JP4186302B2 - Oil control valve cooling structure for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an oil control valve cooling structure for an internal combustion engine, and in particular, an oil control valve is disposed on the side of the timing chain cover adjacent to a heat shield and above an oil filter so that the degree of freedom in mounting engine accessories is increased. The present invention relates to a cooling structure for an oil control valve of an internal combustion engine that facilitates a design layout.
In addition, an oil cooler can be installed upstream of the oil control valve in the hydraulic oil path of the variable valve timing mechanism to cool the hydraulic oil (or adjust the temperature) with the oil cooler. The present invention relates to an oil control valve cooling structure for an internal combustion engine that can prevent the generation of bubbles and stabilize the hydraulic pressure and improve the controllability of the variable valve timing mechanism at high oil temperature.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some internal combustion engines are equipped with a variable valve timing mechanism (also referred to as “VVT”). The variable valve timing mechanism has an oil control valve (also referred to as “OCV”) that electrically controls the hydraulic oil while using the lubricating oil pressure of the internal combustion engine as the hydraulic oil.
[0003]
An oil control valve cooling structure for the internal combustion engine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-141036. The lubrication hydraulic circuit of the internal combustion engine disclosed in this publication is an internal combustion engine having a variable valve timing mechanism controlled by hydraulic pressure, and includes a hydraulic passage to a lubrication required portion of the internal combustion engine and a hydraulic passage to a variable valve timing mechanism. Is provided with a control valve for controlling the distribution of the oil amount to the internal combustion engine and the oil amount to the variable valve timing mechanism. The control valve supplies oil to the variable valve timing mechanism when the variable valve timing mechanism is operated. This is a valve that controls the amount of oil so that priority is given, and a high oil pressure is sent to the variable valve timing mechanism while ensuring the amount of lubricating oil required for lubrication required parts such as bearings and valve systems.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the internal combustion engine which shows a prior art has a cylinder block, the cylinder head with which the upper surface of a cylinder block is mounted | worn, the cylinder head cover which covers the upper part of a cylinder head, and the oil pan with which the lower part of the said cylinder block is mounted | worn. .
[0005]
A camshaft extending in the longitudinal direction is disposed above the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine.
[0006]
At this time, an actuator of a variable valve timing mechanism (also referred to as “VVT”) is disposed at the end of the camshaft, and a timing chain for transmitting the rotational force from the crankshaft is disposed at the end of the camshaft. Has been established.
[0007]
Further, an oil control valve (also referred to as “OCV”) for controlling the hydraulic oil of the valve timing variable mechanism is generally disposed in the vicinity of the drive line of the camshaft.
[0008]
When the oil control valve is disclosed, the oil control valve is generally disposed at a place where the internal parts can be cooled while examining the mounting position because the heat resistant temperature of the internal parts is low.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 15, the oil control valve 142 includes a motor drive part 142 a, a motor drive coupler 142 b, and an oil distribution rotor part 142 c, and is covered with an oil control valve casing 144.
[0010]
At this time, the mounting position of the oil control valve is limited due to the downsizing of the vehicle and the complication of the configuration of the internal combustion engine. If the oil control valve is designed to be mounted at the limited mounting position, the internal parts The heat resistance temperature of the oil cannot be satisfied, and improvement of the oil control valve is eagerly desired.
[0011]
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the oil control valve 142 for controlling the hydraulic oil of the variable valve timing mechanism is disposed on the side of the internal combustion engine 102, that is, on the right side of the vehicle, where the timing chain cover 122 is attached. It is arranged in the middle of a hydraulic oil path that connects an actuator (not shown) of the timing variable mechanism and an oil pump (not shown).
[0012]
However, when the oil temperature rises, the oil control valve has a disadvantage that the sealing performance may deteriorate due to the internal oil seal heat resistance temperature.
[0013]
Further, the controllability of the variable valve timing mechanism is greatly influenced not only by the hydraulic pressure in the actuator but also by the oil temperature. Especially when the oil temperature rises to about 120 degrees or more, the viscosity of the oil is lost. There is a disadvantage that leakage of the vane chamber in the actuator becomes large, and the response of the actuator and the holding force of the target angle of the camshaft may be impaired.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in order to eliminate the above-described disadvantages, the present invention is provided with a variable valve timing mechanism that operates by operating pressure of this hydraulic oil using lubricating oil as hydraulic oil at the end of the camshaft, and drives the camshaft. Cover the timing chain with the timing chain cover, dispose a heat shield that covers the outside part of the exhaust manifold, dispose an oil filter that filters the working oil, form a working oil path in the cylinder block, and remove the working oil. An oil control valve cooling structure for an internal combustion engine in which an oil control valve to be controlled is disposed in the hydraulic oil path and mounted in a vehicle in a horizontally placed state, and the oil filter and the oil are arranged as the exhaust manifold is directed downward of the internal combustion engine. converges in a direction away from the control valve, under the engine the contour of the shielding hot plate Covering the exhaust manifold is converged toward the end portion of the outer Guo shape is formed by bending the internal combustion engine side, substantially disposed below said and oil control valve of the oil filter at the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine The oil control valve is disposed adjacent to the convergence start side of the portion where the oil control valve is converged toward the lower side of the heat shield plate, above the convergence portion of the exhaust manifold and closer to the timing chain cover. Features.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
By inventing as described above, the outer shape of the heat shield plate is converged toward the lower side of the internal combustion engine to cover the exhaust manifold, and the oil filter is converged toward the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine and downward. On the other hand, when the oil control valve is disposed below the outer shell, the oil control valve is disposed on the side of the timing chain cover adjacent to the heat shield and above the oil filter. The design layout is made easy by increasing the degree of freedom of mounting, and the production assembly is improved.
[0016]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 1-3, 2 is an internal combustion engine.
[0018]
The internal combustion engine 2 includes a cylinder block 4, a cylinder head 6 mounted on the upper surface of the cylinder block 4, a cylinder head cover 8 covering the upper part of the cylinder head 6, and an oil pan 10 mounted on the lower part of the cylinder block 4. And have.
[0019]
A camshaft 12 extending in the longitudinal direction is disposed above the cylinder head 6 of the internal combustion engine 2 (see FIG. 3), and an intake manifold (not shown) communicating with a combustion chamber (not shown) of the internal combustion engine 2 is disposed. And an exhaust manifold 14 is disposed.
[0020]
At this time, the internal combustion engine 2 is mounted horizontally on a vehicle (not shown), and the exhaust side to which the exhaust manifold 14 is attached is directed toward the front of the vehicle. That is, FIG. 1 is a front view of the internal combustion engine 2 as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and FIG.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an actuator 18 of a variable valve timing mechanism (also referred to as “VVT”) 16 is disposed at the end of the camshaft 12, and a crank (not shown) is provided at the end of the camshaft 12. A timing chain 20 for transmitting the rotational force from the shaft is disposed, and one side of the internal combustion engine 2, that is, the left side in FIG.
[0022]
The variable valve timing mechanism 16 uses the lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine 2 as hydraulic oil, and changes the valve timing according to the operating pressure.
[0023]
The outer portion of the exhaust manifold 14 is covered with a heat shield 24 as shown in FIGS.
[0024]
At this time, when an oil control valve (also referred to as “OCV”) 26 for controlling the hydraulic oil is provided in the middle of the hydraulic oil path of the variable valve timing mechanism 16, the oil control valve 26 is arranged on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2. It is set as the structure to install.
[0025]
More specifically, on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2 directed toward the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the oil control is located below the mounting portion of the exhaust manifold 14, that is, near the main gallery 30 described later. A valve 26 is provided.
[0026]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a first oil passage 28 is provided to connect the actuator 18 of the variable valve timing mechanism 16 and the oil control valve 26, and the main gallery 30 in the oil control valve 26 and the cylinder block 4 is provided. Is provided, and the first and second oil passages 28 and 32 have a shape with little pressure loss.
[0027]
Reference numeral 34 denotes an oil filter.
[0028]
Next, the operation will be described.
[0029]
When the oil control valve 26 for controlling the hydraulic oil is provided in the middle of the hydraulic oil path of the variable valve timing mechanism 16, the oil control valve 26 is provided on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2, and the oil control valve 26 is the main control valve 26. Located near the gallery 30.
[0030]
At this time, the actuator 18 and the oil control valve 26 of the variable valve timing mechanism 16 are connected to each other by the first oil passage 28, and the oil control valve 26 and the main gallery 30 in the cylinder block 4 are connected to each other by the second oil passage 32. To contact.
[0031]
As a result, the oil control valve 26 can be arranged on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2 to increase the degree of freedom in mounting the engine accessories, which facilitates the design layout and is practically advantageous. Assemblability can be improved.
[0032]
4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, portions having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0033]
A feature of the second embodiment is that a heat radiating fin 46 is provided in the oil control valve casing 44 of the oil control valve 42.
[0034]
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, an oil control valve 42 is disposed on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2, and the oil control valve casing 44 of the oil control valve 42 protrudes outward as shown in FIG. Radiating fins 46 are provided, and the surface area of the oil control valve casing 44 is increased by the radiating fins 46.
[0035]
Then, the surface area of the oil control valve casing 44 of the oil control valve 42 can be increased, the cooling performance of the oil control valve 42 can be improved, and when there is a traveling wind, the internal combustion engine 2 By providing the oil control valve 42 on the exhaust side facing the front of the vehicle, further cooling performance can be expected, and the oil temperature can be stabilized, the fuel consumption can be improved, and the output can be improved. Therefore, it is practically advantageous and economically advantageous.
[0036]
As another improvement in the second embodiment described above, the oil control valve 42A is disposed at the side of the internal combustion engine 2A, that is, the timing chain cover 22A on the right side of the vehicle as shown in FIG. It changes to the attachment part.
[0037]
In other words, since the surface area of the oil control valve 42A is increased at the position where the oil control valve 42A is disposed as in the prior art, heat radiation is improved without direct running wind and the cooling performance is improved. Can contribute.
[0038]
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
This third embodiment is characterized by a first pipe 56 that guides cooling water from the water pump 54 to the oil control valve 52, and a water jacket (not shown) formed in the cylinder block 4 of the internal combustion engine 2 after cooling. The second pipe 58 is configured to communicate with the second pipe 58 for returning the cooling water.
[0040]
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, an oil control valve 52 is disposed on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine 2, and the water pump 54 and the oil control valve 52 are provided in communication with each other through the first pipe 56. The cooling water is guided to the oil control valve 52, and the oil control valve 52 and a water jacket (not shown) formed in the cylinder block 4 are provided in communication with each other by the second pipe 58. After the oil control valve 52 is cooled, the internal combustion engine 2 is cooled. The cooling water is returned to the water jacket formed in the cylinder block 4.
[0041]
In this case, the oil control valve 52 can be cooled substantially uniformly by the first and second pipes 56 and 58, and the cooling effect by the traveling wind can be obtained by arranging the oil control valve 52 on the front side of the engine. It is possible to suppress an increase in oil temperature, which is practically advantageous.
[0042]
Further, as another first improvement plan in the third embodiment described above, the oil control valve 52B-1 is disposed at the side of the internal combustion engine 2B-1, that is, in the right side direction of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. The timing chain cover 22B-1 is changed to the attachment site.
[0043]
The first and second pipes 56B-1 and 58B-1 are provided in communication with the oil control valve 52B-1.
[0044]
In other words, at the position where the oil control valve 52B-1 is disposed as in the prior art, the running air is not directly guided, but the cooling water is circulated through the casing, so the first and second pipes 56B-1, The oil control valve 52B-1 can be cooled substantially uniformly by 58B-1, and an increase in the oil temperature can be suppressed.
[0045]
Furthermore, as another second improvement plan in the third embodiment described above, the arrangement position of the oil control valve 52B-2 is changed in the internal combustion engine 2B-2 having different specifications.
[0046]
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the cylinder block 4B-2 of the internal combustion engine 2B-2, a large number of engine accessories are arranged, and the timing chain cover 22B on the side of the internal combustion engine 2B-2, that is, on the right side of the vehicle. -2 When the installation position of the oil control valve 52B-2 at the attachment site is small, the installation position of the oil control valve 52B-2 is moved upward in the central site.
[0047]
At this time, the cooling water path of the internal combustion engine 2B-2 is, as shown in FIG. 10, the internal combustion engine 2B-2 and the first cooling water passage 62B that connects the internal combustion engine 2B-2 and the radiator 60B-2. -2 and the second cooling water passage 64B-2 connecting the radiator 60B-2 and the water pump 54B-2. In this cooling water path, the first and second pipes 56B-2, 58B -2 circulates a part of the cooling water to the oil control valve 52B-2.
[0048]
Then, even in the internal combustion engine 2B-2 with different specifications, the oil control valve 52B-2 can be cooled substantially uniformly by the first and second pipes 56B-2 and 58B-2, and the oil temperature rises. Can be suppressed.
[0049]
Furthermore, as another third improvement plan in the third embodiment described above, the cooling water path on the internal combustion engine side described in the second improvement plan is not used, an independent cooling water path is formed, and It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the oil control valve is cooled by disposing a type pump.
[0050]
11 to 13 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0051]
The feature of the fourth embodiment is that an oil cooler 74 is disposed upstream of the oil control valve 72 in the hydraulic oil path of the variable valve timing mechanism.
[0052]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the oil control valve 72 is attached to the side of the internal combustion engine 2, that is, the timing chain cover 22 attachment portion in the right side direction of the vehicle. The oil cooler 74 is disposed at the timing chain cover 22 attachment site.
[0053]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the oil pump 76 is disposed in the lower part of the internal combustion engine 2, and hydraulic oil is supplied from the oil pump 76 through the oil cooler 74 to the oil control valve 72 sequentially. Is done.
[0054]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the oil cooler 74 is provided with a thermostat (or even a solenoid valve) 78 on the inflow side, a main passage 74a switched by the thermostat 78 part, and a countermeasure for cold and low temperature. And an oil cooling part 74c composed of a plurality of pipes or the like is provided in the middle of the main passage 74a.
[0055]
In this case, the oil cooler 74 disposed at the upstream side of the oil control valve 72 in the operation oil path of the variable valve timing mechanism can cool the operation oil (or adjust the temperature). It is possible to prevent the generation of bubbles due to temperature rise and to stabilize the hydraulic pressure, and to improve the controllability of the variable valve timing mechanism at high oil temperature, which is practically advantageous.
[0056]
Further, by arranging the oil cooler 74 in the timing chain cover 22, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration, to improve the mounting property, to facilitate the manufacture, and to reduce the cost. It is also economically advantageous.
[0057]
Further, the oil cooler 74 is provided with a thermostat 78 for switching the main passage 74a and the sub passage 74b for measures against cold / low temperature, so that the thermostat 78 can sub By switching to the passage 74b, the oil cooling part 74c of the main passage 74a can be bypassed, unnecessary cooling of the hydraulic oil can be avoided, and oil warm-up can be improved.
[0058]
Furthermore, as another improvement in the fourth embodiment described above, the oil cooler 74 is not directly attached to the timing chain cover 22, and the oil cooler 74C is formed separately as shown in FIG. The oil cooler 74C may be configured to communicate with the oil control valve 72C and the oil pump 76C through the first and second pipes 80C and 82C.
[0059]
The present invention is not limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above, and various application modifications can be made.
[0060]
For example, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a heat shield plate that covers the exhaust manifold is provided, but the oil control valve of the heat shield plate is designed so that the traveling wind from the front of the vehicle is directed toward the oil control valve. It is possible to adopt a special configuration in which the vicinity portion is deformed and the heat shield plate functions also as a traveling wind guide plate.
[0061]
In this case, the traveling wind from the front of the vehicle is guided by the heat shield plate in the direction of the oil control valve, and the oil control valve can be efficiently cooled, which is practically advantageous.
[0062]
Further, in the case of the embodiment in which the oil control valve is disposed at the side of the internal combustion engine, that is, the timing chain cover mounting portion on the right side of the vehicle, the oil control valve drives each engine accessory. It will be disposed between the shaft group end portions for the purpose, and at least one shaft end portion of these shaft groups is provided with a stirring blade, the stirring blade is used to stir the air around the oil control valve, It is also possible to increase the air cooling efficiency.
[0063]
Further, in the present invention, the first to fourth embodiments have been disclosed, but at least two embodiments of the first to fourth embodiments can be combined to provide a new improvement plan.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in mounting engine accessories can be increased, the design layout is facilitated, and it is practically advantageous, and the production assembly can be improved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a left side view of a horizontal internal combustion engine.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a horizontal internal combustion engine.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an oil control valve showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a horizontal internal combustion engine.
FIG. 6 is a left side view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing an improved embodiment of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a left side view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing a first improved embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a left side view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing an improved second embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a cooling path of an internal combustion engine.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a left side view of the horizontal internal combustion engine.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an oil cooler.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a horizontal internal combustion engine showing an improved embodiment of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an oil control valve showing the prior art of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a left side view of a V-type horizontal internal combustion engine showing an arrangement state of an oil control valve.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Internal combustion engine 4 Cylinder block 6 Cylinder head 8 Cylinder head cover 10 Oil pan 12 Camshaft 14 Exhaust manifold 16 Valve timing variable mechanism 18 Actuator 20 Timing chain 22 Timing chain cover 24 Heat shield plate 26 Oil control valve 28 First oil passage 30 Main Gallery 32 Second oil passage 34 Oil filter

Claims (1)

  A variable valve timing mechanism is provided at the end of the camshaft using lubricating oil as the working oil, and is actuated by the working pressure of this working oil. The timing chain that drives the camshaft is covered with a timing chain cover, and the outer part of the exhaust manifold. An oil filter that filters the hydraulic oil is installed, a hydraulic oil path is formed in the cylinder block, and an oil control valve that controls the hydraulic oil is placed in the hydraulic oil path. In the oil control valve cooling structure for an internal combustion engine mounted horizontally in a vehicle, the exhaust manifold is converged in a direction away from the oil filter and the oil control valve toward the lower side of the internal combustion engine, and the heat shield plate The exhaust manifold is made to converge by converging the outer shape toward the lower side of the internal combustion engine. The outer end of the outer shape is bent toward the internal combustion engine, the oil filter is disposed on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine and substantially below the oil control valve, and the oil control valve is An oil control valve cooling system for an internal combustion engine, which is disposed adjacent to a convergence start side of a portion converged toward the lower side of the plate, above the convergence portion of the exhaust manifold and closer to the timing chain cover. Construction.

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