JP7002269B2 - Vehicle power unit capsule device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a capsule device that encloses a power unit such as a vehicle engine body.

In automobiles, in recent years, the development of electric vehicles that use batteries and motors as power units has been promoted. However, it is left to future development for the full-scale commercialization of electric vehicles.
For this reason, it is unlikely that the use of internal combustion engines, which burn the air-fuel mixture in the engine body, including hybrid vehicles, will be eliminated now and at least in the near future.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-119384

By the way, when the engine body that burns the air-fuel mixture is used as a power unit, it is required to improve the fuel efficiency performance as compared with the conventional case. For this reason, it is conceivable to cover the engine body with a capsule structure as in Patent Document 1. Further, in Patent Document 1, the front inlet of the capsule structure is controlled to be in a closed state at the time of initial start-up or key-off, and is controlled to be in an open state at the time of cooling while the vehicle is running. This allows the temperature of the stopped engine body to be maintained for a long period of time by the closed capsule structure and then restarted in the uncooled engine body. By restarting the engine body in a warmed state, fuel efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where the engine body is restarted in a cooled state.
However, in Patent Document 1, outside air flows in from the inflow port provided on the front surface of the capsule structure. In this case, the engine body located inside the inflow port on the front surface can be cooled by the inflow outside air, but it is generally considered difficult to cool the oil pan provided at the lower part of the engine body in order to store oil. If the oil pan cannot be cooled appropriately, the oil circulating in the engine body cannot be cooled appropriately, and the oil may be overheated by continuous operation. When the engine body is lubricated with oil that has been overheated and whose viscosity has decreased, for example, friction in the engine body increases, and it is considered that the fuel efficiency performance in actual use deteriorates.

As described above, in vehicles such as automobiles, it is required to improve the performance of the power unit including the engine body that burns the air-fuel mixture in actual use.

The capsule device for a vehicle power unit according to the present invention is for a vehicle having a power unit provided in a chamber of the vehicle and in which an air-fuel mixture is burned by an engine body, at least a capsule structure surrounding the engine body and a lower portion of the engine body. An oil pan that is integrally provided with the engine body and stores oil circulating in the engine body, an exhaust opening provided near the oil pan for the capsule structure, and an exhaust opening. The exhaust opening / closing member movably provided so as to close, the control unit that controls the exhaust opening / closing member to open the exhaust opening, and the inside of the capsule structure are the main space in which the engine body is present and the main space. A partition member that partitions the lower space on the lower side where the oil pan is present, a partition opening formed in the partition member, a partition opening / closing member movably provided so as to close the partition opening, and the above. It has a control unit that controls a partition opening / closing member to open the partition opening .

Preferably, the control unit has the exhaust opening / closing member and the partition opening / closing based on at least the first temperature of the engine body or the main space and the second temperature of the oil pan, the oil or the lower space. It is good to control the members.

Preferably, the control unit controls the exhaust opening / closing member to close the exhaust opening when the second temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for the oil, and the second temperature is the oil. It is preferable to control the exhaust opening / closing member to open the exhaust opening when the temperature range is suitable for the above.

Preferably, when the first temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a state where the second temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for the oil, the control unit is provided with the exhaust opening / closing member by the exhaust opening / closing member. It is preferable to control the partition opening / closing member to open the partition opening while keeping the temperature closed.

Preferably, the control unit controls the exhaust opening / closing member when the first temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a state where the second temperature is in a temperature range suitable for the oil or higher. It is preferable to open the exhaust opening and control the partition opening / closing member to open the partition opening.

Preferably, the intake opening / closing member provided at a position in front of the oil pan of the capsule structure, the intake opening / closing member movably provided so as to close the intake opening, and the intake opening / closing member are controlled. The capsule structure has a protrusion or a recess on the lower surface behind the oil pan, and the exhaust opening is formed on the protrusion or the recess. It should be provided.

Preferably, the capsule structure is provided in the vehicle so as to remove the exhaust pipe, turbo device, muffler, and catalyst device for the power unit.

In the present invention, at least the engine body of a vehicle having a power unit is surrounded by a capsule structure. This makes it difficult for the temperature of the engine body inside the capsule structure to change.
Moreover, regarding the capsule structure, an exhaust opening is provided near the oil pan that protrudes from the lower part of the engine body and is integrally provided with the engine body, and the exhaust opening is controlled by the control unit to control the exhaust opening / closing member. Can be opened. As a result, when the temperature of the oil circulating in the engine body or the oil pan for storing the oil rises, the exhaust opening can be opened and these can be cooled by the outside air.
Therefore, in the present invention, while suppressing the oil circulating in the operating engine body from being overheated, for example, the stopped engine body is surrounded by a capsule structure to make it difficult to cool, and the engine body is restarted. It is possible to suppress deterioration of fuel efficiency performance when doing so. It is possible to improve the performance of the power unit including the engine body that burns the air-fuel mixture in actual use.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a power unit and a capsule device provided in the automobile of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed configuration of the capsule device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of opening / closing control of the opening by the control unit of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the lower surface shape of the capsule device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a power unit and a capsule device in a hybrid vehicle.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an automobile 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The automobile 1 is an example of a vehicle. FIG. 1A is a schematic side perspective view of the automobile 1. FIG. 1B is a schematic front perspective view of the automobile 1.

The automobile 1 of FIG. 1 has a vehicle body 2. A front chamber 3 is provided in the front portion of the vehicle body 2. In the front chamber 3, a pair of front beams 5 as skeleton members of the automobile 1 extend. Further, a toe board 6 as a partition wall (structural member) is provided between the front chamber 3 and the passenger compartment 4.
The front chamber 3 is provided with a front chamber 3 in which power units such as an engine main body 11 and a transmission 12 are arranged. Further, under the floor of the vehicle body 2, a propeller shaft 13 is installed from the front chamber 3 toward the rear side of the vehicle body 2. At the rear end of the propeller shaft 13, a rear differential gearbox 14 connected to the rear wheel 15 (axle) is provided.
The engine body 11 ignites and burns a mixture of outside air and gasoline taken in through an air cleaner 16 and an intake pipe 17 in a combustion chamber, lowers a piston in a cylinder by the expansion pressure of the burned mixture, and is connected to the piston. Rotate the output shaft. Further, the burned air-fuel mixture is exhausted to the outside through the open exhaust valve and the exhaust pipe 18.
The rotational driving force of the output shaft generated by the engine body 11 is decelerated by the transmission 12 and transmitted to the rear wheels 15 through the propeller shaft 13, the rear differential gearbox 14, and the rear axle shaft. Further, a part of the rotational driving force is branched by the transmission 12 and transmitted to the front wheel 15 through a front axle shaft (not shown).

By the way, in automobile 1, in recent years, the development of an electric vehicle using a battery and a motor as a power unit has been promoted. However, it is left to future development for the full-scale commercialization of electric vehicles.
For this reason, it is unlikely that the use of internal combustion engines that burn the air-fuel mixture in the engine body 11, including hybrid vehicles, will be eliminated now and at least in the near future.
Therefore, it is required to further improve the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine in which the air-fuel mixture is burned by the engine body 11. It is required to improve the fuel efficiency performance of the power unit including the engine body 11 in actual use.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a power unit and a capsule device 30 provided in the automobile 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 2, as a power unit provided in the automobile 1, an engine body 11, an oil pan 19, a radiator 20, an air cleaner 16, an intake pipe 17, an exhaust pipe 18, a turbo device 21, a catalyst device 22, a transmission 12, a propeller shaft 13, and the like. The rear differential gearbox 14, is illustrated.
The oil pan 19 is formed integrally with the engine body 11 so as to project from the lower part of the engine body 11. The engine body 11 and the transmission 12 are devices lubricated by oil.
The radiator 20, the air cleaner 16, the intake pipe 17, the exhaust pipe 18, the turbo device 21, and the catalyst device 22 are engine auxiliary devices used together with the engine body 11. Although not shown in particular, engine accessories include, for example, generators, batteries, distributors, injectors, fuel tanks, pumps, and the like. These engine accessories are used together with the engine body 11 in order to assist the operation of the engine body 11 and to keep the state and combustion state of the engine body 11 within a range suitable for combustion.

FIG. 2 further illustrates a capsule device 30 that surrounds a power unit such as an engine body 11.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed configuration of the capsule device 30 of FIG.
The capsule device 30 includes a covering case member 31 having a partition member 32, an intake opening 33, an intake opening / closing member 34, an exhaust opening 35, an exhaust opening / closing member 36, a partition opening 38, a partition opening / closing member 39, and a main temperature sensor 40. It has a lower temperature sensor 41, an outside air temperature sensor 42, and a control unit 43.

The coated case member 31 has a substantially box shape and surrounds the engine body 11 and the transmission 12 into which the oil pan 19 for the power unit is integrated. The covering case member 31 is formed of, for example, a heat insulating material. The covering case member 31 is formed in a box shape having a size one size larger than that of the engine body 11 and the transmission 12. Around the propeller shaft 13, the intake pipe 17, and the exhaust pipe 18 protruding outward from the covering case member 31, for example, a rubber material or a resin material is formed in order to ensure the airtightness of the covering case member 31, which is not shown. Boots are provided.
As a result, the covering case member 31 secures an air layer between the engine main body 11 and the transmission 12 and surrounds them so as to be hermetically sealed. The injector and oil pan 19 provided on the engine body 11 are also surrounded by the covering case member 31. Equipment that is lubricated by oil can be enclosed.
Further, substantially the entire exhaust pipe 18, the turbo device 21, the catalyst device 22, the air cleaner 16, and the intake pipe 17 are provided outside the covering case member 31. As a result, the temperature of the exhaust system, which becomes high due to the exhaust air-fuel mixture after combustion, can be prevented from accumulating inside the covering case member 31.
The engine auxiliary equipment such as the generator, the battery, the distributor, the fuel tank, and the pump may be provided inside or outside the covering case member 31.
Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the covering case member 31 is supported by being mounted on the pair of front beams 5 of the vehicle body 2 at the same position as the engine body 11 in the front chamber 3 so as to be overlapped with the engine body 11. .. As shown in FIG. 1B, the covering case member 31 is provided so as not to protrude downward from the pair of front beams 5. The minimum ground clearance of the vehicle body 2 is the same as when the covering case member 31 is not provided.

The partition member 32 partitions the inside of the covering case member 31 into a main space 44 and a lower space 45 below the main space 44. The partition member 32 may be formed of a heat insulating material in the same manner as the covering case member 31.
In the lower space 45, an oil pan 19 projecting downward from the lower part of the engine main body 11 is arranged.
Members other than the oil pan 19, for example, the engine body 11 and the transmission 12 are arranged in the main space 44.
As a result, the oil pan 19 for storing the oil circulated in the engine body 11 is housed in the covering case member 31 separately from the other members in the lower space 45.

The intake opening 33 is formed on the front surface of the lower space 45 for the covering case member 31 as shown in FIG.
As a result, the outside air is blown to the intake opening 33 from the front of the vehicle body 2 while the vehicle is running.

The intake opening / closing member 34 is attached to the covering case member 31 and integrally provided on the upper and outer sides of the intake opening 33 of the covering case member 31. The intake opening / closing member 34 is provided so as to be rotatable upward with respect to the covering case member 31.
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the intake air opening / closing member 34 is lowered. In this state, the intake opening 33 of the covering case member 31 is closed. The covered case member 31 is hermetically sealed and the space inside the covered case member 31 can be separated from the outside.
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the intake air opening / closing member 34 is raised. In this state, the intake opening 33 of the covering case member 31 is open. The inside and outside of the covering case member 31 can communicate with each other through the intake opening 33.
Then, by attaching the intake air opening / closing member 34 so as to be rotatable upward on the upper and outer sides of the intake opening 33 of the covering case member 31, the intake air opening / closing member 34 does not protrude downward from the covering case member 31. It will be like. As shown in FIG. 1, the intake opening / closing member 34 is provided so as to be housed inside so as not to protrude downward from the pair of front beams 5 of the vehicle body 2.
When an exhaust system member such as an exhaust pipe 18 that becomes hot is present on the front side of the covering case member 31, it is desirable that the intake opening 33 is not located on the rear side of the exhaust system member. Also in FIG. 1, the intake opening 33 is formed at a position displaced from the exhaust pipe 18 in the vehicle width direction.
Further, when an exhaust system member such as an exhaust pipe 18 that becomes hot is present in the entire width of the front side of the covering case member 31, the intake opening 33 may be provided at a height position different from that of the exhaust system member. Alternatively, the intake opening 33 may be provided on the side surface of the covering case member 31 so as to be on the front side of the oil pan 19.

The exhaust opening 35 is formed on the lower surface of the lower space 45 for the covering case member 31 as shown in FIG. The exhaust opening 35 is provided near the oil pan 19 at a position on the rear side of the oil pan 19.
As a result, for example, when the intake opening 33 and the exhaust opening 35 are both open, the outside air entering from the front of the lower space 45 passes through the oil pan 19 and goes out of the lower space 45 from the exhaust opening 35. Can be exhausted.

The exhaust opening / closing member 36 is integrally provided by being attached to the covering case member 31 in the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31. The exhaust opening / closing member 36 is provided so as to be slidable along the bottom surface of the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31.
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is moved backward. In this state, the exhaust opening 35 of the covering case member 31 is closed. The covered case member 31 is hermetically sealed and the space inside the covered case member 31 can be separated from the outside.
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is moved forward. In this state, the exhaust opening 35 of the covering case member 31 is open. The inside and outside of the covering case member 31 can communicate with each other through the exhaust opening 35.
Then, by attaching the exhaust opening / closing member 36 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the opening 32 of the covering case member 31, the exhaust opening / closing member 36 does not protrude downward from the covering case member 31. Become. The exhaust opening / closing member 36 is provided so as to be housed inside so as not to protrude downward from the pair of front beams 5 of the vehicle body 2.

The partition opening 38 is formed in the partition member 32 of the covering case member 31 as shown in FIG. The partition opening 38 is provided near the oil pan 19 and at a position on the rear side of the oil pan 19.
As a result, for example, when the partition opening 38 and the exhaust opening 35 are both open, the air in the main space 44 passes through the partition opening 38 and the exhaust opening 35 to the outside of the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31. Can be exhausted to. Further, at this time, the air in the main space 44 can be made difficult to touch the oil pan 19.

The partition opening / closing member 39 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31 by being attached to the covering case member 31. The partition opening / closing member 39 is provided so as to be slidable along the upper surface of the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31.
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the partition opening / closing member 39 is moved forward. In this state, the partition opening 38 of the covering case member 31 is closed. The covered case member 31 is hermetically sealed and the space inside the covered case member 31 can be separated from the outside.
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the partition opening / closing member 39 is moved backward. In this state, the partition opening 38 of the covering case member 31 is open. The main space 44 and the lower space 45 can communicate with each other through the partition opening 38.

The main temperature sensor 40 is arranged in the main space 44 of the covering case member 31 and detects the temperature inside the main space 44. Here, the main temperature sensor 40 is provided in contact with the outer surface of the engine body 11. As a result, the main temperature sensor 40 can detect the temperature of the engine body 11 as the temperature inside the main space 44.

The lower temperature sensor 41 is arranged in the lower space 45 of the covering case member 31 and detects the temperature inside the lower space 45. Here, the lower temperature sensor 41 is provided in contact with the outer surface of the oil pan 19. As a result, the lower temperature sensor 41 can detect the temperature of the oil pan 19 or the oil as the temperature inside the lower space 45.

The outside air temperature sensor 42 is arranged outside the covering case member 31 and detects the temperature outside the covering case member 31.

A main temperature sensor 40, a lower temperature sensor 41, an outside air temperature sensor 42, an intake opening / closing member 34, an exhaust opening / closing member 36, and a partition opening 38 are connected to the control unit 43. The control unit 43 sets the intake opening / closing member 34 as the state of the automobile 1 based on the correlation between the inside and outside temperatures of the covering case member 31 measured by the main temperature sensor 40, the lower temperature sensor 41, and the outside air temperature sensor 42. The exhaust opening / closing member 36 and the partition opening 38 are controlled, and the opening / closing of various openings such as the intake opening 33, the exhaust opening 35, and the partition opening 38 is individually controlled.
The control unit 43 can be realized by, for example, a microcomputer. It may be provided by being attached to the covering case member 31 as a dedicated circuit, or may be provided as a function of an ECU (Engine Control Unit) that controls an automobile 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of opening / closing control of various openings by the control unit 43 of FIG.
The control unit 43 repeatedly executes the open / close control of FIG.

In the open / close control of FIG. 4, the control unit 43 first confirms whether or not the engine body 11 is operating (step ST1). The control unit 43 acquires control information of the engine main body 11 by the ECU, and confirms whether or not the engine is operating.
When the engine body 11 is not operating, that is, when the engine body 11 is stopped, the control unit 43 closes all the openings (step ST2). As a result, the covering case member 31 is sealed. The inside of the covering case member 31 is kept warm by the heat insulating structure.
It should be noted that the engine body 11 may be temporarily stopped at least when the automobile 1 is stopped while the operation is being continued. In this case, it may be determined that the engine body 11 is operating or stopped, but it is preferable to determine that the engine body 11 is operating while the engine body 11 is in operation. As a result, as will be described later, when the automobile 1 is temporarily stopped during continuous driving, the opening 32 can be maintained in an open state. It is possible to prevent the temperature of the engine body 11 from rising significantly when the vehicle is stopped for a short time during continuous operation.

When the engine body 11 is operating, the control unit 43 acquires the main temperature of the main temperature sensor 40, the lower temperature of the lower temperature sensor 41, and the outside air temperature of the outside air temperature sensor 42 (step ST3).
Then, the control unit 43 starts control to open and close various openings individually based on the correlation of these temperatures.

First, the control unit 43 compares the lower temperature with the minimum temperature requiring warm air (step ST4). The minimum temperature may be, for example, the minimum temperature suitable for operation of the engine body 11 and the transmission 12. Specifically, for example, the viscosity of the oils used in these may be higher than desired for operation.
When the lower temperature is lower than the minimum temperature, the control unit 43 controls the intake opening / closing member 34 and the exhaust opening / closing member 36, and closes the intake opening 33 and the exhaust opening 35 (step ST5). As a result, the lower space 45 is closed. The oil pan 19 and the oil are warmed by the heat generated by the engine body 11.

After controlling the intake opening / closing member 34 and the exhaust opening / closing member 36, the control unit 43 compares the main temperature with the cooling temperature (step ST6). The cooling temperature may be, for example, the maximum temperature suitable for operation of the engine body 11 and the transmission 12. Specifically, for example, the viscosity of the oils used in these may be lower than desired for operation.
When the main temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling temperature, the control unit 43 controls the partition opening / closing member 39 to open the partition opening 38 (step ST7). As a result, the air in the main space 44 warmed by the heat of the engine body 11 and the transmission 12 can flow into the lower space 45. The lower space 45 and the oil pan 19 provided inside the lower space 45 are warmed by the heat generated by the engine body 11.
When the main temperature is lower than the cooling temperature, the control unit 43 controls the partition opening / closing member 39 and closes the partition opening 38 (step ST8). As a result, the air in the main space 44 can be prevented from flowing out. The engine body 11 and the transmission 12 provided in the main space 44 and the inside thereof are heated by their heat.

On the other hand, when the lower temperature is equal to or higher than the minimum temperature, the control unit 43 controls the intake opening / closing member 34 and the exhaust opening / closing member 36 to open the intake opening / closing portion 33 and the exhaust opening / closing portion 35 (step ST9). As a result, in the lower space 45, outside air flows in from the front intake opening 33, and the oil pan 19 and the oil can be cooled by the outside air.

After controlling the intake opening / closing member 34 and the exhaust opening / closing member 36, the control unit 43 compares the main temperature with the cooling temperature (step ST10).
When the main temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling temperature, the control unit 43 controls the partition opening / closing member 39 to open the partition opening 38 (step ST11). As a result, the air in the main space 44 heated by the heat of the engine body 11 and the transmission 12 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust opening 35 through the lower space 45.
When the main temperature is lower than the cooling temperature, the control unit 43 controls the partition opening / closing member 39 and closes the partition opening 38 (step ST8). As a result, the air in the main space 44 can be prevented from flowing out. The engine body 11 and the transmission 12 provided in the main space 44 and the inside thereof are heated by their heat.

As described above, in the present embodiment, at least the engine main body 11 of the automobile 1 having the power unit is surrounded by the capsule structure of the covering case member 31 at intervals so as to sandwich the air layer. As a result, the temperature of the engine body 11 inside the capsule structure can be made difficult to change.
Moreover, regarding the capsule structure, an exhaust opening 35 is provided on the lower side near the oil pan 19 which is projected from the lower part of the engine body 11 and is integrally provided with the engine body 11, and the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is controlled by the control unit. The exhaust opening 35 can be opened by controlling by 43. As a result, when the temperature of the oil circulating in the engine body 11 or the oil pan 19 for storing the oil rises, the exhaust opening 35 can be opened and these can be cooled by the outside air.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, while suppressing the oil circulating in the operating engine body 11 from being overheated, for example, the stopped engine body 11 is surrounded by a capsule structure to make it difficult to cool, so that the engine body 11 is hard to cool. It is possible to suppress deterioration of fuel efficiency performance when restarting is started. It is required to improve the performance of the power unit including the engine body 11 that burns the air-fuel mixture in actual use.

In the present embodiment, a heat insulating partition member 32 is provided inside the capsule structure to partition the main space 44 in which the engine body 11 is located and the lower space 45 in which the oil pan 19 is located below the main space 44. This makes it possible to make the temperature of the oil pan 19 and the oil stored therein different from that of the engine body 11 and the main space 44 in which the engine body 11 is located. The heat of the engine body 11 can hardly directly affect the temperature rise of the oil pan 19 and the oil stored therein.
Moreover, the partition member 32 is formed with a partition opening 38 on the rear side of the oil pan 19, and the control unit 43 controls the partition opening / closing member 39 according to the state of the automobile 1 to open the partition opening 38. be able to. Therefore, for example, when the oil pan 19 or oil requires the heat of the engine body 11, or when the temperature rise of the oil pan 19 does not matter, the partition opening 38 is opened and the engine body 11 and the engine body 11 exist. Heat can be generated from the main space 44.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 43 has at least the outside air temperature outside the capsule structure, the main temperature of the engine body 11 or the main space 44, and the lower temperature of the oil pan 19, the oil or the lower space 45, and their correlation. The exhaust opening / closing member 36 and the partition opening / closing member 39 are controlled based on the relationship. As a result, the temperature of the engine body 11 and the temperature of the oil pan 19 or the oil can be individually and appropriately controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the partition opening 38 and the exhaust opening 35.

For example, when the automobile 1 is stopped or the power unit is stopped, the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is controlled to close the exhaust opening 35. As a result, the capsule structure can be sealed so that the engine body 11 and the like are less likely to be cooled while the vehicle is stopped or stopped.

In addition, for example, when the lower temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for oil, the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is controlled to close the exhaust opening 35, and the lower temperature is in the temperature range suitable for oil or higher. In this case, the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is controlled to open the exhaust opening 35. Thereby, the temperature of the oil pan 19 or the oil can be heated to a temperature range suitable for the oil regardless of the state of the engine main body 11 and cooled so as to be maintained at the temperature range suitable for the oil.

In addition to this, for example, when the main temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a state where the lower temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for oil, the partition opening / closing member 39 keeps the exhaust opening 35 closed by the exhaust opening / closing member 36. To open the partition opening 38. As a result, the temperature of the oil pan 19 or the oil can be heated by the heat of the engine body 11.

In addition to this, for example, when the lower temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a temperature range suitable for oil or higher, the exhaust opening / closing member 36 is controlled to open the exhaust opening 35. The partition opening / closing member 39 is controlled to open the partition opening 38. As a result, the engine body 11, the oil pan 19, and the oil can be cooled so as not to be overheated.

In the present embodiment, at least the exhaust opening / closing member 36 in the exhaust opening / closing member 36 and the partition opening / closing member 39 is attached to the covering case member 31 used for the capsule structure and is provided integrally with the covering case member 31. As a result, it is not necessary to attach and support the opening / closing member such as the exhaust opening / closing member 36 and the partition opening / closing member 39 to the skeleton member or the structural member of the automobile 1 separately from the covering case member 31 used for the capsule structure. The structure of the capsule device 30 can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the intake opening 33 is provided on the front side of the oil pan 19 for the capsule structure, and the intake opening / closing member 34 opens / closes the intake opening 33. As a result, the oil pan 19 and the oil provided in the capsule structure can be directly cooled by the outside air flowing in from the intake opening 33. The oil pan 19 and oil provided in the capsule structure can be cooled by the outside air having a low temperature instead of the outside air used for cooling the engine body 11.

In the present embodiment, the capsule structure is composed of a covering case member 31 that surrounds at least the engine body 11 in the chamber of the automobile 1. Then, the covering case member 31 is overlapped with the engine main body 11 and is attached to and supported by the skeleton member or the structural member of the automobile 1 at the same position as the engine main body 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to attach the capsule structure member to the skeleton member or the structural member of the automobile 1 separately from the power unit such as the engine body 11. Compared to the case where the capsule structure is composed of a skeletal member of the automobile 1 or a covering member such as an engine cover or an undercover that is independently attached to the structural member, a large-scale measure or change is required on the automobile 1 side. do not do. Moreover, since the capsule structure itself can be made smaller, the capsule structure itself can be manufactured at low cost.
Further, the opening / closing members such as the exhaust opening / closing member 36 and the partition opening / closing member 39 provided together with the capsule structure are provided so as to be accommodated inside the skeleton member or the structural member of the automobile 1. As a result, the capsule structure can be provided in the automobile 1 without significantly affecting the specifications such as the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle body 2 of the automobile 1.

The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications or modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the lower surface of the covering case member 31 as a capsule structure is basically formed on a flat surface.
In addition to this, for example, the lower surface of the covering case member 31 may be formed unevenly so as to increase / decrease or adjust the intake / exhaust efficiency of the outside air in the capsule structure.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the lower surface shape of the capsule device 30.

In FIG. 5A, a recess 51 is formed on the lower surface of the capsule device 30 at a position behind the oil pan 19. Further, the exhaust opening 35 is provided at the top of the recess 51.
In this case, the inside of the recess 51 tends to have a negative pressure due to the air flow flowing from the front to the back on the lower surface of the capsule device 30. As a result, the air flow can be vigorously blown out from the exhaust opening 35 at the top of the recess 51. The air inside the covering case member 31 is efficiently blown out from the exhaust opening 35.
In FIG. 5B, a protrusion 52 is formed on the lower surface of the capsule device 30 at a position behind the oil pan 19. Further, the exhaust opening 35 is provided at the top of the protrusion 52.
In this case, the rear side of the protrusion 52 tends to have a negative pressure due to the air flow flowing from the front to the back on the lower surface of the capsule device 30. As a result, the air flow can be vigorously blown out from the exhaust opening 35 at the top of the protrusion 52. The air inside the covering case member 31 is efficiently blown out from the exhaust opening 35.
In any of these cases, the air inside the covering case member 31 can be efficiently blown out from the exhaust opening 35, so that the air heated by the oil pan 19 or the engine body 11 can be efficiently blown out from the exhaust opening. It is pulled to 35 and is exhausted to the outside of the capsule structure. The inside of the capsule structure can be cooled efficiently.
In particular, the inside of the capsule structure is partitioned by a partition member 32, an oil pan 19 is provided in the lower space 45, an intake opening 33 is provided on the front side of the lower space 45, and an exhaust opening 35 is provided on the rear side of the lower space 45. As a result, the outside air can efficiently flow in the lower space 45. Despite being covered with a capsule structure, the oil pan 19 and the oil can be effectively cooled.

In the above embodiment, the automobile 1 has only an internal combustion engine with an engine body 11 as a power unit.
In addition to this, the automobile 1 includes a hybrid automobile having an electric drive device driven by a motor together with an internal combustion engine, and an electric vehicle having only an electric drive device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a power unit and a capsule device 30 in a hybrid vehicle.
In FIG. 6, the electric motor 61 is attached to the transmission 12. A plurality of battery cells are connected to the electric motor 61 through a converter (not shown). By driving the electric motor 61, the driving force can be transmitted to the propeller shaft 13 through the transmission 12.
In the case of such a power unit configuration, the covering case member 31 of the capsule device 30 may be provided so as to surround the electric motor 61 as a hybrid device and the converter together with the engine main body 11, the engine auxiliary device, and the transmission 12. In this case, it is possible to warm the electric motor 61 and the converter so that the frictional resistance and the like are in a state suitable for operation. Further, the inside of the covering case member 31 may be divided into two chambers, the engine main body 11 and the like may be housed in one, and the hybrid device may be housed in the other. In this case, it is possible to keep the temperature of each room individually.

1 ... automobile (vehicle), 2 ... car body, 3 ... front room, 4 ... passenger room, 5 ... front beam, 6 ... toe board, 11 ... engine body, 12 ... transmission, 13 ... propeller shaft, 14 ... rear differential gearbox , 15 ... Wheels, 16 ... Air Cleaner, 17 ... Intake Pipe, 18 ... Exhaust Pipe, 19 ... Oil Pan, 20 ... Radiator, 21 ... Turbo Equipment, 22 ... Catalyst Equipment, 30 ... Capsule Equipment, 31 ... Covered Case Member (Coated) (Member), 32 ... Partition member, 33 ... Intake opening, 34 ... Intake opening / closing member, 35 ... Exhaust opening, 36 ... Exhaust opening / closing member, 38 ... Partition opening, 39 ... Partition opening / closing member, 40 ... Main temperature sensor, 41 ... lower temperature sensor, 42 ... outside air temperature sensor, 43 ... control unit, 44 ... main space, 45 ... lower space, 51 ... recess, 52 ... protrusion, 61 ... electric motor

Claims (7)

For a vehicle having a power unit provided in the cell chamber of the vehicle and burning the air-fuel mixture in the engine body, at least a capsule structure surrounding the engine body and
An oil pan that protrudes from the bottom of the engine body and is provided integrally with the engine body to store oil that circulates in the engine body.
An exhaust opening provided near the oil pan for the capsule structure and
An exhaust opening / closing member movably provided so as to close the exhaust opening,
A control unit that controls the exhaust opening / closing member to open the exhaust opening,
A partition member that partitions the inside of the capsule structure into a main space in which the engine body is located and a lower space in which the oil pan is located below the main space.
A partition opening formed in the partition member and
A partition opening / closing member movably provided so as to close the partition opening,
A control unit that controls the partition opening / closing member to open the partition opening, and
Have,
Capsule device for vehicle power unit. The control unit controls the exhaust opening / closing member and the partition opening / closing member based on at least the first temperature of the engine body or the main space and the second temperature of the oil pan, the oil or the lower space. ,
The capsule device for the power unit of the vehicle according to claim 1. The control unit
When the second temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for the oil, the exhaust opening / closing member is controlled to close the exhaust opening.
When the second temperature is in or higher than the temperature range suitable for the oil, the exhaust opening / closing member is controlled to open the exhaust opening.
The capsule device for the power unit of the vehicle according to claim 2 . The control unit
When the first temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a state where the second temperature is lower than the temperature range suitable for the oil, the exhaust opening / closing member controls the partition opening / closing member with the exhaust opening closed. Open the partition opening,
The capsule device for the power unit of the vehicle according to claim 2 or 3 . The control unit
When the first temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature in a state where the second temperature is in a temperature range suitable for the oil or higher, the exhaust opening / closing member is controlled to open the exhaust opening and open / close the partition. Control the member to open the partition opening,
The capsule device for a vehicle power unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4. An intake opening provided at a position in front of the oil pan of the capsule structure,
An intake opening / closing member movably provided so as to close the intake opening,
A control unit that controls the intake opening / closing member to open the intake opening,
Have,
The capsule structure has protrusions or recesses on the lower surface behind the oil pan.
The exhaust opening is provided in the protrusion or the recess.
The capsule device for a vehicle power unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The capsule structure is provided in the vehicle so as to remove the exhaust pipe, turbo device, muffler, and catalyst device for the power unit.
The capsule device for a vehicle power unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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