Internal-combustion engines – Lubricators – Crankcase – pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-07-31
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Lubricators
Crankcase, pressure control
C123S19800E
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267094
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART
The invention relates to an oil pump module for an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, containing at least one oil pump and oil cleaning means.
At present it is common, especially in automotive manufacture, to provide and install separately the oil pump and corresponding oil cleaner for the internal combustion engine.
This requires considerable expense and effort since at least two installation steps are necessary for assembly.
For this reason so-called oil pump modules have been developed which are intended to provide for greater integration of the components. A number of solutions have been proposed, but they achieve the desired purpose partially or not at all.
OBJECT AND SOLUTION
The object of the invention is to provide an oil pump module for an internal combustion engine, especially a motor vehicle, which provides sufficient integration of the components, simplification of installation, and a practical arrangement of the individual parts.
This object is achieved in that the oil pump and the oil cleaner are arranged at least partially in or on a common base element. In this manner a unit is formed which as an assembly requires but a single installation step. The base element joining together the oil pump and the oil cleaner can serve for the oil-carrying connection together of the two parts and contribute to stability. The base element can function either as a kind of support plate, or else it can preferably at least partially comprise or enclose the oil pump and/or the oil cleaner.
In order to achieve a weight reduction, which is desirable especially in automobile design, the base element can be made largely of plastic. In this manner the production of the base element becomes easier and cheaper. Many plastics can be used which can withstand the stresses involved in installing it on or near the internal combustion engine. Plastics with glass or carbon fiber inclusions can be used with preference, and the base element can be made preferably by injection molding.
In order to affix the oil pump module, in one embodiment the base element can be joined to the body of the internal combustion engine, especially by a releasable fastening, such as bolting. Thus the oil pump module can be mounted and removed easily in order to perform any necessary maintenance and repair work.
Preferably the oil pump is driven by the internal combustion engine, especially through a drive shaft reaching into the body of the internal combustion engine, while coupling can be achieved through an angle drive on the drive shaft. A separate drive for the oil pump can thus be dispensed with.
Advantageously, the base element can be placed against the internal combustion engine or its body, and especially pressed against it with sealing. Separate fastening of the oil pump to the internal combustion engine is thereby eliminated. Furthermore, since the oil pump is connected directly to the internal combustion engine the above-described driving connection as well as an oil carrying connection can be carried out especially conveniently. This can reduce the entire size of the internal combustion engine with its oil pump module.
Advantageously the oil is pumped out of the internal combustion engine into the oil pump through corresponding openings in an oil pump case which match openings in the body of the internal combustion engine to which they are applied. Thus conduits otherwise commonly used, such as pipes or hoses, can be dispensed with.
In a preferred embodiment, the oil pump centers itself, and the oil pump module, when fastened to the body of the internal combustion engine itself, enters by means of a projection on the oil pump case which engages an opening corresponding thereto into the body of the internal combustion engine. Not only can a definite position of the oil pump with respect to the internal combustion engine be assured, but in addition an exact adjustment of the oil carrying openings to the oil pump. The oil pump can be secured against axial rotation of the oil pump since the entire oil pump module is held by the base element.
Advantageously, the oil pump's drive shaft runs through the % projection, and it can especially be journaled in a bearing, for example a slide bearing directly in the oil pump case. Preferably the oil pump is covered toward the base element by an oil pump cover which is preferably shaped to match the form of the pump rotors. For that purpose it can be plate-like and seal off the oil pump at least partially on the outside. The oil pump cover does not necessarily have to be fastened directly to the oil pump or to its casing, but can be pressed by the base element against the oil pump and secured against rotation.
In one embodiment of the invention the base element can at least partially surround and/or seal off the oil pump. This makes it possible to insert the parts of the oil pump loosely into the base element, thereby holding the parts together.
For high integration and improved operation it is advantageous that oil flows at least through a portion of the base element. This increases the number of design possibilities, since the oil pump does not necessarily have to be joined directly to the oil cleaning means. Preferably the base element can have guiding means, especially guiding passages, for an oil flow, which can be connected directly to the oil pump. Especially the base element can be a direct oil carrying means. In this manner separately attached parts such as tubes or pipes can be dispensed with.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one oil cooler, especially an oil cooler with water flowing through it, can be present, which is connected sealingly to the base element or is surrounded by it. Channels in the base element to carry the oil can be connected sealingly and directly to corresponding openings of the at least one oil cooler. In this manner the base element can additionally assume the function of the at least partial carrying of the oil stream.
Preferably at least one oil cooler can be connected to the oil cleaning means, especially by sealed contact pressure. Thus an oil flow can be achieved without other auxiliary means. Advantageously, the oil flow which is carried at least once, preferably twice, through the at least one oil cooler, can be carried between at least two currents through the oil cleaning means. In this manner the cooling effect can be intensified and the oil circulation can also be simplified.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the oil pump (in the direction of the flow of the oil) is arranged especially as the first component after the oil exits from the internal combustion engine, before entering into the at least one oil cooler. This oil cooler can preferably be arranged ahead (in the direction of oil flow) of the entrance into the oil cleaning means. The oil pump can thus force the oil through the components that follow. The oil cleaning means can preferably include at least one oil filter. In the latter any dirt particles or the like carried by the oil can precipitate or be separated from the oil.
Advantageously, the oil pump can be an internal gear pump, especially a trochoidal pump, the rotors of which rotate in a rotor housing which preferably consists of metal. In further embodiment the rotor housing can serve simultaneously as an oil pump casing. Such an internal gear pump is reliable and requires little space. By making the rotor housing of metal greater accuracy of manufacture can be obtained and a reduction of wear. Also the rotors of the oil pump consist preferably of metal, and sintered steel rotors are mainly desirable.
In further embodiment of the invention at least one gear, preferably the internal rotor with trochoidal teeth, can be joined directly to a drive shaft, preferably releasably joined. In that case it can be superimposed with a form-locking connection. The possibility of easy separation between the drive shaft and the internal rotor facilitates repairs and maintenance work.
Advantageously, the base element completel
Kuettner Peer-Oliver
Weindorf Martin
Crowell & Moring , L.L.P.
Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
Huynh Hai
Kamen Noah P.
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