JP4453062B2 - Lubricating device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lubrication device for lubricating an output shaft of an electric motor via a power transmission device to a crankshaft and lubricating the power transmission device in an internal combustion engine configured to be crankable by the electric motor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In automobiles, as a means to improve fuel economy (fuel consumption rate) in recent years due to environmental problems, etc., a start / stop system, that is, a means to reduce fuel consumption by stopping engine idling under certain conditions when the vehicle is stopped. Has been proposed.
In such a start / stop system, the vehicle is started / stopped by computer control, but at the time of the start, the starter (starting motor) noise and the start delay of the vehicle occur without regard to the driver's will. It often gives a sense of incongruity.
[0003]
As a means for solving such a problem, a means is proposed in which a one-way clutch or a centrifugal clutch is interposed in the power transmission device between the electric motor and the crankshaft of the engine so that the gears of the power transmission device are always meshed. Has been. In such means, since the motor side is always connected to the engine side, there is no generation of hitting sound due to the meshing of the pinion on the motor side and the ring gear on the engine side, and there is no occurrence of the start delay of the vehicle as described above. . Moreover, since it is always meshing | engagement, since the precision of a gearwheel is raised, the noise by meshing is also reduced.
[0004]
In recent years, in automobiles, a hybrid system in which an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are combined to obtain an output and the electric motor is used as a starter is being adopted. Even in such a hybrid system, since the motor side is always connected to the engine side, there is no occurrence of noise and start delay as described above.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The start / stop system using the one-way clutch normally has a structure in which the one-way clutch is incorporated in a flywheel, and the one-way clutch is lubricated by grease oil enclosed therein. For this reason, due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the device,
Grease oil moves to the outer ring side, and lubrication on the inner ring side is insufficient, which may cause seizure of the clutch.
[0006]
Further, in the system using such a one-way clutch, since the one-way clutch is built in the flywheel as described above, if the clutch facing surface generates heat in a so-called half-clutch state, this heat is transferred to the one-way clutch unit. As a result, the grease oil for lubrication deteriorates and the one-way clutch seizes due to poor lubrication. Similar problems also occur when a centrifugal clutch is used.
[0007]
In the hybrid system, since the lubrication of the gear transmission that connects the electric motor and the engine is usually provided with an independent lubrication system, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated and the apparatus cost increases. .
[0008]
In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention uses an independent lubricating device for lubricating the power transmission device in an internal combustion engine in which an output shaft of an electric motor is connected to a crankshaft via a power transmission device. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent poor lubrication and the accompanying seizure of components and the generation of noise by using a simple and low-cost apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Since the present invention is to solve the above problems, according as the invention of claim 1, wherein, via a power transmission device arranged between the cylinder block of the flywheel and the internal combustion engine attached to the end of the crankshaft, the crankshaft In the internal combustion engine configured to connect the output shaft of the motor to the crankshaft and to be cranked by the motor, the rotating member of the power transmission device is arranged at the shaft end of the crankshaft, and the outer peripheral lower end of the rotating member is The oil pan is mounted so that it is above the oil level, and a cover member for storing the rotating member is provided between the flywheel and the cylinder block, and the outer periphery of the rotating member is located inside the cover member. space facing formed, is introduced configured to enable the lubricating oil from the lubricating system path of the engine in the space, communicating the inside bottom and the oil pan of the space That oil return provided a passage, further, the internal combustion engine, characterized in that communicates the interior of the upper and the cover member from the oil surface of the inner oil pan provided Breeze hole for performing air vent in the cover member Proposed lubrication system.
[0010]
According to this invention, the lubricating oil fed from the engine lubrication system path is stored in the space formed inside the cover member, and is atomized by the rotation of the rotating member that constitutes the power transmission device. The required part in the power transmission device is lubricated by being scattered.
The lubricating oil that has been lubricated is stored in the space and then returned to the oil pan through the oil return passage.
[0011]
Therefore, according to this invention, since the required part of the power transmission device is lubricated using the lubricating oil flowing through the engine lubrication system path, it is possible to use simple and low-cost means without providing a special lubrication mechanism. The power transmission device can be lubricated, and the lubricating oil from the lubrication system of the engine is guided to the space and the required part of the power transmission device is lubricated by the rotation of the rotating member of the power transmission device. This part can be reliably lubricated.
[0012]
According to this invention, the rotating member of the power transmission device is attached so that the lower end of the outer periphery thereof is above the oil level in the oil pan, and the oil return passage that communicates the space with the inside of the oil pan. Therefore, the lubricating oil in the space does not become the rotational resistance of the rotating member, and the generation of power loss due to the rotational resistance is avoided.
Further, the space prevents the oil from interfering with the rotating member due to the oil level movement in the oil pan accompanying the longitudinal or lateral acceleration or inclination of the vehicle, thereby preventing the occurrence of power loss due to the rotational resistance.
Further, since the pressure in the oil sump space due to the rotation of each gear constituting the power transmission device is released into the oil pan through the breathe hole, no excessive pressure rise occurs in the oil sump space. .
[0013]
According to the invention, when applied to an engine provided with a one-way clutch in a power transmission device, a small amount of lubricating oil stored in the space is atomized by the rotation of the rotating member, and the one-way clutch is lubricated. Therefore, the required lubricating oil is always supplied to the one-way clutch during operation of the engine, so that sufficient lubrication is achieved and the one-way clutch is not overheated by heat from the clutch side, and lubrication is performed. One-way clutch wear and seizure can be prevented due to oil shortage and overheating.
[0014]
In addition, torque can be transmitted in both directions, and wear and seizure can be prevented even in a centrifugal clutch or the like in which the clutch works depending on the rotational speed.
Further, when the power transmission device between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine is configured with a gear train, the gears of the gear train are always meshed with each other, so that meshing accuracy is improved, for example, backlash reduction or meshing rate is reduced. Further, as described above, since a sufficient amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the meshing portion of the gear, vibration and noise due to the meshing of the gear can be avoided.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention , an oil passage that supplies lubricating oil to the rotating member from the main gallery of the engine through the oil hole of the crankshaft is provided.
[0016]
According to this invention, since the lubricating oil is supplied to the rotating member from the main gallery of the engine through the oil hole of the crankshaft , a special lubricating oil supply source and supply system are not required, and the lubricating system is provided. In addition to the introduction of lubricating oil from the main gallery, a sufficient amount of lubricating oil can be supplied to each lubricating part at all times, and the durability of power transmission device components such as gears and one-way clutches can be reduced. improves.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to specific examples unless otherwise specified. Only.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along a crankshaft axis in the vicinity of a starter ring gear of an internal combustion engine for an automobile according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view taken along arrow AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
[0019]
1-3, 5 is a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine), 7 is a crankshaft, 6 is a main bearing, and 8 is an oil pan. An oil hole 12 is drilled in the end of the crankshaft 7 to supply lubricating oil to the main bearing 6 and is open to the bearing surface of the main bearing 6.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a starter ring gear, 3 denotes a flywheel, and the flywheel 3 and the boss portion 1a of the ring gear 1 are fixed to the shaft end surface of the crankshaft 7 by a plurality of bolts 11 together. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer diameter of the ring gear 1 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flywheel 3. A sub gear 2 is fixed to the side surface of the ring gear 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a torque spring attached to the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2.
[0020]
9 is a gear case, 13 is a transmission case, and the gear case 9 is fastened and fixed to the cylinder block 5 together with the transmission case 13 by a bolt 112, and a part of the transmission case 13 is also fixed by a bolt 25. Further, the inner peripheral side is fastened and fixed to the cylinder block 5 with bolts 25.
Reference numeral 111 denotes a gear cover, and an outer periphery thereof is fixed to the gear case by a plurality of bolts 26. An oil sump space 23 is formed by the inside of the gear cover 111 and the gear case 9, and the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 are accommodated in the oil sump space 23, so that the outer periphery thereof faces.
[0021]
Between the crankshaft 7 and the cylinder block 5, an oil introduction gap 29 communicating with the upper part of the oil sump space 23 is formed. In addition to the gap 29, a small-diameter oil hole 20 that communicates between the oil hole 12 of the crankshaft 7 and the oil sump space 23 is provided, and a part of the lubricating oil in the oil hole 12 is The oil sump space 23 may be introduced through the oil hole 20. An oil return hole 21 is drilled in the gear case 9 and communicates the lower part of the oil sump space 23 and the oil pan 8. The engine height direction position of the oil return hole 21 is set such that the outer circumferences of the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 are slightly above the oil level 24 in the oil pan 8.
[0022]
A breather hole 22 communicates the upper part of the oil pan 8 and the oil sump space 23 to release air from the oil sump space 23. Reference numeral 14 denotes an O-ring interposed between the boss 1 a of the ring gear 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the crankshaft 7. An oil seal 4 is attached to the gear cover 111 and seals the oil sump space 23 from the outside.
[0023]
2 and 3, reference numeral 18 denotes an electric motor, which is fixed to the gear case 9 with a plurality of bolts 27. Reference numeral 17 denotes a pinion gear fixed to the motor shaft 19 of the electric motor 18, and 16 denotes an intermediate gear rotatably supported at both ends by the gear case 9 and the gear cover 111. As shown in FIG. The gear 16 and the ring gear 1 are always meshed, and the power of the electric motor 18 is transmitted to the flywheel 3 and a transmission (not shown) through the pinion gear 17, the intermediate gear 16, and the ring gear 1. . Reference numeral 34 denotes an O-ring interposed between the electric motor 18 and the gear case 9.
[0024]
During the operation of the internal combustion engine having the lubricating device having such a configuration, after lubricating the main bearing 6, the oil is supplied to the oil sump space 23 through the gap 29 or from the oil hole 12 of the crankshaft 7 to the oil hole 20. The lubricating oil supplied to the oil sump space 23 through the mist is atomized by the rotation of the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 constituting the power transmission device and scattered in the oil sump space 23, so that they are always meshed with each other. Required parts of the power transmission device such as the meshing parts of the pinion gear 17, the intermediate gear 16, and the ring gear 1 are lubricated.
[0025]
The lubricating oil after performing the lubricating action as described above is stored in the bottom of the oil sump space 23 and then returned to the oil pan 8 through the oil return hole 21. Further, since the pressure in the oil sump space 23 due to the rotation of each gear constituting the power transmission device is released into the oil pan 8 through the breathe hole 22, an excessive pressure rise in the oil sump space 23. There is no occurrence.
Further, if it is set so that a certain amount of lubricating oil is accumulated in the bottom of the oil sump space, the lubricating oil can be supplied by lifting the gear.
[0026]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the engine lubricating part such as the main bearing 6 is lubricated and the required parts of the power transmission device such as the gear meshing parts are lubricated, a special lubrication mechanism is provided. The power transmission device can be lubricated with a simple and low-cost device without being provided.
Also, the lubricating oil from the engine is guided to the oil sump space 23, and the required parts of the power transmission device are lubricated by the rotation of the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 of the power transmission device, so the lubricating oil is reliably supplied to the required parts. can do.
[0027]
Further, according to this embodiment, the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 constituting the power transmission device are attached such that the lower end of the outer periphery thereof is above the oil level 24 in the oil pan 8 and the oil sump space 23 is attached. Since the oil return hole 21 that communicates with the inside of the oil pan 8 is provided, the lubricating oil in the oil sump space 23 does not become the rotational resistance of the rotating ring gear 1 and sub gear 2, and the rotational resistance is reduced. The accompanying power loss is avoided.
[0028]
Further, since the gears of the gear train such as the ring gear 1, the intermediate gear 16, and the pinion gear 17 constituting the power transmission device are always meshed as described above, the meshing accuracy is improved, and as described above, each gear 1 , 16 and 17 are supplied with a sufficient amount of lubricating oil, so that generation of vibration and noise due to meshing of gears is avoided.
The same effect can be obtained by providing the partition wall 40 at the end of the oil pan 8 as shown in FIG. 5 showing a modification of the first embodiment.
[0029]
In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, a one-way clutch 030 is provided inside the ring gear 1 and the sub gear 2 is removed.
That is, in FIG. 4, 030 is a one-way clutch whose input side is connected to the ring gear 1 and whose output side is connected to a boss portion 1a fixed to the crankshaft 7, from the ring gear 1 side to the crankshaft 7 Only transmission of rotation to the side is possible.
[0030]
A bearing 32 is interposed between the inner periphery of the ring gear 1 and the outer periphery of the boss 1a, and supports the input side and the output side of the one-way clutch 030 so as to be relatively rotatable.
31 is an oil hole provided through the crankshaft 7 and the inside of the boss 1a. The oil hole 12 in the crankshaft 7 and the one-way clutch 030 communicate with each other. A part of the oil is supplied to the one-way clutch 030 through the oil hole 31.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0031]
In this embodiment, in the one-way clutch 030, the lubricating oil supplied to the oil sump space 23 is atomized by the rotation of the ring gear 1 and lubricates the one-way clutch 030. A part of the lubricating oil in the oil 12 is supplied through the oil hole 31.
As a result, during operation of the engine, the one-way clutch 030 is always supplied with the required lubricating oil from the two routes, as described above, thereby preventing the one-way clutch from being worn or seized due to lack of lubricating oil. it can.
In addition, since a sufficient amount of lubricating oil is supplied, it is possible to avoid overheating of the one-way clutch 030 due to heat from the clutch side.
[0032]
In the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, 50 is the main gallery of the engine, 51 is an oil hole having a smaller diameter than the main gallery drilled in the gear cover 111, and from the end of the main gallery 50. It opens toward the gear meshing portion including the meshing portion between the ring gear 1 and the intermediate gear 16 in the oil sump space 23. An O-ring 54 seals the opening on the gear cover 111 side of the main gallery 50.
An oil hole 52 having a diameter smaller than that of the main gallery branched from the main gallery 50 is connected to the oil hole 12 in the crankshaft 7 through an oil hole 53 formed in the main bearing 6. Yes.
[0033]
In the third embodiment, the lubricating oil branched from the main gallery 50 and introduced into the oil hole 51 is meshed with the gear including the meshing part of the ring gear and the intermediate gear in the oil sump space 23 from the oil hole 51. After spraying toward the part and lubricating the meshing part, it falls to the bottom part in the oil sump space 23.
On the other hand, the lubricating oil branched from the main gallery 50 and introduced into the oil hole 52 enters the oil hole 12 in the crankshaft 7 through the oil hole 53 drilled in the main bearing 6. As in the second embodiment, a part of the lubricating oil in the oil hole 12 is supplied to the one-way clutch 030 side through the oil hole 31 branched from the oil hole 12.
Note that either an oil supply system through the oil hole 51 in the gear cover 111 or an oil supply system to the oil hole 12 in the crankshaft 7 may be provided.
[0034]
According to such an embodiment, the lubricating oil is directly supplied from the main gallery 50 of the engine through the oil hole 51 to the meshing portion of the gear, the rotating member such as the one-way clutch 030, or the oil hole 52 and the crankshaft from the main gallery 50. Since the lubricating oil is supplied to the rotating member including the one-way clutch 030 through the oil hole 12 and the oil hole 31, the required lubrication is performed without requiring a special lubricating oil supply source and supply system. Can do.
In addition, since lubricating oil is introduced from the main gallery 50 to power transmission device components such as gears and one-way clutches, a sufficient amount of lubricating oil can always be supplied to the lubricating portions of the power transmission device components. The durability of the power transmission device constituting member is improved.
The other structure is the same as that of the said 2nd Example, and the same member is shown with the same code | symbol.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a centrifugal clutch may be applied instead of the one-way clutch of each of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the required part of the power transmission device is lubricated using the lubricating oil flowing through the engine lubrication system path, so that a simple and low-cost means can be used without providing a special lubrication mechanism. The power transmission device can be lubricated, and the lubricating oil flowing through the lubrication system path of the engine is guided to the space where the outer periphery of the rotation member of the power transmission device faces, and the power transmission is performed by the rotation of the rotation member of the power transmission device. Since the required portion of the device is lubricated, the required portion can be reliably lubricated, and the power transmission device constituent member can be prevented from being worn or seized due to insufficient lubricating oil.
[0036]
Further, according to the present invention, the rotating member of the power transmission device is attached so that the lower end of the outer periphery thereof is above the oil level in the oil pan, and the oil return passage that communicates the space with the inside of the oil pan. Therefore, the lubricating oil in the space does not become the rotational resistance of the rotating member, and the power loss associated with the rotational resistance can be reduced.
Further, since the pressure in the oil sump space due to the rotation of each gear constituting the power transmission device is released into the oil pan through the breathe hole, no excessive pressure rise occurs in the oil sump space. .
[0037]
According to the present invention, when applied to an engine provided with a clutch in the power transmission device, the lubricating oil is atomized by the rotation of the rotating member and lubricates the clutch. The required lubrication oil is always supplied to the engine, so that sufficient lubrication is achieved and the clutch is not overheated by heat from the clutch side. Occurrence can be prevented.
[0038]
Further, when the power transmission device between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine is configured with a gear train, the gears of the gear train are always meshed, so that the meshing accuracy is improved, and as described above, Since a sufficient amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the meshing portion, generation of vibration and noise due to meshing of the gears can be avoided.
[0039]
Further, according to the second aspect, since the lubricating oil is supplied from the main gallery of the engine to the rotating member through the oil hole of the crankshaft , a special lubricating oil supply source and supply system are provided. This is not necessary and the cost of the lubrication system can be reduced.
Further, since the lubricating oil is introduced from the main gallery, a sufficient amount of lubricating oil can be supplied to each lubricating portion at all times, and the durability of the power transmission device constituting member is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view along a crankshaft center in the vicinity of a starter ring gear of an internal combustion engine for an automobile according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ring gear 1a Boss part 3 Flywheel 4 Oil seal 5 Cylinder block 6 Main bearing 7 Crankshaft 8 Oil pan 9 Gear case 111 Gear cover 12, 20, 31, 31, 51, 52, 53 Oil hole 13 Mission cases 14, 34, 54 O-ring 16 Intermediate gear 17 Pinion gear 18 Electric motor 21 Oil return hole 22 Breeze hole 23 Oil reservoir space 24 Oil level 030 One-way clutch 32 Bearing

Claims (2)

An output shaft of an electric motor is connected to the crankshaft via a power transmission device arranged between a flywheel attached to the end of the crankshaft and a cylinder block of the internal combustion engine, and can be cranked by the electric motor. In internal combustion engines
The rotating member of the power transmission device is attached to the shaft end of the crankshaft so that the lower end of the outer periphery of the rotating member is above the oil level in the oil pan of the internal combustion engine, and the rotating member is accommodated. A cover member is provided between the flywheel and the cylinder block, a space is formed inside the cover member so that the outer periphery of the rotating member faces, and lubricating oil from the lubrication system path of the engine can be introduced into the space. And an oil return passage that communicates the lower part of the space with the inside of the oil pan, and further communicates the upper part from the oil level in the oil pan with the inside of the cover member. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a breathing hole for venting air is provided . 2. The lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, further comprising an oil passage for supplying lubricating oil to the rotating member from an oil hole of the crankshaft from a main gallery of the engine.

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