EP2995787A1 - Oil pan for a combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

Oil pan (10) for an internal combustion engine, with a first oil chamber (27), with a partition wall for separating a second oil chamber (24), wherein the partition wall has at least one connection opening (30, 32) for connecting the first oil chamber (22) to the second oil chamber (24), and with at least one valve (34) which can be closed in a temperature-dependent manner by the at least one connection opening (30, 32), wherein the valve (34) is designed so that, when the temperature in the first oil chamber (22) is below a switching temperature, the connection opening (30 , 32) closes, characterized in that the partition wall is formed by an insert element (20) inserted into the oil sump (30).

Description

The invention relates to an oil pan for an internal combustion engine, having a first oil chamber, with a partition for separating a second oil chamber, wherein the partition has at least one connection opening for connecting the first oil chamber with the second oil chamber, and with the at least one connection opening temperature-responsive valve wherein the valve is designed such that it closes the connection opening at a temperature lying in the first oil chamber, below a switching temperature.

Such an oil pan is for example from the EP 2 154 341 B1 or the DE 197 29 253 C2 previously known. The division into two chambers has the advantage of a reduced volume of oil per chamber, so that at a Operating at low temperatures, the oil can be warmed to operating temperature in less time. At higher temperatures, the valve opens the connection opening to establish a flow connection between the two chambers, so that the oil volume of both oil chambers can be fed into the oil circuit. Overall, the oil volume in the oil pan is brought in this way to the operating temperature in a shorter time, which has a favorable effect on the fuel consumption and the CO ₂ emissions of the internal combustion engine.

The object of the invention is to provide an oil pan of the type mentioned, which can be produced in a simple manner and yet works reliable.

This object is achieved by an oil pan having the features of claim 1. The oil pan according to the invention is therefore characterized in that the partition wall is formed by an insert element used in the oil pan. The provision of such an insert element has the advantage that, for example, an existing oil sump can be used, in which then the partition can be used to form an oil sump with two oil chambers. The insert element can preferably be made in one piece from plastic. The oil pan can be made of a metallic material or plastic.

Advantageously, the insert element has a substantially parallel to the oil pan floor extending ceiling portion and a substantially parallel or transverse to the oil pan wall wall portion. The insert element divides the volume of the in the Oil pan of existing oil advantageously in about two equal halves; Consequently, about the same amount of oil is present in both oil chambers. Advantageously, the insert element has only the two sections, namely the one ceiling section and a wall section extending substantially perpendicular thereto. The Wandungsabschnitt divides the base or the oil pan bottom in two halves. In the side view, the insert element may consequently be substantially L-shaped, with an L-beam being formed by the ceiling section and the L-beam extending perpendicularly thereto by the wall section. The ceiling portion has the advantage that it can be formed baffle-like, to prevent unwanted movement of the present in the oil pan oil.

For positionally accurate contact of the insert element in the oil pan is advantageous if the oil pan supports for resting a free edge of the insert element such that when mounting the oil pan to a crankshaft housing, the free edge of the insert element is clamped between the supports and the crankshaft housing. Advantageously, while the free edge of the ceiling portion is secured by clamping between the oil pan and the crankcase. On the other hand, of course, also conceivable that the insert glued into the oil pan, poured, welded, screwed or otherwise a known manner is secured therein.

The oil pan may further comprise holding ribs for holding a free edge of the insert element, in particular for introducing the free edge of the wall section. The holding ribs can form a receiving groove, in which the free edge is inserted. This also ensures a secure positionally accurate insertion of the insert element can be ensured in the oil pan. In addition, a seal between the two chambers can be achieved.

The insert element advantageously provides an inlet opening, which is provided in particular in the ceiling section, and an outlet opening, which is provided in particular in the wall section. The valve is advantageously designed so that it opens and closes the inlet opening and the outlet opening synchronously. That is, when reaching the switching temperature, the inlet opening and the outlet opening is preferably opened at the same time; colder oil present in the second chamber can flow into the first chamber. In addition, warm oil can flow into the second chamber from the first chamber.

The cross-sectional areas of the inlet opening and the outlet opening are advantageously arranged parallel to one another. This has the advantage that an opening and closing of the two openings by means of an element is possible.

It is also advantageous if the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged to extend along a common axis. For closing or opening the two openings, consequently, a closing body can be moved along this axis for synchronous opening and closing.

The axis can advantageously be such that it the ceiling portion and / or the wall portion at an angle of 25 ° to 60 ° and preferably below an angle of 30 ° to 40 ° cuts. In this way it can be ensured that both openings along a common axis can be realized in a space-saving manner in the insert element. In particular, it is conceivable that the axis while the oil pan bottom intersects at an angle of about 30 ° to 60 ° and further preferably parallel to the side walls, and preferably runs parallel to the longitudinal sides of the oil pan.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by an oil sump mentioned above, in which the partition wall has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the valve within the second chamber a plunger which closes the inlet opening in a closed position, and a sealing element which in a closing position closes the outlet opening, provides. The plunger may provide an additional sealing element and / or may be piston-like and then have a plunger flange for closing the inlet opening, and a plunger shaft which is guided displaceable in the axial direction. The plunger and the sealing element are consequently provided along a common axis for, in particular, synchronous opening and closing of the inlet and outlet openings. The openings may, as already mentioned, each have a cross-sectional area, which are each arranged to extend parallel to one another. Thus, opening and closing of the inlet and outlet openings can be achieved by actuating the plunger and the sealing element.

For temperature-dependent opening of the valve is advantageous if the valve has an SMA spring element within the first chamber, which upon reaching the Switching temperature pushes the plunger and in particular the sealing member from the closed position to an open position, and / or urges the plunger and preferably also the sealing member from the open position to the closed position upon reaching a return temperature. An SMA spring element, that is to say a shape memory alloy spring element, has the advantage that the spring element assumes a predetermined spatial structure when a certain temperature is reached. In this respect, a temperature-dependent opening or closing can be achieved in a simple manner.

The switching temperature is advantageously higher than the switch-back, so that after opening the valve this, even if the temperature drops, remains open until the switch-back temperature is reached. The temperature difference between switching temperature and switchback temperature can be about 20 Kelvin. Advantageously, the valve opens at a temperature of about 80 to 100 ° C and closes at a temperature of about 50 to 70 ° C.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the sealing element is arranged axially displaceable on the plunger, wherein a compensating spring element is provided which urges the plunger and the sealing element in the respective closed position. Due to the displacement of the sealing element on the plunger distance tolerances between the two openings can be compensated. It can always be ensured that both openings are securely closed.

On the other hand, it is conceivable that the plunger and the sealing element are also formed in one piece. Here are However, accurate tolerances to take into account, so that a functionally reliable closing of the inlet opening and the outlet opening can be ensured.

For receiving the SMA spring element is advantageous if a valve cage is provided on the first chamber side facing the partition. The SMA spring element acts advantageously at one end against the valve cage and at the other end against the sealing element. Upon reaching the switching temperature, therefore, the SMA spring element expands, and thus urges the sealing element, and the movement-coupled plunger, in the open position.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a closing spring is provided which urges the plunger and / or the sealing element in the closed position. The closing spring thus ensures that both openings are securely closed below the switching temperature or the switch-back temperature. The spring force of the closing spring is advantageously greater than the spring force of the compensating spring, so that a secure closing of both openings is achieved.

The plunger may have a sleeve guided in the valve cage at its end provided in the first chamber. Thereby, a safe guiding of the plunger can be ensured during its axial movement.

The sleeve may provide a collar, wherein the closing spring then acts against the collar at one end and against the valve cage at the other end. The spring force of the closing spring is directed against the spring force of the SMA spring element. The spring force of the SMA spring element is such that when the switching temperature is exceeded, the SMA spring element provides a greater spring force than the closing spring, so that the plunger together with the sealing element is urged against the spring force of the closing spring of the SMA spring element in the open position.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to which an embodiment of the invention is described and explained in detail.

• Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Ölwanne;
• Figur 2 die Ölwanne gemäß Figur 1 in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• Figur 3 das Einsatzelement der Ölwanne gemäß Figur 1 und 2 als Einzelteil;
• Figur 4 einen Schnitt durch einen Randbereich der Ölwanne gemäß Figur 1 und 2;
• Figur 5 einen Ausschnitt des Schnitts gemäß Figur 4;
• Figur 6 eine Vergrößerung eines Ausschnitts des Schnitts gemäß Figur 5;
• Figur 7 einen Ausschnitt eines Schnitts durch die Ölwanne gemäß Figur 1 und 2;
• Figur 8 einen Längsschnitt durch das im Einsatzelement vorgesehenen Ventil in Schließstellung;
• Figur 9 das Ventil gemäß Figur 8 in Öffnungsstellung;
• Figur 10 das in den Figuren 8 und 9 gezeigte Ventil als Einzelteil; und
• Figur 11 das Ventil gemäß Figur 10 in einer anderen Ansicht.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 a plan view of an oil pan according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 the sump according to FIG. 1 in perspective view;
• FIG. 3 the insert element of the oil pan according to FIGS. 1 and 2 as a single item;
• FIG. 4 a section through an edge region of the oil pan according to FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 5 a section of the section according to FIG. 4 ;
• FIG. 6 an enlargement of a section of the section according to FIG. 5 ;
• FIG. 7 a section of a section through the oil pan according to FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 8 a longitudinal section through the valve provided in the insert element in the closed position;
• FIG. 9 the valve according to FIG. 8 in open position;
• FIG. 10 that in the FIGS. 8 and 9 shown valve as a single item; and
• FIG. 11 the valve according to FIG. 10 in a different view.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown oil pan 10 has an oil pan bottom 12 and the oil pan bottom 12 enclosing Ölwannenwandung 14 with an upper, lying in a plane edge 15. The oil pan 10 has a substantially rectangular basic shape in plan view, with the oil pan wall 14 providing two narrow sides 16 and two longitudinal sides 18.

The interior of the oil pan 10 is defined by a partition wall in the form of an insert element 20, which in FIG. 3 shown as a single part, divided into two chambers 22 and 24.

Like from the FIGS. 1 to 3 becomes clear, the insert element 22 has a substantially parallel to the oil pan bottom 12 extending ceiling portion 26 and a substantially perpendicular thereto, or parallel to the narrow sides 16 extending wall portion 28.

The wall portion 28 extends, as in particular FIGS. 1 and 2 becomes clear, between the central regions of the longitudinal sides 18. This ensures that the two chambers 22, 24 are substantially equal.

In order for oil to flow from the first chamber 22 into the second chamber 24, the insert element 20 has an inlet opening 30. In order for oil to flow from the second chamber 24 into the first chamber 22, the insert element 20 has an outlet opening 32. The inlet opening 30 is provided in the region of the ceiling section 26; the outlet opening 32 in the lower region of the Wandungsabschnitts 28th

Between the two openings 30 and 32, a temperature-dependent switching valve 34 is provided along an axis 33, which will be described in detail below in more detail. How out FIG. 1 becomes clear, includes the longitudinal axis 33 of the valve 34 in plan view with the longitudinal sides 18 an angle α in the range of about 30 °. In side view, the longitudinal axis 33 of the valve 34 closes as shown FIG. 8 becomes clear, with the oil pan bottom 12 and the ceiling portion 26 an angle β of about 35 °. The axis 33 intersects the bottom 12 in the central region of the longitudinal extension of the oil pan 10th

For positionally secure arrangement of the insert member 20 within the oil pan 10, the oil pan, as shown in FIGS. 4 . 5 and 6 becomes clear, support 36 before, on which the edge portion 38 of the ceiling portion 26 comes to rest.

The edge region 38 can provide defined clamping elevations 40, which of the supports 36 during assembly of the oil pan 10 to a crankcase, which in the FIG. 4 marked with the reference numeral 42, be securely clamped held, as in FIGS. 5 and 6 shown. For positionally safe and also dense arrangement of the wall portion 28 in the oil pan 10, the oil pan 10, as in FIG. 2 and 7 is shown, in particular in the ground near area holding ribs 44 provide. Advantageously, at least partially mutually parallel retaining ribs 44 are provided, into which the free edge region 46 of the Wandungsabschnitts 28 can be introduced. As in particular from FIG. 3 and the cut according to FIG. 7 becomes clear, 46 sealing webs 48 may be provided at the edge region, which bear in the assembled state sealingly against the retaining lips 44.

In the FIGS. 8 and 9 showing a longitudinal section through the valve 34, the inlet opening 30 and the outlet opening 32 are clearly visible. In the FIG. 8 in which the valve is shown in the closed position, the openings 30, 32 are closed. In the FIG. 9 in which the valve 34 is shown in the open position, the two openings 30 and 32 are opened.

As in particular from the FIGS. 10 and 11 becomes clear, the valve comprises a plunger 50, on which a disk-like sealing member 52 is arranged to be displaceable in the axial direction. The plunger 50 has on its side facing away from the sealing member 52 a flange portion 54 which closes the inlet opening 30 in the closed position. In the closed position, the sealing member 52 closes the outlet opening 32. As in particular from the FIGS. 8 and 9 is clear, the cross-sectional areas of the inlet opening 30 and the outlet opening 32 are perpendicular to the axis 33, or arranged parallel to each other. In spite of the presence of distance tolerances between the two openings 30, 32 a secure simultaneous closing of the inlet opening 30 and the outlet opening 32, a compensating spring element 56 is provided between the plunger 50 and the sealing element 52.

The valve 34 comprises a valve cage 58, which is firmly anchored in the mounted state on the insert element 20, or its wall section 28. The valve cage 58 may, for example, be fastened to the region provided around the outlet opening 32 by means of a latching connection 60.

Like from the FIGS. 10 and 11 As can be seen, the axial movement guide sealing member 52 may provide guide ribs 62 which slidably engage with guide grooves 64 provided on the valve cage 58.

In the mounted state, an SMA spring element 66 is located within the guide cage 58. In operation of the oil pan, the spring element 66 is thus located within the engine oil provided in the first chamber 22. The spring element 66 acts at one end against a contact portion 68 of the valve cage 58 and at the other end against the sealing element 52.

At the free end 70 of the plunger 54, a sleeve 72 is arranged in the mounted state, which is guided in the end face of the valve cage 58. The sleeve 72 is coupled in motion via latching tongues 82 to the plunger 50. A rivet, screw or adhesive connection would be conceivable. In order to ensure that the plunger 50 or its flange portion 54 securely closes the inlet opening 30, and that the sealing element 52 securely closes the outlet opening 32, a closing spring 74 is provided on the sleeve. The closing spring 74 supports at one end to a sleeve-side annular collar 76 and on the other hand on the abutment portion 68 of the valve cage 58 from. This ensures that the plunger 50 and the sealing member 52 are urged into the closed position.

If the temperature of the oil, which is located in the chamber 22, a value below a switching temperature, so there is no expansion of the spring element 66; according to FIG. 8 Consequently, the inlet opening 30 and the outlet opening 32 are closed. If the temperature of the oil present in the chamber 22 rises above a switching temperature, then the spring element 66 expands and the inlet opening 30 and outlet opening 32 are opened. On the one hand, this allows already heated oil to flow out of the chamber 22 via the inlet opening 30 into the chamber 24. On the other hand, not yet heated oil can flow out of the chamber 24 via the outlet opening 32 into the chamber 22. The oil flow is in FIG. 9 indicated by the arrows 80. Cooled by the flowing from the chamber 24 into the chamber 22 oil then the temperature of the oil in the chamber 22 below a switch-off temperature, this leads to the spring element 22 contracts again, which, due to the spring force of the spring 74, the plunger, the inlet opening 30 and the sealing member 52 close the opening 32. Consequently, only then the oil of the oil chamber 22 is fed into the oil circuit again.

Claims (15)

Oil pan (10) for an internal combustion engine,
with a first oil chamber (22),
with a partition wall for separating a second oil chamber (24),
wherein the partition wall has at least one connection opening (30, 32) for connecting the first oil chamber (22) to the second oil chamber (24), and
with at least one valve (34) which can be closed in a temperature-dependent manner by the at least one connection opening (30, 32), the valve (34) being designed so that, at a temperature lying below a switching temperature in the first oil chamber (22) , 32) closes,
characterized in that the partition wall is formed by an insert element (20) inserted into the oil sump (10). Oil pan (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert element (20) has a substantially parallel to the oil pan bottom (12) extending ceiling portion (26) and a substantially parallel or transverse to the oil pan wall (16, 18) extending wall portion (28) having. Oil sump (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the oil sump (10) supports (36) for resting a free edge (38) of the insert element (20) such that when mounting the sump (10) on a Crankshaft housing (42) of the free edge (38) of the insert element (20) between the supports (36) and the crankcase (42) is held clamped. Oil sump (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the oil sump (10) holding ribs (44) for receiving or holding a free edge (46) of the insert element (20). Oil sump (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert element (20) an inlet opening (30), which is provided in particular in the ceiling portion (26), and an outlet opening (32), in particular in the wall portion (28) is, wherein the valve (34) is formed such that it synchronously opens and shoots the inlet opening (30) and the outlet opening (32). Oil sump (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross-sectional areas of the inlet opening (30) and the outlet opening (32) are arranged to extend parallel to each other. Oil sump (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the inlet opening (30) and the outlet opening (32) are arranged to extend along a common axis (33). Oil pan (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the axis (33) the ceiling portion (26) and / or the wall portion (18) at an angle of 25 ° to 60 ° and preferably from 30 ° to 45 ° cuts. An oil pan (10) according to the preamble of claim 1 or any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition wall has an inlet port (30) and an inlet port (30) Wherein the valve within the second chamber (24) comprises a plunger (50) which closes the inlet opening (30) in a closed position, and a sealing element (52) which in a closed position the outlet opening (32) closes, has. Oil sump (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the valve (34) within the first chamber (22) has an SMA spring element (66) which upon reaching the switching temperature, the plunger (50) and / or the sealing element (52 ) urges from the closed position to an open position and / or urges the plunger (50) and / or the sealing element (52) from the open position into the closed position upon reaching a switch-back temperature. Oil sump (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the sealing element (52) is disposed axially displaceable on the plunger (50), wherein a compensating spring element (56) is provided which the plunger (50) and the sealing element (52 ) urges in the respective closed position. Oil sump (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that on the first chamber (22) facing side of the partition, a valve cage (58) for receiving the SMA spring element (66) is provided. Oil pan (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a closing spring (74) is provided, which urges the plunger (50) and / or the sealing element (52) in the closed position. Oil sump (10) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the plunger (50) has at its in the first chamber (22) provided in the valve cage (58) guided sleeve (72). Oil pan (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the sleeve (72) has a collar (76), wherein the closing spring (74) acts at one end against the collar (76) and the other against the valve cage (58).

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