JP4661223B2 - Lubrication device and oil pan device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil pan apparatus capable of storing oil for lubrication of a lubricated mechanism (for example, an engine block or an automatic transmission mechanism), and a lubrication apparatus including the oil pan apparatus.

  In general, a machine with an oil pan (for example, an engine or an automatic transmission) provided with this type of oil pan device and lubrication device is configured such that oil stored in the oil pan device is transferred to the oil pan device by an oil pump. It is configured to be sucked out from an oil suction port of an oil strainer disposed inside and supplied to a member to be lubricated (for example, gear, camshaft, cylinder, piston, etc.) in a lubricated mechanism. In addition, the machine with the oil pan is configured so that the oil supplied to the lubricated member as described above exerts a lubricating action on the lubricated member and absorbs heat such as frictional heat from the lubricated member, By this action, it is configured to return to the oil pan apparatus from the lubricated mechanism.

As a prior art of this type of machine with an oil pan, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is widely known.
JP 2003-222012 A

  In this type of machine with an oil pan, in order to realize a more appropriate operating state such as shortening the warm-up operation time and preventing air suction from the oil strainer, , May be abbreviated as “return oil”) in an oil pan apparatus and a lubrication apparatus.

  For this reason, the oil pan apparatus and the lubrication apparatus of this invention are equipped with the following structures.

(1) This oil pan apparatus is configured to be able to store oil for lubrication of a lubricated mechanism in an inner space. The lubricating device includes the oil pan device, an oil pump for supplying the oil stored in the oil pan device to the lubricated mechanism, and an oil pump disposed in the space and sucked by the oil pump. An oil strainer that constitutes an opening, and a strainer passage that constitutes an oil passage that connects the oil pump and the oil strainer are provided.

  A feature of the present invention is that the oil pan apparatus includes an oil collecting plate and an oil guide pipe. The oil collecting plate has a concave portion that opens toward the lubrication mechanism, and is configured to collect the return oil that flows back from the lubrication mechanism in the concave portion. The oil guide pipe has one end opened at the bottom of the oil collecting plate and the other end filled with an amount of oil corresponding to about half of the maximum stored oil amount of the oil pan device in the space. The oil is opened at a position lower than the oil level when stored, and the oil collected by the oil collecting plate can be guided to the vicinity of the oil strainer at the bottom in the space.

  In the configuration of the present invention as described above, the oil stored in the oil pan device is sucked out from the oil suction port of the oil strainer and supplied to the lubricated mechanism when the oil pump is driven. Is done. The oil supplied to the lubricated mechanism has a lubricating effect on the lubricated member provided in the lubricated mechanism, and also generates heat generated by driving the lubricated member (for example, frictional heat or internal combustion engine). The heat generated by the combustion of the fuel gas in the gas is absorbed into the oil pan device by the action of gravity. The return oil returning from the lubricated mechanism is collected in an oil collecting plate having a recess opened toward the lubricated mechanism. The oil collected by the oil collecting plate flows into the oil guiding tube from one end of the oil guiding tube that opens at the bottom of the oil collecting plate, and flows out from the other end of the oil guiding tube, thereby near the oil strainer. Be guided to.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the oil that has absorbed heat from the member to be lubricated can be intensively guided near the oil strainer and absorbed by the oil suction port of the oil strainer. Therefore, according to the present invention, the warm-up operation time can be further shortened.

(1 ′) Here, the opening at the other end of the oil guide pipe is preferably formed in the bottom of the space, specifically, for example, in the vicinity of the oil strainer (the oil suction port at the lower end thereof). ing. As a result, the oil collected by the oil collecting plate can be intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil suction port at the lower end of the oil strainer.

(1-1) Another feature of the present invention is that, in the configuration (1), the oil strainer is further disposed close to a side surface of the space, and the other end of the oil guide pipe is connected to the oil strainer. It exists in being arrange | positioned between the said side surfaces. As a result, as will be described below, inhalation of air from the oil suction port of the oil strainer when the amount of stored oil is reduced is prevented as much as possible.

  That is, when the oil strainer is arranged close to the inner wall surface of the side surface of the oil pan device, the adjacent inner wall surface and the oil strainer (and the strainer flow channel that is an oil flow channel connecting the oil strainer) and The gap between the oil strainer and the inner wall surface of the side surface of the oil pan device is minimized. Here, the viscosity of the oil is considerably higher than that of water, and the viscosity of the oil is very high because the temperature of the oil is low particularly during the warm-up operation. Therefore, when oil is sucked out from the oil strainer by the oil pump and the oil level is lowered around the oil strainer, the gap portion where the gap is minimized is smaller in the gap portion than the other portions where the gap is wide. Oil level recovery due to oil supply from is delayed. As a result, the oil level is most significantly lowered in the gap portion, and the possibility of inhaling air at the oil suction port is maximized. Therefore, by intensively guiding the return oil into the gap portion, the intake of air from the oil suction port is prevented as much as possible.

(1-1 ') In this configuration, it is preferable to further provide a partition wall between the other end of the oil guide pipe and the oil strainer. The height of the partition is set to be higher than the other end and the oil suction port of the oil strainer. In addition, the partition wall is formed with an oil passage that is formed so as to prevent air bubbles generated due to the fall of the oil from being directly sucked into the oil strainer while being able to pass even if the oil is low temperature and high in viscosity. ing. As a result, even if the oil that has fallen from the oil collecting plate through the inside of the oil guide pipe is intensively guided to the vicinity of the oil strainer, bubbles generated when the oil falls are directly sucked into the oil strainer. This can be suppressed.

  The oil passage may be constituted by, for example, a circular shape having a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm formed in the partition wall, or an elliptical or polygonal through hole having an area equivalent to the circular shape. In addition, the oil passage has a width of about 5 to 10 mm, for example, formed so as to penetrate the partition or between the side end of the partition and the inner wall surface of the side surface of the oil pan device. It can be composed of a slit.

(1-2) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in the configuration (1), the oil guide pipe includes the oil strainer and / or the strainer flow path (at least a part thereof) on the other end side. It is configured to do so.

  Since the oil guide pipe incorporates at least a part of the oil strainer, the return oil that has absorbed heat from the lubricated member is intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil strainer and sucked in by the oil suction port of the oil strainer. obtain. Further, since heat transfer from the return oil to the oil strainer can occur, the oil can be warmed in the oil strainer by this heat transfer. Therefore, the warm-up operation time can be further shortened.

  Further, since the oil guide pipe incorporates at least a part of the strainer flow path, the return oil passing through the oil guide pipe (high-temperature oil that has absorbed heat from the lubricated mechanism) and the inside of the strainer flow path Heat exchange occurs between the oil (oil that is sucked by the oil strainer and supplied to the lubrication mechanism), and the oil inside the strainer flow path is warmed by the return oil. Therefore, the warm-up operation time can be further shortened.

  In addition, in the said structure, in order to accelerate | stimulate the said heat exchange, it is preferable to install the heat exchange fin in the part incorporated in the said oil guide pipe | tube in the said strainer flow path.

(1-3) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in each of the above-described configurations, the oil guide pipe is formed so as to contact the inner wall surface of the space at the other end. Thereby, since the vibration of the oil guide pipe is suppressed, the noise during operation of the machine with the oil pan can be reduced, and the durability of the oil pan apparatus and the lubrication apparatus can be improved.

(2) The oil pan device includes an oil pan cover capable of storing oil for lubrication of the lubrication target mechanism in an inner space, and an oil pan separator disposed in the space. The oil pan separator includes a first chamber in which an oil strainer constituting an oil suction port by an oil pump for supplying oil toward the lubricated mechanism is disposed at the bottom, and a first chamber adjacent to the first chamber. The space is divided into two chambers. The oil pan separator is formed with an oil communication path in which oil can be exchanged between the first chamber and the second chamber, and the oil communication path depends on the operating state of the lubrication target mechanism. An oil AC state between the first chamber and the second chamber in the oil communication path is configured to change.

  The lubrication device includes the oil pan device, an oil pump for supplying the oil stored in the oil pan device to the lubricated mechanism, and an oil suction port provided in the space. And a strainer flow path forming an oil flow path connecting the oil pump and the oil strainer.

  A feature of the present invention is that the oil pan apparatus includes an oil collecting plate and an oil guide pipe. The oil collecting plate has a recess that opens toward the lubrication mechanism, and is configured to collect the oil that flows back from the lubrication mechanism in the recess. The oil guide pipe has one end opened at the bottom of the oil collecting plate and the other end opened in the first chamber, and the oil collected by the oil collecting plate is collected at the bottom of the first chamber. The oil strainer can be guided to the vicinity of the oil strainer.

  In the configuration of the present invention as described above, the oil stored in the first chamber is sucked out from the oil suction port of the oil strainer and supplied to the lubricated mechanism by driving the oil pump. The The oil supplied to the lubrication target mechanism absorbs heat from the lubrication target member and then returns to the oil pan device by the action of gravity, as described above. In the same manner as described above, the return oil is collected on the oil collecting plate, flows into the oil guiding tube from one end of the oil guiding tube opened at the bottom of the oil collecting plate, and flows out from the other end of the oil guiding tube. By doing so, it is guided to the vicinity of the oil strainer at the bottom of the first chamber.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the oil that has absorbed heat from the lubricated member is intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil strainer disposed at the bottom of the first chamber, and the oil suction port of the oil strainer Can be absorbed by. Therefore, according to the present invention, the effect of shortening the warm-up operation time in the oil pan apparatus and the lubrication apparatus having a so-called two-tank oil pan structure is further improved.

(2 ′) Here, the opening at the other end of the oil guide pipe is preferably the bottom of the first chamber, specifically, for example, the oil strainer disposed at the bottom of the first chamber. Are formed in the vicinity of the oil suction port at the lower end of the oil and near the upper end of the oil strainer. As a result, the oil collected by the oil collecting plate can be intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil suction port at the lower end of the oil strainer.

(2-1) Another feature of the present invention is that in the configuration (2), the oil strainer is disposed in proximity to a side surface of the oil pan separator (that is, an inner surface of the first chamber), The other end of the guide tube is disposed between the oil strainer and the side surface. Thereby, similarly to the above-described configuration (1-1), inhalation of air from the oil suction port of the oil strainer when the oil storage amount is reduced is prevented as much as possible.

(2-1 ') In this configuration, it is preferable that a partition wall similar to the configuration (1-1') is further provided.

(2-2) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in the configuration (2), the oil guide pipe incorporates the oil strainer and / or the strainer flow path (at least a part thereof) on the other end side. It is configured to do so. Thereby, similarly to the said structure (1-2), further shortening of warm-up operation time is attained. In addition, in the said structure, it is further more preferable to install the heat exchange fin in the part incorporated in the said oil guide pipe | tube in the said strainer flow path.

(2-3) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in each of the above-described configurations, the oil guide pipe is formed so as to contact the inner wall surface of the oil pan separator at the other end. As a result, the vibration of the oil guide pipe is suppressed as in the above-described configuration (1-3), so that the noise during operation of the machine with the oil pan is reduced, and the durability of the oil pan device and the lubrication device is reduced. An improvement can be achieved.

(2-4) Still another feature of the present invention resides in that, in each of the configurations, the oil guide pipe and the oil collecting plate are integrally formed with the oil pan separator. Thereby, the structure which has the above outstanding operation | movement and an effect can be implement | achieved at low cost.

(3) The oil pan apparatus includes an oil pan cover similar to the above-described configuration (2) and an oil pan separator. Moreover, this lubrication apparatus is provided with the said oil pan apparatus and the oil pump and oil strainer similar to the above-mentioned structure (2).

  The feature of the present invention lies in the following configuration. In other words, the oil pan device includes a recess that opens toward the lubricated mechanism, and an oil collecting plate configured to collect the oil returning from the lubricated mechanism in the recess. ing. The oil communication path includes a thermostat valve mechanism including a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part that expands and contracts in response to the temperature of oil, and a valve that moves according to the expansion / contraction state of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. A through hole for dropping oil into the first chamber is formed at the bottom of the oil collecting plate, and the position of the through hole in the plan view is in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. Is formed.

  In the configuration of the present invention as described above, the oil stored in the first chamber is sucked out from the oil suction port of the oil strainer and supplied to the lubricated mechanism by driving the oil pump. The The oil supplied to the lubrication target mechanism absorbs heat from the lubrication target member and then returns to the oil pan device by the action of gravity, as described above. The return oil is collected in the oil collecting plate in the same manner as described above, flows out (falls) toward the first chamber through the through hole opened at the bottom of the oil collecting plate, and is arranged in the first chamber. The thermostat valve mechanism is guided in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. This temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part expands / contracts according to the temperature of the oil flowing out from the oil collecting plate. The valve moves due to the expansion / contraction operation of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part, thereby changing the valve opening rate in the thermostat valve mechanism, and thus the oil between the first chamber and the second chamber in the oil communication path is changed. The AC state changes.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the return oil is mixed with the stored oil in the first chamber, not the temperature of the oil in the first chamber that is lower than the temperature of the return oil, but the warming-up of the lubricated mechanism. The thermostat valve mechanism can be operated in accordance with the temperature of the return oil that more reflects the state. That is, when the warmed-up state of the lubricated mechanism becomes a state suitable for the end of the warming-up operation, the warming-up operation can be promptly terminated (with as short a delay time as possible). Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform a more appropriate warm-up operation in the oil pan apparatus and the lubrication apparatus having a so-called two-tank oil pan structure, and further shorten the warm-up operation time and improve the machine with the oil pan. The operating efficiency (for example, fuel efficiency) can be improved.

(3-1) Another feature of the present invention is that, in the configuration (3), one end is connected to the through hole and the other end is opened near the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part, and is collected by the oil collecting plate. An oil guide tube configured to be able to guide the oil thus produced to the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part is provided.

  According to this configuration, the return oil collected by the oil collecting plate returns to the first chamber through the oil guide pipe. Here, the oil guide pipe is opened in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part in the thermostat valve mechanism, and the return oil is guided in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. Accordingly, the return oil can be reliably guided to the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part, and thus the thermostat valve mechanism can be operated according to the temperature of the return oil.

(3-2) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in each of the above-described configurations, at least a part of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part of the thermostat valve mechanism is disposed inside the oil guide pipe. Thereby, the said return oil can be more reliably guided to the vicinity of the said temperature-sensitive expansion-contraction part.

(4) Another feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration (2) and further includes the following configuration. That is, the oil pan separator has a bottom surface provided to face the bottom surface of the oil pan cover. A separator drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan separator. A cover drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan cover so as to overlap the separator drain hole in plan view. The oil pan apparatus includes a drain plug configured to close the separator drain hole when the oil drain cover is attached to the cover drain hole so as to close the cover drain hole from the outside of the oil pan cover. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, a so-called two-tank oil pan structure (particularly, the recess constituting the first chamber is formed in the oil pan separator, and the recess in the oil pan separator is disposed in the space inside the oil pan cover. Thus, the oil exchangeability in the two-tank oil pan structure in which the second chamber is formed around the side and the lower side of the first chamber is improved. Further, sludge and the like precipitated in the first chamber can be easily discharged to the outside of the oil pan device.

(4 ') In particular, it is preferable that a recess is provided in the bottom surface of the oil pan separator, and the cover drain hole is formed in the recess. As a result, sludge is collected in the recess, and oil and sludge can be easily discharged to the outside from the first chamber by pulling out the drain plug.

(5) Still another feature of the present invention is that, in each of the configurations including the oil guide pipe, the oil guide pipe is disposed along a direction intersecting the vertical direction. In such a configuration, since a slope is formed by the inner wall surface of the oil guide pipe, the return oil flows downward along the slope. Bubbles are unlikely to occur in the return oil flowing along the slope. Therefore, according to such a configuration, when the return oil is sucked out by the oil suction port of the oil strainer, air suction at the oil suction port can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (embodiments that the applicant considers best at the time of filing of the present application) will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of the engine of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an engine 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The engine 10 includes a main body (engine block) 20 as a lubrication mechanism including a cylinder head and a cylinder block, an oil pan device 30 connected to the lower end of the engine block 20, and lubrication inside the engine 10. And a lubrication system 40 for circulating the oil for the engine 10 in the engine 10.

  A plurality of lubricated members such as a piston 21, a crankshaft 22, and a camshaft 23 are arranged in the engine block 20. An oil pan device 30 that is a member for storing oil to be supplied to these lubricated members is connected to the lower end portion of the engine block 20.

  The lubrication system 40 is configured as follows so that the oil stored inside the oil pan apparatus 30 can be supplied to the lubricated member.

  An oil strainer 41 having a suction port 41 a for sucking oil stored inside the oil pan device 30 is disposed inside the oil pan device 30, and the oil strainer 41 is provided in the engine block 20. The oil pump 42 and the strainer channel 43 are connected.

  The oil pump 42 is constituted by a known rotary pump, and its rotor is coupled to the crankshaft 22 so as to rotate together with the crankshaft 22. The oil pump 42 is connected to an oil inlet of an oil filter 44 provided outside the engine block 20 via an oil transport pipe 45. The oil outlet of the oil filter 44 is connected to an oil supply pipe 46 provided as an oil flow path toward each lubricated member.

(Configuration of the oil pan apparatus of the first embodiment)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the oil pan device 30 and its periphery in the engine 10 shown in FIG.

  The oil pan cover 31 is a bathtub-shaped (concave) member that constitutes the outer cover of the oil pan device 30, and is integrally formed by pressing a steel plate. The oil pan cover 31 is provided so as to extend substantially horizontally from a bathtub-shaped oil reservoir 31a that is open upward and can store oil in an inner space, and a peripheral edge above the oil reservoir 31a. And a flange portion 31b.

  The oil pan separator 32 divides the space inside the oil reservoir 31a in the oil pan cover 31 capable of storing oil into a first chamber 30a in which an oil strainer 41 is disposed and a second chamber 30b outside the oil reservoir 31a. It is a member for partitioning and is integrally formed of synthetic resin.

  The oil pan separator 32 has a bathtub-shaped oil storage portion 32a, and is configured to store oil in a space inside the oil storage portion 32a. The suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 is disposed at a predetermined narrow interval (for example, about 10 mm) from the bottom plate 32a1 of the oil pan separator 32 that constitutes the lowest position in the oil storage portion 32a (“minimum” “Position” refers to the lowest position in the direction of gravity in a side view when a predetermined device including the engine 10 is placed on a horizontal ground. That is, the first chamber 30 a is formed by the space inside the oil reservoir 32 a in the oil pan separator 32.

  A flange portion 32b is formed on the peripheral edge portion of the upper portion of the oil pan separator 32 so as to extend substantially horizontally. The oil pan separator 32 is disposed above the oil pan cover 31. The flange portion 32b of the oil pan separator 32 is fixed by a bolt or the like while being sandwiched between the lower end surface of the cylinder block 20a included in the upper engine block 20 and the flange portion 31b of the oil pan cover 31. The oil reservoir 32 a of the oil pan separator 32 is supported in the space inside the oil pan cover 31.

  Further, a predetermined gap is set between the bottom plate 31a1 at the lowest position in the oil reservoir 31a of the oil pan cover 31 and the bottom plate 32a1 at the lowest position in the oil reservoir 32a of the oil pan separator 32. . That is, a second chamber 30b that is a space that is surrounded by the oil pan cover 31 and the oil pan separator 32 and can store oil is formed below and to the side of the oil storage portion 32a of the oil pan separator 32. .

((Detailed configuration of oil pan separator))
An oil collecting plate 32c is formed at the upper end of the oil reservoir 32a in the oil pan separator 32 so as to cover the oil reservoir 32a. The peripheral edge portion of the oil collecting plate 32c is connected to the flange portion 32b.

  A side plate 32 a 2 is erected on the periphery of the bottom plate 32 a 1 of the oil pan separator 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the side plate 32a2 is formed so that the opening area increases toward the upper side (so-called widening), and an inclined surface is formed by the inner wall surface 32a3 of the side plate 32a2. It has become.

  The oil collecting plate 32c is formed as a concave portion opened toward the cylinder block 20a included in the upper engine block 20, and is configured to collect the return oil returning from the cylinder block 20a into the concave portion. ing. That is, the space inside the concave portion of the oil collecting plate 32c communicates with the space inside the cylinder block 20a, and is a member to be lubricated (piston 21 and crankshaft 22 in FIG. 1) disposed in the upper engine block 20. Etc.) can be received and collected in the space inside the recess of the oil collecting plate 32c.

  A through hole 32d is formed at the lowest position in the oil collecting plate 32c, and the upper surface (surface that receives and collects oil) 32c1 of the oil collecting plate 32c forms a downward slope toward the through hole 32d. It has become.

  A substantially cylindrical oil guide pipe 32e is provided so as to extend downward from the opening edge of the through hole 32d. The oil guide pipe 32e is formed so that the entire length thereof is in contact with the inner wall surface 32a3 that is the slope inside the side plate 32a2 of the oil pan separator 32. In particular, in the present embodiment, the oil guide pipe 32e is formed so that both are integrated at the contact portion between the oil guide pipe 32e and the side plate 32a2.

  The upper end of the oil guide pipe 32e is constituted by the through hole 32d. The lower end 32 e 1 of the oil guide pipe 32 e is formed so as to open at a position near the oil strainer 41 at the bottom of the oil reservoir 32 a of the oil pan separator 32. The oil strainer 41 is disposed close to the inner wall surface 32a3 of the oil reservoir 32a of the oil pan separator 32, and the lower end 32e1 of the oil guide pipe 32e is interposed between the inner wall surface 32a3 and the oil strainer 41. Has been placed. The oil guide pipe 32e is arranged along the direction intersecting the vertical direction, and an inclined surface can be formed by the cylindrical inner surface of the oil guide pipe 32e.

  That is, the oil guide pipe 32e is formed by the cylindrical inner surface of the oil guide pipe 32e by the return oil collected by the oil collection board 32c flowing from the through hole 32d formed at the lowest position of the oil collection board 32c. The oil is configured to flow down on the inclined surface, flow out from the lower end 32e1, and be supplied to the vicinity of the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41.

  A partition wall 33 is disposed between the lower end 32 e 1 of the oil guide pipe 32 e and the oil strainer 41. The partition wall 33 is erected from the bottom plate 32 a 1 of the oil pan separator 32, and the upper end thereof is formed to be higher than the lower end 32 e 1 of the oil guide pipe 32 e and the upper end portion of the oil strainer 41. The partition wall 33 is formed with a plurality of oil passages 33a each having a through hole. The oil passage 33a has a circular opening cross section with a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm, and is formed so that the opening end on the oil guide pipe 32e side is higher than the opening end on the oil strainer 41 side. Has been.

((Configuration related to oil exchange between the first chamber and the second chamber))
A thermostat valve device 34 is provided through the bottom of the side plate 32a2 in the oil reservoir 32a of the oil pan separator 32. This thermostat valve device 34 is provided with a well-known wax type thermostat valve mechanism used in a cooling water circulation system of an automobile, etc. inside the housing, and is almost the same height as the upper end of the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41. Is arranged.

  Specifically, in the thermostat valve device 34, the thermostat valve device 34 is sealed such that the wax 34a as the temperature sensing portion is sealed inside the valve body 34b, and the wax 34a is positioned on the first chamber 30a side. Has been placed. A rod 34 c is disposed inside the housing 34 d of the thermostat valve device 34. One end of the rod 34c is disposed so as to be exposed in a space in which the wax 34a is enclosed. The other end of the rod 34c is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside of the valve body 34b, and is connected to the housing 34d and fixed to an attachment plate 34e for attaching the thermostat valve device 34 to the side plate 32a2. Has been. The mounting plate 34e is exposed to the second chamber 30b side, and a through hole 34f through which oil can pass is formed in the exposed portion. A coil spring 34g is disposed inside the casing 34d, and the coil spring 34g presses the valve body 34b toward the mounting plate 34e.

  That is, in the thermostat valve device 34, when the wax 34a is heated and expanded to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined valve opening temperature, the rod 34c is pushed out from the wax 34a and the valve body 34b is pushed out toward the first chamber 30a. Thus, a gap is formed between the valve body 34b and the mounting plate 34e, and an oil communication path (hereinafter simply referred to as “oil connection”) is formed by the gap, the through hole 34f, and the inside of the housing 34d of the thermostat valve device 34. It is configured so that the oil can be exchanged between the first chamber 30a and the second chamber 30b through the passage. In other words, the wax 34a and the rod 34c constitute a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part that expands and contracts in response to the temperature of the oil.

  Further, when the thermostat valve device 34 is at a temperature lower than the valve opening temperature, the valve body 34b comes into contact with the mounting plate 34e with a predetermined pressure by the pressing force of the coil spring 34g. 34e is closed, and the oil communication path is closed.

  Further, the thermostat valve device 34 is configured such that the valve opening rate (the ratio of the current flow path cross-sectional area to the maximum flow cross-sectional area in the oil communication path) increases as the temperature rises. That is, in accordance with the oil temperature in the first chamber 30a in the vicinity of the thermostat valve device 34, the pressing force through the rod 34c to the valve body 34b due to the expansion of the wax 34a at a temperature equal to or higher than the valve opening temperature, and the The valve body 34b is positioned at a predetermined position that balances with the pressing force of the coil spring 34g, so that the AC state of the oil in the oil communication path changes according to the oil temperature.

  In the middle or upper part of the side plate 32a2 in the oil pan separator 32, the oil pan separator 32 has a size (for example, a circular shape having a diameter of about 8 to 10 mm or a diameter that does not make it difficult to pass even if the oil has a low viscosity during the warm-up operation) A plurality of upper communication holes 32f having a corresponding area of a polygon or an ellipse are provided. The upper communication hole 32f is provided in the first chamber when the engine 10 (see FIG. 1) is stopped and when the oil in the first chamber 30a is sucked out through the oil strainer 41 after the warm-up operation. It is provided to adjust the oil level between 30a and the second chamber 30b.

  A drain hole 32 g as a through hole is formed in the bottom plate 32 a 1 of the oil pan separator 32. The drain hole 32g can drain the oil in the first chamber 30a to the outer second chamber 30b when the oil is removed from the oil pan device 30 for oil exchange, while the second chamber 30b is in warm-up operation. The oil having a high viscosity at a low temperature flows into the first chamber 30a and is difficult to be sucked from the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 (for example, a circle having a diameter of about 2 to 3 mm). Yes.

(Operation / Effect by Configuration of Embodiment)
The operation of the oil pan apparatus 30 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the operation of the engine 10 is started, the oil pump 42 is driven based on the cycle motion of the internal combustion engine, and the oil pump 42 uses oil stored in the first chamber 30a of the oil pan device 30 as an oil strainer 41. Is sucked from the suction port 41a, and the sucked oil is sent out toward a member to be lubricated in the engine block 20 as a lubrication target. The oil supplied to the lubricated member in this manner functions as lubricating oil in the lubricated member, and also absorbs heat such as frictional heat generated during operation of the lubricated member, and then drops due to gravity. Is collected on the oil collecting plate 32c.

  The oil collected on the oil collecting plate 32c flows down toward the through hole 32d so as to go down the slope formed by the upper surface 32c1, and flows into the oil guide pipe 32e from the through hole 32d. The oil flowing into the oil guide pipe 32e flows down on the slope formed by the cylindrical inner surface of the oil guide pipe 32e, flows out from the lower end 32e1, and is supplied to the vicinity of the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41. At this time, the oil gently flows into the oil stored in the first chamber 30a along the slope, and the lower end 32e1 is also opened at the bottom of the oil storage part 32a. Foaming is suppressed.

  Here, in the conventional oil pan structure, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the oil strainer 41 is disposed close to the inner side surface 932 a 3 of the side plate 932 a 2 of the oil reservoir 932 a of the oil pan separator 932. If so, the oil level F2 in the narrow space N between the adjacent inner side surface 932a3 and the strainer flow path 43 falls below the oil level F1 of the other wide space B due to the suction of oil by the oil strainer 41. This phenomenon is considered to occur for the following reason.

  When oil in the vicinity of the oil strainer 41 in the first chamber 30a is sucked from the suction port 41a, (1) the oil surface in the vicinity of the strainer flow path 43 is instantaneously instantaneously when the oil is sucked from the suction port 41a. (2) Oil is supplied to the area near the strainer flow path 43 from the outer area. (3) From the balance between (1) and (2) described above, the strainer flow path 43 A mechanism is assumed in which a steady oil level height is formed in the vicinity of. In this mechanism, due to the viscosity of the oil, the oil supply to the narrow space N side in the region near the strainer flow path 43 is delayed more than the oil supply to the wide space B side. Due to the delay in the supply of oil to the narrow space N side, the height of the oil surface on the space N side in the region in the vicinity of the strainer flow path 43 is increased as shown in FIG. The oil level is steadily lowered from the space B side. The difference in the oil level becomes large during the warm-up operation in which the oil viscosity is high. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the oil level F2 on the narrow space N side becomes lower than the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 during the warm-up operation when the amount of oil stored in the first chamber 30a is small. There is a possibility that the amount of oil supplied to the lubricated member may be insufficient due to the intake of air from the suction port 41a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, in this embodiment, the oil strainer 41 is disposed close to the inner wall surface 32a3 of the side plate 32a2 of the oil reservoir 32a of the oil pan separator 32. The lower end 32e1 of the oil guide pipe 32e is disposed between the inner wall surface 32a3 and the oil strainer 41. As a result, since the return oil is concentratedly supplied to the narrow space N, the difference in oil level between the narrow space N side and the wide space B side in the region near the strainer flow path 43 occurs. It becomes difficult. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, stable oil supply to the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, a partition wall 33 having an oil passage 33a is disposed between the lower end 32e1 of the oil guide pipe 32e and the oil strainer 41. The opening end on the oil guide pipe 32e side in the oil passage 33a is formed at a position higher than the opening end on the oil strainer 41 side. Thereby, even if bubbles are mixed in the oil flowing out from the lower end 32e1 of the oil guide pipe 32e, the bubbles are suppressed from being sucked from the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the oil guide pipe 32e is in contact with the inner wall surface 32a3 of the side plate 32a2 of the oil reservoir 32a of the oil pan separator 32 over the entire length (including the lower end 32e1). Therefore, the oil induction pipe 32e does not vibrate with the lower end 32e1 as a free end due to vibration accompanying the operation of the engine 10 (see FIG. 1), and noise is not generated in the oil pan device 30.

((Warm-up operation))
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, during the warm-up operation, when oil is sucked from the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41, it is generated at the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 based on the operation of the oil pump 42. Due to the negative pressure, oil flows toward the suction port 41a along the bottom plate 32a1 of the oil pan separator 32 in the vicinity of the suction port 41a. At this time, in the drain hole 32g, it is difficult to pass oil having a high viscosity at a low temperature during the warm-up operation. Therefore, the negative pressure generated at the suction port 41a prevents oil at the bottom of the second chamber 30b from flowing into the first chamber 30a through the drain hole 32g.

  Further, during the warm-up operation, the temperature of the oil in the vicinity of the thermostat valve device 34 in the first chamber 30a is lower than the valve opening temperature, so the thermostat valve device 34 closes the oil communication path. Therefore, the inflow of oil from the second chamber 30b to the first chamber 30a through the oil communication path due to the negative pressure generated at the suction port 41a does not occur.

  Thus, during the warm-up operation, it is effective that the low-temperature oil in the lower portion of the second chamber 30b flows into the first chamber 30a through the oil communication passage and the drain hole 32g inside the thermostat valve device 34. (The inflow of oil from the second chamber 30b to the first chamber 30a is caused in the upper part of the second chamber 30b through the upper communication hole 32f when the oil level of the first chamber 30a is lowered ( The temperature is higher than the low temperature oil in the lower part of the second chamber 30b). Therefore, the oil supplied to the lubricated member is almost limited to the oil in the first chamber 30a. Accordingly, the progress of the warm-up operation can be promoted.

  Here, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, during the warm-up operation, the relatively high-temperature return oil that has absorbed heat by the lubricated member is intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil strainer 41, and the return oil Can be sucked from the suction port 41a and supplied again to the lubricated member. Thereby, in addition to the general effect of the so-called two-tank oil pan structure described above, the warm-up operation can be further promoted due to the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment.

((End of warm-up operation))
Thereafter, when the warm-up operation proceeds and the temperature of the oil in the first chamber 30a increases, the oil in the first chamber 30a is changed from the oil in the first chamber 30a to the oil in the second chamber 30b through the oil pan separator 32. The heat is transferred little by little, and the temperature of the oil in the second chamber 30b gradually increases. When the temperature of the oil in the first chamber 30 a and the second chamber 30 b in the vicinity of the thermostat valve device 34 rises to the valve opening temperature of the thermostat valve device 34, the oil communication in the thermostat valve device 34 is performed. Passage communication begins. Thereby, the influence of the negative pressure generated at the suction port 41a when the oil is sucked into the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 as described above reaches the communicated oil communication passage, and the second chamber The oil at the bottom of 30b passes through the oil communication passage and flows into the first chamber 30a.

  As the oil flows from the second chamber 30b to the first chamber 30a through the oil communication passage, the oil in the upper portion of the first chamber 30a flows out from the upper communication hole 32f to the second chamber 30b. In this way, the low temperature oil at the bottom of the second chamber 30b flows into the first chamber 30a through the oil communication passage, and at the same time, the high temperature oil at the top of the first chamber 30a enters the second chamber 30b through the upper communication hole 32f. By flowing out, the oil is circulated in the oil pan apparatus 30.

  In particular, as described above, the thermostat valve device 34 has a configuration in which the valve opening rate gradually increases as the temperature rises. Therefore, immediately after the end of the warm-up operation and immediately after the temperature of the oil around the thermostat valve device 34 has reached the valve opening temperature, the valve opening rate of the thermostat valve device 34 is low, and the second chamber 30b The inflow of low temperature oil stored on the lower side is small. As a result, a large amount of low temperature oil does not flow into the first chamber 30 a and is not sucked into the suction port 41 a of the oil strainer 41. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the lubricated member from being rapidly cooled by supplying a large amount of low temperature oil to the lubricated member.

  On the other hand, when a sufficient amount of time has elapsed after the warm-up operation is finished and the temperature of the oil in the first chamber 30a has become considerably high, the temperature of the oil in the second chamber 30b has also increased moderately. . In this case, the valve opening rate of the thermostat valve device 34 is increased, and the above-described oil circulation is activated. Therefore, in this case, since the entire amount of oil in the oil pan device 30 is used for lubrication without unevenness, overheating of the engine 10 is suppressed without deteriorating the durability of the oil.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the oil pan apparatus 130 of the second embodiment. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in the above-mentioned embodiment (1st Embodiment), and shall attach | subject the same code | symbol about the component which has appeared in drawing (the following 3rd-5th). The same applies to the embodiment).

  In the oil pan separator 132 of this embodiment, a flange portion 132b, an oil collecting plate 132c, and an oil guide tube 132e that are the same as the flange portion 32b in the first embodiment described above are integrally formed. Moreover, the bathtub-shaped oil storage part 132a which has the structure similar to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment is comprised separately from the said oil collection board 132c. The oil reservoir 132a is formed with an upper communication hole 132f and a drain hole 132g similar to those in the first embodiment described above. And the oil pan separator 132 is comprised by adhere | attaching the oil collection board 132c on the upper end part of the said oil storage part 132a, inserting the oil guide pipe | tube 132e in the inside of the said bathtub-shaped oil storage part 132a.

  In the oil pan device 130 of the present embodiment, the through hole 132d is formed in a circular shape in plan view, and the wax 34a of the thermostat valve device 34 is positioned in the circle in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, the oil guide tube 132e and the inner wall surface 132a3 of the side plate 132a2 of the oil reservoir 132a of the oil pan separator 132 are separated from each other at the positions of the through hole 132d and the lower end 132e1 (contact). On the other hand, a notch capable of accommodating the casing 34d of the thermostat valve device 34 is formed in the vicinity of the lower end 132e1 (that is, the lower end of the oil guide pipe 132e).

  That is, in the oil pan apparatus 130 of the present embodiment, the lower end 132e1 of the oil guide pipe 132e is supported by the casing 34d of the thermostat valve apparatus 34. In addition, almost all of the wax 34a in the thermostat valve device 34 is arranged (contained) inside the oil guide pipe 132e, and the return oil that flows into the oil guide pipe 132e from the through hole 132d. Can directly contact the portion of the housing 34d of the thermostat valve device 34 that contains the wax 34a.

  Further, the oil guide pipe 132e is arranged along the direction intersecting the vertical direction as in the first embodiment described above, and an inclined surface can be formed by the cylindrical inner surface of the oil guide pipe 132e. ing.

  According to the oil pan apparatus 130 of the present embodiment having such a configuration, when the return oil collected by the oil collecting plate 132c flows back into the first chamber 30a through the oil guide pipe 132e, the return oil is collected. Oil is intensively guided in the vicinity of the wax 34a. Thereby, the thermostat valve device 34 can be operated according to the temperature of the return oil more reflecting the warm-up state of the engine block 20 that is the lubrication target mechanism. That is, when the warm-up state of the engine block 20 becomes a state suitable for the end of the warm-up operation, the warm-up operation can be terminated quickly by opening the thermostat valve device 34. Therefore, according to such a configuration, in the so-called two-tank oil pan structure, it is possible to perform a more appropriate warm-up operation, and further shorten the warm-up operation time and improve fuel efficiency.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the oil pan apparatus 230 of the third embodiment. In the oil pan separator 232 of the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, the oil reservoir 232a and the oil collecting plate 232c are formed as separate bodies, and both are joined to form an oil pan. A separator 232 is configured. Further, the oil collecting plate 232c, the flange portion 232b, and the oil guide pipe 232e are integrally formed. The upper communication hole 232f and the drain hole 232g formed in the oil reservoir 232a are the same as the upper communication holes 32f and 132f and the drain holes 32g and 132g in the above-described embodiments.

  The feature of the configuration of the present embodiment is that the oil guide pipe 232e is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the strainer flow path 243. That is, the lower part of the strainer channel 243 is built in the oil guide pipe 232e. In addition, a plurality of heat exchange fins 243a are erected in a portion of the strainer channel 243 that is built in the oil guide pipe 232e. The strainer channel 243 and the heat exchange fins 243a are integrally formed of metal.

  The lower end 232e1 of the oil guide pipe 232e is located in the vicinity of the wax 34a and the oil strainer 41 of the thermostat valve device 34, and the oil guide pipe 232e opens at a position in the vicinity of the wax 34a and the oil strainer 41. It has become.

  According to the oil pan apparatus 230 of the present embodiment having such a configuration, the high-temperature return oil that has absorbed heat from the lubricated member is intensively guided in the vicinity of the oil strainer 41, and the inlet 41 a of the oil strainer 41. Inhaled by. Also, the oil strainer 41 and the strainer channel 243 are warmed by heat transfer from the return oil to the oil strainer 41 and the strainer channel 243, and are sucked by the suction port 41 a and pass through the oil strainer 41 and the strainer channel 243. Thus, the oil going to the oil pump 42 is warmed. In particular, since the heat exchange fins 243a are integrally formed in the strainer flow path 243, the high-temperature return oil outside the strainer flow path 243 and the oil going to the oil pump 42 inside the strainer flow path 243 are provided. Heat exchange with is promoted. Therefore, according to the present invention, the warm-up operation time can be further shortened.

  In the above configuration, the oil guide pipe 232e and the side plate 232a2 of the oil reservoir 232a of the oil pan separator 232 extend over the entire length of the oil guide pipe 232e extending from the through hole 232d that is the opening at the upper end to the lower end 232e1. The inner wall surface 232a3 is separated. That is, the oil guide pipe 232e is not supported from the side plate 232a2 of the oil reservoir 232a of the oil pan separator 232. However, according to the present embodiment, the oil guide pipe 232e is formed in a thin cylindrical shape with a diameter large enough to contain the strainer flow path 243, and is supported by the oil collecting plate 232c at the upper end thereof. The large vibration with the lower end 232e1 as a free end is unlikely to occur. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, generation of noise due to vibration of the oil guide pipe 232e during engine operation is suppressed.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an oil pan apparatus 330 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged side sectional view of the bottom of the oil pan apparatus 330 shown in FIG. 6 (in FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation of the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, (The oil strainer 41 is not shown in the figure).

  The oil pan cover 331 according to the present embodiment includes an oil storage portion 331a and a flange portion 331b having the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiments. Here, a drain plug hole 331k as a through hole is formed at the lowest position of the bottom plate 331a1 in the oil reservoir 331a of the oil pan cover 331. The drain plug hole 331k is formed as a screw hole into which the drain plug 36 made of an M12 size bolt can be fastened.

  The oil pan separator 332 of this embodiment includes an oil reservoir 332a, a flange 332b, an oil collecting plate 332c, and an oil guide pipe 332e having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. That is, a substantially cylindrical oil guide pipe 332e is provided so as to extend downward from the opening edge of the through hole 332d. The oil guide pipe 332e is formed so that the entire length thereof is in contact with an inner wall surface 332a3 that is a slope inside the side plate 332a2 of the oil pan separator 332. In particular, in the present embodiment, the oil guide pipe 332e is formed so that both are integrated at the contact portion between the oil guide pipe 332e and the side plate 332a2. The oil guide pipe 332e is arranged so that the lower end 332e1 thereof is positioned in the vicinity of the thermostat valve device 34 (wax 34a).

  Here, in the present embodiment, a partition wall 332h is erected upward from the bottom plate 332a1 so as to accommodate the housing 34d and the oil strainer 41 in the thermostat valve device 34. The position of the upper end of the partition wall 332h is set at substantially the same height as the lower end 332e1 of the oil guide pipe 332e.

  An oil discharge port 332k is formed at the lowest position of the bottom plate 332a1 of the oil reservoir 332a of the oil pan separator 332 and is directed downward from the oil discharge port 332k (with the bottom plate 331a1 of the oil pan cover 331). A substantially cylindrical discharge port rib 332m is erected so as to face each other. The concave portion formed inside the discharge port rib 332m forms the lowest position in the first chamber 30a, and the sludge in the return oil that has flowed back through the oil guide pipe 332e accumulates. Yes. Further, the drain hole 332g formed in the bottom plate 332a1 allows the sludge accumulated at the bottom of the first chamber 30a and not surrounded by the partition wall 332h to be discharged to the second chamber 30b below. These are formed in a circular shape with a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm in plan view, and a plurality are formed around the partition wall 332h.

  In the oil pan separator 332 according to the present embodiment, the oil storage portion 332a, the flange portion 332b, the oil collection plate 332c, the oil guide pipe 332e, the partition wall 332h, and the discharge port rib 332m are integrally formed.

  A spacer 35 is sandwiched between the bottom plate 331 a 1 in the oil pan cover 331 and the bottom plate 332 a 1 in the oil pan separator 332. The spacer 35 is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin.

  Above the support plate 35a constituting the lower part of the spacer 35, a substantially cylindrical rib 35b is erected, and the discharge rib 332m is fitted by a predetermined fitting intersection by a space inside the rib 35b. A mating engagement portion 35c is formed. A seal member 38a made of a doughnut-shaped rubber flat plate in a plan view is attached to the bottom surface (the upper surface of the support plate 35a) inside the engagement portion 35c.

  In the center of the support plate 35a in plan view, a through hole 35d that can penetrate the threaded portion 36a of the drain plug 36 is formed. Further, a drain passage 35e, which is an oil passage having one end as a boundary portion (joint portion) between the support plate 35a and the rib 35b and having the other end as an inside of the through hole 35d, is a center in the plan view of the support plate 35a. A plurality of holes 35d are formed radially and equidistantly from the center of the hole 35d in plan view.

  A seal member 37 made of a rubber flat plate is disposed on the upper side (the threaded portion 36 a side) of the flange portion 36 b of the drain plug 36. Further, a seal member 38b made of a circular rubber flat plate in a plan view is attached to the tip of the screw portion 36a. The length of the screw portion 36a in the drain plug 36 is such that the drain plug 36 is screwed into a drain plug hole 331k which is a screw hole formed in the oil pan cover 331, as shown in FIG. The sealing member 38b affixed to the tip of the screw portion 36a is substantially the same height as the sealing member 38a, and the sealing members 38a and 38b are in close contact with each other by the elasticity of rubber. Is set to get.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the thickness of the seal member 38a and the protruding length of the discharge port rib 332m are set so that the lower end of the discharge port rib 332m contacts the seal member 38a. ing.

  In the oil pan apparatus 330 of this embodiment having such a configuration, the oil in the first chamber 30a is in a state where the drain plug 36 is attached and fixed to the drain plug hole 331k in the bottom plate 331a1 of the oil pan cover 331. The engagement portion is liquid-tightly sealed so that the spacer 35 and the oil pan separator 332 (discharge port rib 332m) are not leaked to the external second chamber 30b. The oil in the second chamber 30b is liquid-tightly sealed by the seal member 37 so that the oil does not leak out of the oil pan cover 331.

  During the operation of the engine, the oil guide pipe 332e is opened in the vicinity of the wax 34a of the thermostat valve device 34. Therefore, the return oil that has flowed down in the oil guide pipe 332e is concentrated in the vicinity of the wax 34a of the thermostat valve device 34. Be guided.

  Further, since the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 and the lower end 332e1 of the oil guide pipe 332e are surrounded by the partition wall 332h, the return oil is stored in the first chamber 30a during the warm-up operation. It is suppressed that the temperature of the oil mixed with the oil and sucked from the suction port 41a is lowered. Further, although the drain hole 332g is formed with a large hole diameter as described above, the low temperature oil in the second chamber 30b is sucked from the suction port 41a through the drain hole 332g during the warm-up operation and warmed. It is effectively prevented that the machine operation is inhibited.

  Further, since the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 and the casing 34d of the thermostat valve device 34 are surrounded by the partition wall 332h, the oil strainer 41 is formed inside the thermostat valve device 34 after the warm-up operation is completed. Through the oil communication passage, the oil in the second chamber 30b can be efficiently sucked from the suction port 41a and supplied to the lubricated member. Therefore, the total amount of oil stored in the oil pan apparatus 330 can be used for the circulation between the engine block 20 and the oil pan apparatus 330 and the lubricating action for the lubricated member. Therefore, good lubrication inside the engine block 20 and prevention of early oil deterioration can be achieved.

  When the engine is stopped and the oil in the oil pan device 330 is drained for oil replacement or the like, the drain plug 36 is removed from the bottom plate 331a1 of the oil pan cover 331. Thereby, the oil in the first chamber 30a can be quickly discharged to the outside through the oil discharge port 332k. Oil and sludge in the second chamber 30b are discharged to the outside through the drain passage 35e.

  Further, since the sludge is configured to be collected (collected) in the recess formed inside the discharge port rib 332m, the sludge prevents the suction port 41a of the oil strainer 41 from being clogged. The Furthermore, when oil is drained as described above, sludge accumulated in the recess can be efficiently discharged to the outside.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an oil pan apparatus 430 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  The oil pan separator 432 of this embodiment includes an oil reservoir 432a and an oil collecting plate 432c having the same configuration as that of the third embodiment shown in FIG. That is, an upper communication hole 432f similar to the above-described upper communication hole 232f is formed in the upper part of the oil reservoir 432a, and a drain hole 432g similar to the above-described drain hole 232g is formed in the bottom plate 432a1. .

  A through hole 432d is formed at the lowest position of the oil collecting plate 432c. As shown in FIG. 9, the through hole 432 d is a position close to the inner wall surface 432 a 3 of the side plate 432 a 2 of the oil reservoir 432 a of the oil pan separator 432, and the thermostat valve device 34. (The wax 34a) and the oil strainer 41 are formed in the vicinity of the oil strainer 41. Note that the "plan view" in the fifth embodiment is particularly the engine 10 provided with the oil pan device 430 (see FIG. 1). When a predetermined device including the above is placed on a horizontal ground, it is assumed that the device is viewed from above in the direction of gravity action).

  In the oil pan apparatus 430 of this embodiment having such a configuration, the return oil that has absorbed heat from the lubricated member is concentrated in the vicinity of the wax 34a and the oil strainer 41 in the thermostat valve apparatus 34 by the action of gravity. Can be induced.

(Suggestion of modification)
In addition, each above-mentioned embodiment is only what illustrated the embodiment of this invention which the applicant thought that it was the best at the time of the application of this application as above-mentioned. The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the essential part of the present invention. Hereinafter, although some modifications will be exemplified, it goes without saying that the modifications are not limited to the following.

  For example, the configuration of the oil pan apparatus of the present invention can be applied to various apparatuses including a lubrication device to which the oil pan apparatus is applied, for example, an automatic transmission, in addition to the engine as in each of the above embodiments. .

  Further, in place of the thermostat valve device 34, an electromagnetic valve, a small diameter (for example, a circular shape having a diameter of about 2 to 4 mm, or an elliptical shape having an area equivalent to this) whose passage rate can change depending on the temperature (viscosity) of oil. Polygonal) through holes may be used.

  Also, the lower ends 32e1, 132e1, 232e1, 332e1 of the oil guide pipes 32e, 132e, 232e, 332e are at least an oil from the viewpoint of suppressing the foaming of oil in the first chamber 30a when the return oil flows in. It is only necessary to open at a position lower than the oil level when an amount of oil corresponding to about half of the maximum stored oil amount in the pan apparatus is stored in the oil pan apparatus.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus of 1st Embodiment applied to the engine shown in FIG. It is the sectional side view to which the oil strainer vicinity in the oil pan apparatus shown in FIG. 2 was expanded. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is the sectional side view to which the bottom part of the oil pan apparatus shown in FIG. 6 was expanded. It is a sectional side view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in planar view which shows schematic structure of the oil pan apparatus shown to the 8th.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Engine, 20 ... Engine block, 20a ... Cylinder block, 30, 130, 230, 330, 430 ... Oil pan apparatus, 30a ... First chamber, 30b ... Second chamber, 31, 131, 231, 331 ... Oil pan Cover, 32, 132, 232, 332, 432 ... Oil pan separator, 32a, 132a, 232a, 332a, 432a ... Oil reservoir, 32a3, 132a3, 232a3, 332a3, 432a3 ... Inner wall surface, 32c, 132c, 232c, 332c , 432c ... oil collecting plate, 32d, 132d, 232d, 332d, 432d ... through hole, 32e, 132e, 232e, 332e ... oil guide pipe, 32e1, 132e1, 232e1, 332e1 ... lower end, 33 ... partition wall, 34 ... thermostat valve Device, 34a ... Wack , 36 ... drain plug, 41 ... oil strainer, 41a ... suction port, 42 ... oil pump, 143 ... strainer flow path

Claims (10)

An oil pan cover capable of storing oil for lubrication of the lubricated mechanism in the inner space;
An oil pan separator disposed in the space;
With
The oil pan separator includes a first chamber in which an oil strainer constituting an oil suction port by an oil pump for supplying oil toward the lubrication mechanism is disposed at the bottom, and a first chamber adjacent to the first chamber. It is arranged to divide the space into two rooms,
The oil pan separator is formed with an oil communication path that allows oil to exchange between the first chamber and the second chamber,
In the oil pan apparatus, the oil communication path is configured such that an alternating current state of oil between the first chamber and the second chamber in the oil communication path changes according to an operating state of the lubrication target mechanism. ,
An oil collecting plate having a recess that opens toward the lubricated mechanism, and configured to collect oil flowing back from the lubricated mechanism in the recessed portion;
The oil communication path includes a thermostat valve mechanism including a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part that expands and contracts in response to the temperature of oil, and a valve that moves according to the expansion / contraction state of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part,
A through hole for dropping oil into the first chamber is formed at the bottom of the oil collecting plate,
The oil pan apparatus, wherein the through hole is formed such that a position of the through hole in a plan view is in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. The oil pan apparatus according to claim 1,
An oil having one end connected to the through-hole and the other end opened near the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part, and configured to guide oil collected by the oil collecting plate to the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part An oil pan apparatus comprising a guide pipe. An oil pan apparatus according to claim 2,
An oil pan apparatus, wherein at least a part of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part in the thermostat valve mechanism is disposed inside the oil guide pipe. An oil pan apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The oil pan apparatus, wherein the oil guide pipe is disposed along a direction intersecting a vertical direction. An oil pan apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The oil pan separator has a bottom surface provided to face the bottom surface of the oil pan cover,
A separator drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan separator,
A cover drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan cover so as to overlap the separator drain hole in a plan view,
An oil pan apparatus comprising a drain plug configured to close the separator drain hole when the cover drain hole is mounted from the outside of the oil pan cover so as to close the cover drain hole. . An oil pan cover capable of storing oil for lubricating the lubrication target mechanism in an internal space, and an oil pan apparatus provided with an oil pan separator that is positioned in the space,
An oil pump for supplying oil stored in the oil pan device to the lubricated mechanism;
An oil strainer disposed in the space and constituting an oil suction port by the oil pump;
With
The oil pan separator is arranged to divide the space into a first chamber in which the oil strainer is arranged and a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber,
The oil pan separator is formed with an oil communication path that allows oil to exchange between the first chamber and the second chamber,
In the lubricating device configured such that the alternating current state of the oil between the first chamber and the second chamber in the oil communication passage changes according to an operating state of the lubricated mechanism,
The oil pan device has a recess that opens toward the lubricated mechanism, and includes an oil collecting plate configured to collect the oil returning from the lubricated mechanism in the recess.
The oil communication path includes a thermostat valve mechanism including a temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part that expands and contracts in response to the temperature of oil, and a valve that moves according to the expansion / contraction state of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part,
A through hole for dropping oil into the first chamber is formed at the bottom of the oil collecting plate,
The lubricating device according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is formed such that a position of the through hole in plan view is in the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part. The lubricating device according to claim 6 ,
An oil having one end connected to the through-hole and the other end opened near the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part, and configured to guide oil collected by the oil collecting plate to the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive expansion / contraction part A lubrication device comprising a guide tube. The lubricating device according to claim 7 ,
The lubrication apparatus, wherein the thermostat valve mechanism is disposed inside the oil guide pipe. A lubricating device according to claim 7 or claim 8 , wherein
The oil guide pipe is arranged along a direction intersecting with a vertical direction. It is a lubrication device given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 6-8 ,
The oil pan separator has a bottom surface provided to face the bottom surface of the oil pan cover,
A separator drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan separator,
A cover drain hole as a through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan cover so as to overlap the separator drain hole in a plan view,
2. A lubrication apparatus comprising: a drain plug configured to close the separator drain hole when the cover drain hole is attached so as to close the cover drain hole from the outside of the oil pan cover.

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