claim 2, wherein The cylinder block side wall is provided with a frame-shaped bank portion protruding outward, and a cover member that covers the inner space surrounded by the frame-shaped bank portion is fixed to the frame-shaped bank portion to constitute a separator chamber. An oil separator structure in which a blow-by gas introduction port and a blow-by gas lead-out port leading to the separator chamber are provided, and the cover member is provided with a baffle plate protruding into an inner space of the frame-shaped bank portion,
The upper bank portion and the lower bank portion of the frame-shaped bank portion extend in the cylinder row direction in a range that spans at least two adjacent cylinders, and the upper bank portion is an outer side of the water jacket formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder bore. Located at the height corresponding to the upper end of the crankcase on the lower end side of the cylinder block ,
The projecting height on the side wall of the cylinder block in the inside of the frame-like bank portion is substantially the same as that of the frame-like bank portion, so that the inner space is divided into a blow-by gas introduction side and a blow-by gas outlet side. In addition to providing an inner bank part extending in the cylinder row direction and having both ends connected to the frame-shaped bank part,
A cover-side bank portion that is opposed to the inner bank portion and the frame-shaped bank portion is provided on the cover member so as to face the projecting end surface, and a cover-side bank portion that faces the inner bank portion is provided. And an oil separator structure for an engine, characterized in that a notch for circulating blow-by gas is provided .

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