Separator structure of chain case

Details Separator structure of chain case Separator structure of chain case

2000-02-22

2001-10-30

Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Frame construction

Horizontal cylinder

C123S1950HC

Reexamination Certificate

active

06308679

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a separator structure for partitioning the interior of a chain case accommodating therein a chain-sprocket mechanism for rotating a crankshaft and camshafts in an interlocking fashion.
2. Description of the Related Art
An engine is known in which a part of oil used for lubricating a valve train while the engine is driven is constructed so as to flow down within a chain case accommodating therein a chain-sprocket mechanism provided on one end face of a cylinder block in a crankshaft direction for rotating a crankshaft and camshafts in an interlocking fashion.
Here, when a large volume of oil flowing down from a cylinder head to an oil pan is brought into contact with the chain-sprocket mechanism, as a matter of inconvenience, not only is rotational friction increased, but also the oil is diffused to thereby promote the misting of oil. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the oil flowing down from the cylinder head into the oil pan is prevented from being brought into contact with the chain-sprocket mechanism.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei.8-218835 discloses an engine constructed from a viewpoint described above such that an oil passage is defined inside a chain case by a separator (partition wall) provided on the back of a stretched side portion of a chain.
However, application of the aforesaid related art becomes difficult if the chain line is not situated at a position suitable for provision of the separator. Moreover, if it is tried to secure a sufficient cross-sectional area for the oil passage between the back of the chain and the chain cover, it is inevitable that the engine is made larger in size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was devised so as to solve the problem inherent in the related art and an object thereof is to provide a separator structure for a chain case which is constructed so as not only to increase the degree of freedom in position setting but also to obviate the necessity of enlargement of the engine.
The above-mentioned object can be attained by a separator structure of a chain case for partitioning the interior of the chain case in an internal combustion engine, according to the present invention, wherein the chain case accommodates a chain-sprocket mechanism for rotating a crankshaft and camshafts in an interlocking fashion, and at least one of a tensioner shoe for applying a predetermined tension to a slack side of a chain and a guide shoe for preventing the run-out of the chain on a stretched side thereof, the separator structure comprising:
an end face of the engine;
an inner surface of a chain cover joined to the end face of the engine, the chain case being defined by coupling the end face and the inner surface; and
a rib protruded from at least one of the end face of the engine and the inner surface of the chain cover,
wherein at least one of the tensioner shoe and the guide shoe has a surface to which a distal end edge of the rib is directed, and the surface is extended in a direction perpendicular to the crankshaft.
According to this construction, since the rib provided so as to protrude from the cylinder block or the chain cover cooperates with the tensioner shoe or the guide shoe so as to form a separator, an oil passage having a sufficient cross-sectional area can be defined without control from the chain line and necessity of enlargement of the engine. Moreover, since the separator is formed by making effective use of the tensioner shoe or the guide shoe, the amount of rib can be reduced and this can contribute to the suppression of increase in weight.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4993375 (1991-02-01), Akihiko
patent: 5647315 (1997-07-01), Saito
patent: 5887565 (1999-03-01), Ozeki et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Separator structure of chain case does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Separator structure of chain case, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Separator structure of chain case will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2617322