JP6234830B2 - Member connection structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member, and both members are coupled in a compressed state.

  An internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle or the like has a crankcase and an oil pan at the bottom of a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders, a cylinder head at the top, a timing chain cover from the front, and a cylinder from the top. In many cases, a configuration is employed in which a head cover is attached (see, for example, the following patent document).

JP 2011-202743 A

  When the cylinder head cover covers the timing chain cover from above, the timing chain cover may be fastened with a gasket interposed between the upper edge of the timing chain cover and the front edge of the cylinder head cover.

  Due to the increasing demand for fuel efficiency and the like, in recent internal combustion engines, various accompanying devices such as a variable valve timing system (variable valve timing system) for variably controlling the opening / closing timing of intake and exhaust valves are large. It is being shaped. In particular, in the motor drive VVT that changes the rotational phase of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft using an electric motor as a drive source, the physique of the motor is large. Therefore, it is necessary to form the upper edge of the timing chain cover engaged with the motor into a non-linear shape with a part protruding upward. This means that the seal line between the timing chain cover and the cylinder head cover becomes non-linear.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a seal line between the timing chain cover 1x and the cylinder head cover 2x. The upper edge of the timing chain cover 1x and the front edge of the cylinder head cover 2x each have two flat edges 11x, 12x, 21x, 22x that extend in a substantially horizontal direction and are displaced from each other in the vertical direction. The oblique edges 13x, 14x, 23x, and 24x located on the outer side of the two and oblique edges 15x and 25x that are connected so as to connect the two flat edges 11x, 12x, 21x, and 22x are formed. The flat edges 11x and 21x on the left in the figure are biased upward from the flat edges 12x and 22x on the right. The motor and cylinder of the motor drive VVT assembled to the intake camshaft located on the left in the figure The intention is to avoid interference with the head cover 2x.

  The gasket 3x seals between the members 1x and 2x while being sandwiched and compressed by the members 1x and 2x. The gasket 3x is bonded in advance to one of the members 1x and 2x, for example, the cylinder head cover 2x.

  In order to clamp the substantially entire area of the gasket 3x evenly, the distance d1x between the flat edge 11x and the flat edge 21x, the distance d2x between the flat edge 12x and the flat edge 22x, the oblique edge 13x and the oblique edge 23x, Distance d3x, the distance d4x between the oblique edge 14x and the oblique edge 24x, and the distance d5x between the oblique edge 15x and the oblique edge 25x must all be equal. Therefore, in the process of bringing the cylinder head cover 2x closer to the timing chain cover 1x, the oblique edges 13x, 14x, 15x come into contact with the gasket 3x before the flat edges 11x, 12x, as shown in FIG.

  Then, the inclination angle of the oblique edges 13x, 14x, 23x, 24x with respect to the vertical direction is larger than the inclination angle of the oblique edges 15x, 25x with respect to the vertical direction (that is, the oblique edge 15x is closer to the vertical, and the oblique edges 13x, 14x Is closer to the horizontal), the oblique edge 15x located on the inner side first contacts the gasket 3x, and thereafter, the oblique edges 13x and 14x located on the outer side contact the gasket 3x. The slanted edge 15x that has previously contacted the gasket 3x pulls the gasket 3x inward as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. As a result, the sealing performance at the side end may be deteriorated.

  The present invention is intended to avoid the problem that the sealing performance of the side end portion is deteriorated in a structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member and both members are joined in a compressed state. It is aimed.

The present invention has a structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member and both members are joined in a compressed state, and the joint portion facing each other member via the gasket in each member. in the the two members members and the gasket extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of fastening the flat edge is in contact extends bent or curved in a direction non-parallel to the flat edge member and a gasket A first inclined edge that is in contact with the first inclined edge, and is bent or curved in a direction inward of the first inclined edge and non-parallel to the flat edge, and an intersection angle of the tangent to the fastening direction is the member and the gasket has Tsu Na larger than the crossing angle with respect to the fastening direction of the tangent line of the first oblique edge constituted the coupling structure of the members are provided a second oblique edge which contacts.

  When the first oblique edge is connected to the flat edge via an edge that forms an arc shape with the flat edge, and at least a part of the second oblique edge has an arc shape, It is preferable that the radius of curvature of the arcuate portion of the two oblique edges is set to be larger than the curvature radius of the edge interposed between the first oblique edge and the flat edge.

  According to the present invention, in a structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member and both members are joined in a compressed state, the problem of deterioration of the sealing performance at the side end can be avoided. .

The front view which shows the whole view of the timing chain cover which is one of the application objects of this invention, and a cylinder head cover. The front view which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The principal part expansion front sectional view of the embodiment. The front view which shows the moment when both members approach mutually in the same embodiment. The front view which shows typically the corner | angular part where the flat edge and the slanting edge cross in the embodiment. The front view which shows the coupling | bonding structure of a member for demonstrating the subject which this invention tends to solve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The front view which shows the moment when both members approach each other for demonstrating the subject which this invention tends to solve.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a timing chain cover 1 and a cylinder head cover 2 for an internal combustion engine, which is one of objects to which the present invention is applied. The upper edge portion of the timing chain cover 1 faces the front edge portion of the cylinder head cover 2, and a gasket 3 for sealing is interposed between the two. The timing chain cover 1 is made of metal, whereas the cylinder head cover 2 is a resin molded product. The gasket 3 is made of, for example, rubber that can be elastically deformed.

  In the internal combustion engine of the present embodiment, the phase change type VVT is mounted on both the intake valve and the exhaust valve. In particular, an electric motor drive VVT is assembled to an intake camshaft located on the left side in the drawing. A vane type VVT driven by hydraulic pressure (hydraulic pressure) is assembled to an exhaust camshaft located on the right side in the drawing. The outer shape of the electric motor serving as the drive source of the motor drive VVT is larger than the vane of the vane type VVT. The motor is positioned at the upper left corner 10 of the timing chain cover 1.

  FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 show member coupling structures in the present embodiment. In this structure, a gasket 3 is sandwiched between a timing chain cover 1 which is one member and a cylinder head cover 2 which is the other member, and both the members 1 and 2 are joined in a compressed state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the timing chain cover 1 and the cylinder head cover 2 are fastened along the vertical direction using bolts 4. The bolt 4 is a so-called stepped bolt, and the step portion 41 and the head portion 42 abut against the members 1 and 2, respectively, so that the distance between the members 1 and 2 is maintained constant, that is, the gasket after compression deformation. 3 functions to keep the shape and dimensions constant.

  In the present embodiment, the seal line between the timing chain cover 1 and the cylinder head cover 2 is bent or curved in a front view to form a non-linear shape. More specifically, two flat edges 11 extending in a substantially horizontal direction and deviating from each other in the vertical direction are respectively provided on the upper edge portion of the timing chain cover 1 and the front edge portion of the cylinder head cover 2 that are joined via the gasket 3. 12, 21, 22, the first oblique edges 13, 14, 23, 24 connected to the outer ends of the flat edges 11, 12, 21, 22 and the two flat edges 11, 12, 21, 22 are connected to each other. Are formed, and second outermost flat edges 17, 18, 27, 28 connected to outer ends (and lower ends) of the first inclined edges 11, 12, 21, 22 are formed. Yes.

  The flat edges 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28 extend in a horizontal direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the members 1, 2 are fastened, that is, the vertical direction. The oblique edges 13, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25 extend by bending or bending in a direction non-parallel to the flat edges 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28. In particular, the second oblique edges 15 and 25 have a partial arc shape when viewed from the front.

  The flat edge 11 at the upper end of the timing chain cover 1 is parallel to the flat edge 21 at the front end of the cylinder head cover 2. Similarly, the flat edge 12 is parallel to the flat edge 22, the flat edge 17 is parallel to the flat edge 27, the flat edge 18 is parallel to the flat edge 28, and the beveled edge 13 is parallel to the beveled edge 23. The oblique edge 14 is parallel to the oblique edge 24, and the oblique edge 15 is parallel to the oblique edge 25.

  The reason why the left flat edges 11 and 21 in the drawing are biased upward from the right flat edges 12 and 22 is that the electric VVT is arranged below the flat edges 11 and 21. This is to avoid the interference of the large electric motor with the cylinder head cover 2. The hydraulic VVT is disposed below the right flat edges 12 and 22 in the drawing. The fact that the flat edges 11, 12, 21, and 22 are floating at a high position when viewed from the outer ends of both members 1 and 2 means that the bolt 4 for tightening both members 1 and 2 interferes with VVT. Helped to avoid.

  Above the right flat edge 22 of the cylinder head cover 2, a hydraulic fluid port 20 is formed for supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the hydraulic VVT vane (which serves as a hydraulic fluid inlet / outlet). The The upper edge of the hydraulic fluid port 20 is substantially at the same height as the upper surface of the portion directly above the left flat edge 21 in the cylinder head cover 2. An OCV (Oil Control Valve, not shown) is connected to the hydraulic fluid port 20.

  The gasket 3 sandwiched between the members 1 and 2 is bonded in advance to one of the members 1 and 2. In the illustrated example, the gasket 3 is bonded to the downward surface of the front end portion of the cylinder head cover 2.

  In order to clamp the substantially entire area of the gasket 3 evenly, the distance d1 between the flat edge 11 and the flat edge 21, the distance d2 between the flat edge 12 and the flat edge 22, the first oblique edge 13 and the first edge A distance d3 between the inclined edge 23, a distance d4 between the first inclined edge 14 and the first inclined edge 24, a distance d5 between the second inclined edge 15 and the second inclined edge 25, a flat edge 17 and The distance d6 between the flat edge 27 and the distance d7 between the flat edge 18 and the flat edge 28 must be generally equal (all of d1 to d7 are completely equal or substantially equal). Therefore, in the process of bringing the cylinder head cover 2 closer to the timing chain cover 1, the slant edges 13, 14, 15 contact the gasket 3 before the flat edges 11, 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the intersection angle γ (acute angle) with respect to the vertical direction of the tangent line of the second oblique edges 15 and 25 is the intersection angle α (with the acute angle) with respect to the vertical direction of the tangent line of the first oblique edges 13 and 23. And the second oblique edges 15 and 25 are laid down (approached horizontally) so as to be larger than an intersecting angle β (acute angle) of the tangent lines of the first oblique edges 14 and 24 with respect to the vertical direction. In other words, the curvature radii R1 and R2 of the portions of the second oblique edges 15 and 25 are set to a predetermined value or more, and are larger than the structures shown in FIGS. The curvature radii R1 and R2 are larger than the curvature radii R3 and R4 of the edges interposed between the first oblique edges 13 and 23 and the flat edges 17 and 27, and the first oblique edges 14 and 24 and the flat edges 18 and 28 are larger than the curvature radii R5 and R6 of the edge interposed between them.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, in the process of bringing the cylinder head cover 2 closer to the timing chain cover 1, the gasket 3 is positioned on the outer side of the timing checker cover 1, i.e., the timing chain cover 1. The first slanted edges 13 and 14 are first brought into contact with the gasket 3, and then the second slanted edge 15 located inward is brought into contact with the gasket 3. Therefore, the second inclined edge 15 of the timing chain cover 1 is prevented from pulling the gasket 3 inward.

  Incidentally, the intersection angle α and the intersection angle β may be equal, or one may be larger than the other. In the illustrated example, the intersection angle α is equal to the intersection angle β. In view of the fact that the second oblique edge 15 pulls the gasket 3 to the left in the figure, the intersection angle β relating to the first oblique edges 14 and 24 on the right side in the figure is always the intersection relating to the second oblique edges 15 and 25. Although the angle γ needs to be smaller (that is, the first oblique edges 14, 24 are closer to the vertical than the second oblique edges 15, 25), the crossing angle α related to the left first oblique edges 13, 23 is It can be said that it is not necessarily smaller than the intersection angle γ.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the curvature radii of the corners 16 and 26 where the flat edges 11 and 21 and the second oblique edges 15 and 25 connected to the flat edges 11 and 21 intersect with each other are set to a predetermined value or more. It is larger than the structure shown in.

  It supplements regarding the utility of the curvature radius R1, R2 of the 2nd bevel edges 15 and 25 mentioned above, and the curvature radius of the corners 16 and 26. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, if the curvature radii of the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the curvature radii of the corners 16 and 26 are small, the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the There is an increased possibility that the compression of the gasket 3 at the corners 16 and 26 is weakened. For example, when the position of the oblique edge 25 of the cylinder head cover 2 is deviated in a direction (rightward) orthogonal to the fastening direction as indicated by a chain line in the drawing, the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the corners 16 and 26 are provided. In this case, the gasket 3 is not clamped sufficiently strongly, and the sealing performance at that location is significantly deteriorated.

  In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the curvature radii R1 and R2 of the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the curvature radii of the corners 16 and 26 are large, manufacturing variations of the members 1 and 2 occur. Even if it occurs, the compression of the gasket 3 at the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the corners 16 and 26 is difficult to weaken. For example, even when the position of the oblique edge 25 of the cylinder head cover 2 is deviated in a direction (rightward) orthogonal to the fastening direction as indicated by a chain line in the drawing, the second oblique edges 15 and 25 and the corner 16 The clamping pressure of the gasket 3 at 26 is strong, and the sealing performance at that location does not deteriorate so much.

  In the present embodiment, the gasket 3 is sandwiched between one member 1 and the other member 2, and both the members 1 and 2 are joined in a compressed state. Is substantially perpendicular to the direction (vertical direction) in which the two members 1 and 2 are fastened to a joint portion (the upper edge portion of the timing chain cover 1 and the front edge portion of the cylinder head cover 2) facing the counterpart member. The flat edges 11, 12, 21, 22 extending in the direction (horizontal direction) and bent or curved in a direction non-parallel to the flat edges 11, 12, 21, 22 in the vicinity of the side edge of the joint portion. The first oblique edges 13, 14, 23, and 24 that extend, and bends or curves in a direction non-parallel to the flat edges 11, 12, 21, and 22 on the inner side of the side end of the joint portion. And how to fasten the tangents Of the members 1 and 2 provided with second oblique edges 15 and 25 in which an intersection angle γ with respect to the tangent line of the first oblique edges 13, 14, 23 and 24 is greater than the intersection angles α and β with respect to the fastening direction. A bonded structure was constructed.

  According to this embodiment, the second inclined edge 15 on the inner side is prevented from contacting the gasket 3 before the first inclined edges 13 and 14 on the outer side and pulling the gasket 3 inward. The Therefore, deterioration of the sealing performance at the side end is avoided. Since the necessity of reducing the tolerances of the members 1 and 2 (strictening the dimensional accuracy of the members 1 and 2) is reduced for the purpose of ensuring the sealing performance, the manufacturing cost of the members 1 and 2 can be reduced. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first oblique edges 13 and 14 are connected to the flat edges 17 and 18 via an arc-shaped edge with the flat edges 17 and 18, and the second oblique edges 15. , 25 has an arc shape, and the curvature radii R1, R2 of the arcuate portions of the second oblique edges 15, 25 are defined as the first oblique edges 13, 14 and the flat edge 17, 18 is set to be larger than the curvature radius R3, R4, R5, R6 of the edge interposed between them (however, the arc center of R1 to R6 is not on the other member 2 side but on the one member 1 side). . Thus, even if the accuracy (such as the accuracy of the position and the inclination angle) of the second inclined edges 15 and 25 located inward compared to the first inclined edges 13, 14, 23 and 24 is somewhat lower, The sealing performance at the edges 15 and 25 and the corners 16 and 26 can be kept high.

  In the present embodiment, the one member 1 is a timing chain cover of the internal combustion engine, and the other member 2 is a cylinder head cover. The front edge portion of the cylinder head cover 2 is attached to the upper edge portion of the timing chain cover 1 in the gasket. 2, the upper edge portion of the timing chain cover 1 and the front edge portion of the cylinder head cover 2 are displaced from each other along the vertical direction that is the fastening direction. Flat edges 11, 12, 21, and 22 are present, the first oblique edges 13, 14, 23, and 24 are connected to the outer ends of the flat edges 11, 12, 21, and 22, respectively, and the flat edges 11, 12 are provided. , 21 and 22 are connected to the second oblique edges 15 and 25 so as to connect the inner ends thereof, and an electric VVT is arranged below the upper flat edges 11 and 21, Hydraulic fluid port 20 for supplying VVT to the working fluid pressure of the above hydraulically flat edges 12 and 22 are arranged.

  For this reason, the motor serving as the drive source of the motor drive VVT and the cylinder head cover 2 do not interfere with each other, and further, the hydraulic fluid port 20 and the OCV connected thereto do not protrude greatly upward from the uppermost edge of the cylinder head cover 2. The external dimensions (particularly the vertical direction) of the internal combustion engine as a whole can be made compact, and it is easy to fit in a limited space in the engine room.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. In particular, the application target of the present invention is not limited to the timing chain cover 1 and the cylinder head cover 2 of the internal combustion engine.

  Other specific configurations of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member and both members are coupled in a compressed state.

1 ... One member (timing chain cover)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Position of electric motor 11, 12, 17, 18 ... Flat edge 13, 14 ... First oblique edge 15 ... Second oblique edge 2 ... The other member (cylinder head cover)
20 ... Hydraulic fluid ports 21, 22, 27, 28 ... Flat edges 23, 24 ... First oblique edges 25 ... Second oblique edges 3 ... Gaskets α, β ... Intersection angle γ ... The angle of intersection of the tangent line of the second bevel to the fastening direction

Claims (2)

A structure in which a gasket is sandwiched between one member and the other member and both members are joined in a compressed state,
In the joint portion facing the counterpart member via the gasket in each member,
A flat edge that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the two members are fastened and in which the member and the gasket are in contact ;
A first slanted edge extending in a direction that is not parallel to the flat edge and bent or curved, and the member and the gasket are in contact with each other;
The first oblique edge is bent or curved in a direction parallel to the flat edge and non-parallel to the flat edge, and an intersection angle of the tangent to the fastening direction is the fastening direction of the tangent of the first oblique edge. coupling structure member and the member and a gasket are Tsu Na larger than the crossing angle is provided and a second oblique edge which contacts against. The first oblique edge is connected to the flat edge via an edge that forms an arc shape with the flat edge, and at least a part of the second oblique edge has an arc shape;
2. The coupling of members according to claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of the arcuate portion of the second oblique edge is set to be larger than a curvature radius of an edge interposed between the first oblique edge and the flat edge. Construction.

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