JP6284904B2 - Oil separator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil separation device that is provided in a blow-by gas flow path for flowing blow-by gas in an engine crankcase to an intake system and separates mist-like oil contained in blow-by gas.

  In an engine of an automobile or an industrial machine, blow-by gas leaking into a crankcase from a gap between a piston ring and a cylinder wall is generated in an intake system through a flow path connected to the intake system formed in a cylinder head cover (rocker cover). It is equipped with a blow-by gas reduction system that sucks in with negative pressure, returns it to the intake system, and supplies it to the combustion chamber together with the mixture. Since the crankcase is filled with engine oil, the blow-by gas sucked from the crankcase contains mist-like oil. Therefore, a blow-by gas reduction system is known that includes an oil separation device that separates and collects mist-like oil from blow-by gas (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2007-64155 A JP 2008-121478 A

  Various types of oil separation devices have been proposed in the past, but products with a high mist collecting effect are clogged with metal powder (carbon, etc.) contained in blow-by gas, resulting in separation bodies. (Element) needs to be replaced. There is a demand for a structure that does not cause clogging due to metal powder (carbon or the like), can be used semipermanently, and can more efficiently separate and collect mist-like oil.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an oil separation device capable of efficiently separating and collecting metal powder (carbon, etc.) and mist-like oil contained in blow-by gas. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an oil separation device that is provided in a blowby gas flow path for flowing blowby gas in an engine crankcase to an intake system and separates mist-like oil contained in blowby gas. A plurality of plate members having a plurality of small holes that are provided so as to partition a space connecting from the inflow port to the outflow port into a plurality of divided spaces ; Each of the divided spaces positioned on the downstream side includes a plurality of filter media positioned below the plate member and provided facing the plurality of small holes. The blow-by gas flowing in from the inflow port flows into the divided space on the most upstream side, and the plate member of the plate member that partitions the divided space on the most upstream side from the divided space on the downstream side. The blow-by gas passes through a small hole and is blown from above onto the filter medium provided in the divided space on the downstream side, and oil contained in blow-by gas is collected by the filter medium, and the downstream-side The blow-by gas left in the divided space passes through the small hole of the plate member that partitions the divided space on the downstream side from the divided space on the downstream side, and further on the further downstream side. The filter medium provided in the divided space is sprayed from above, the oil contained in the blow-by gas is collected by the filter medium, and the most downstream side of the filter medium is collected. Configured blowby gas left in split been space is discharged from the outlet. Furthermore, the diameter of the small hole of the plate member on the outlet side is formed smaller than the diameter of the small hole of the plate member on the inlet side .

In the oil separator configured as described above, a guide member that is provided at the inlet and rotates the flow of blow-by gas flowing in from the inlet in a spiral manner, and a blow-by gas that is spirally rotated by the guide member is sprayed. And an oil separation plate provided at a position, and the blow-by gas blown to the oil separation plate is preferably configured to flow into the divided space on the most upstream side .

Further, in the oil separator configured as described above, an oil storage chamber provided at a lower position of the oil separation plate and a lower opening of the oil storage chamber so that the amount of oil stored in the oil storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount. In this case, it is preferable to include a check valve that opens due to its own weight .

Moreover, the oil separation device having the above configuration preferably includes a discharge port (for example, the discharge port 29 in the embodiment) that discharges oil contained in the blow-by gas collected by the filter medium.

The oil separation device according to the present invention is configured to blow blow-by gas flowing in from the inlet through the plurality of small holes in the plate member and spray it onto the filter medium. By passing the blow-by gas through the small holes of the plate member , the flow rate of the blow-by gas can be increased, and the blow-by gas can be blown vigorously to the filter medium installed below the small holes . Therefore, metal powder (carbon etc.) and mist-like oil can be reliably and efficiently separated and collected from the blow-by gas in the filter medium.

Further, the blow-by gas blown to the filter medium through a small hole near the plate member in the flow inlet and is configured to cause spraying again filter medium is passed through the small holes of the adjacent plate member. Therefore , it is possible to increase the flow rate of blow-by gas and to spray the filter medium vigorously multiple times, thereby more reliably and efficiently using metal powder (carbon etc.) and mist oil contained in blow-by gas. It can be separated and collected.

In addition, if the structure is provided with a guide member that spirally rotates the flow of blow-by gas flowing in from the inlet, the blow-by gas is included in the blow-by gas by generating a cyclone effect by the guide member before blowing the blow-by gas to the filter medium. Metal powder (such as carbon) and mist-like oil having a relatively large particle size can be collected by centrifugation. Further, the remaining metal powder (carbon or the like) and mist-like oil having a relatively large particle size can be collected even in the plate member close to the inlet. And the oil and metal powder (carbon etc.) collected in this way can be returned in a crankcase from a discharge port .

Moreover, if it is set as the structure provided with the discharge port which discharges the oil collected by the filter medium , the oil collected by the filter medium can be returned in a crankcase or an oil tank from a discharge port .

1 is a perspective view of an oil separator according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the arrow II-II part in FIG. 1 of the oil separator which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An oil separator 1 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the following description, the directions of the up and down and left and right arrows shown in FIG.

The oil separation device 1 has a box-shaped device main body 10 having an internal space, and is configured to be attached to a cylinder head cover (rocker cover) of an engine. Connected to the apparatus main body 10 are an inlet 11 connected to a case side flow path communicating with the inside of the crankcase, and an intake system side flow path connected to an intake system (for example, a secondary side (exit side) of an air cleaner). The outlet 12 is formed. That is, the oil separator 1 is installed in a blow-by gas flow path for flowing blow-by gas in the crankcase to the intake system.

  Inside the apparatus main body 10, a guide member 13 provided at the inlet 11 for rotating the flow of blow-by gas flowing in from the inlet 11 in a spiral manner, and a blow-by gas rotated in a spiral manner by the guide member 13 are sprayed. A flat plate-like separation plate 14 provided at the position is provided. The separation plate 14 is disposed so as to extend up and down with a plane facing a position where blow-by gas is blown.

  In the apparatus main body 10, an oil storage chamber 15 extending downward is provided at a position below the separation plate 14. The oil storage chamber 15 opens downward, and a check valve 16 is provided in the lower opening. The check valve 16 is configured to open due to its own weight when the amount of oil stored in the oil storage chamber 15 exceeds a predetermined amount. A flow path connected to the inside of the crankcase via a check valve 16 is connected to the lower opening of the oil storage chamber 15. Therefore, when the check valve 16 is opened, the oil stored in the oil storage chamber 15 is returned to the crankcase through this flow path.

  A flat plate-like first small hole plate 17 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the apparatus main body 10 at the right side (outlet 12 side) position of the separation plate 14. The first small hole plate 17 is formed with a plurality of small holes 17a penetrating in the vertical direction. A first filter medium 21 extending in the left-right direction is provided below the first small hole plate 17. A plurality of protrusions 23 that support the first filter medium 21 are formed on the inner surface of the apparatus main body 10. The first filter medium 21 is made of a porous material (for example, a melamine resin foam (sponge) or a nonwoven fabric. The lower surface of the first filter medium 21 is exposed to the oil storage chamber 15.

  Inside the apparatus main body 10, a flat plate-like second small hole plate 18 extending in the left-right direction is provided on the right side (outlet 12 side) position of the first small hole plate 17. Similarly to the first small hole plate 17, a plurality of small holes 18a penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the second small hole plate 18 (only one small hole 18a is shown in FIG. Actually, a plurality are formed in the front-rear direction). A second filter medium 22 extending in the left-right direction is provided at a position below the second small hole plate 18. Similar to the first filter medium 21, the second filter medium 22 is made of a porous material (for example, melamine resin foam (sponge) or non-woven fabric).

  A flat plate-like third small hole plate 19 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the apparatus main body 10 at the right side (outlet 12 side) position of the second small hole plate 18. Similarly to the first small hole plate 17, a plurality of small holes 19 a penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the third small hole plate 19. The second filter medium 22 extends to a position below the third small hole plate 19, and one second filter medium 22 is provided at a position below the second and third small hole plates 18 and 19. The diameter of the small hole 19 a of the third small hole plate 19 is smaller than the diameter of the small hole 18 a of the second small hole plate 18. Further, the diameter of the small hole 18 a of the second small hole plate 18 is smaller than the diameter of the small hole 17 a of the first small hole plate 17.

Further, blow-by gas that has flowed into the apparatus main body 10 from the inlet 11 and blown onto the separation plate 14 is blown onto the first filter medium 21 through the small holes 17a from above the first small hole plate 17. A first flow path forming plate 25 is provided to form a flow path for guiding the flow. In addition, a second flow path formation that forms a flow path for guiding the blow-by gas blown to the first filter medium 21 through the small holes 18a from above the second small hole plate 18 and sprayed to the second filter medium 22 is formed. Plates 26 are provided. Further, blow-by gas blown to the second filter medium 22 through the small holes 18a of the second small hole plate 18 is blown to the second filter medium 22 through the small holes 19a from above the third small hole plate 19. Third flow path forming plates 27 and 27 are provided to form flow paths that guide the flow. Furthermore, a fourth flow path forming plate 28 that guides the blow-by gas blown to the second filter medium 22 through the small holes 19a of the third small hole plate 19 to the outlet 12 is provided.

  Inside the apparatus main body 10, a discharge port 29 is provided in the vicinity of the right (outlet 12 side) end of the second filter medium 22. A pipe communicating with the oil in the engine oil tank is connected to the discharge port 29.

  In the oil separating apparatus 1 configured as described above, when blow-by gas from the crankcase flows into the apparatus main body 10 from the inflow port 11, the flow of the blow-by gas is rotated spirally by the guide member 13. Thereby, a cyclone effect is generated, and metal powder (carbon or the like) contained in blow-by gas and mist-like oil having a relatively large particle diameter are centrifuged. Further, the blowby gas rotating in a spiral shape is blown onto the separation plate 14. The metal powder and the mist-like oil having a relatively large particle size are separated from the blow-by gas also by the collision with the separation plate 14. The oil or the like thus separated falls by its own weight and is stored in the oil storage chamber 15, and when the oil or the like in the oil storage chamber 15 exceeds a predetermined amount, the check valve 16 is opened, and this oil or the like is supplied to the crankcase. It is designed to return inside. By collecting the metal powder (carbon or the like) at this stage, clogging of the small holes after the second small hole plate 18 having a further reduced diameter is prevented.

  The blow-by gas blown to the separation plate 14 passes through the plurality of small holes 17 a from above the first small hole plate 17 and is blown to the first filter medium 21. At this time, the blow-by gas is allowed to pass through the small holes 17a, thereby increasing the flow rate of the blow-by gas and blowing the blow-by gas to the first filter medium 21 vigorously. Thus, mist-like oil or the like that has not been separated from the blow-by gas due to centrifugal separation by the guide member 13 and collision with the separation plate 14 is separated and collected by the first filter medium 21. The oil or the like collected in the first filter medium 21 falls by its own weight, is stored in the oil storage chamber 15, and is returned to the crankcase as described above.

  The blow-by gas sprayed on the first filter medium 21 passes through the plurality of small holes 18 a from above the second small hole plate 18 and is sprayed on the second filter medium 22. Also here, the blow-by gas is passed through the small holes 18a to increase the flow rate of the blow-by gas and blow the blow-by gas to the second filter medium 22 vigorously. As a result, mist-like oil or the like that has not been separated from the blow-by gas also in the first filter medium 21 is separated and collected in the second filter medium 22.

  Further, the blow-by gas blown to the second filter medium 22 through the small holes 18 a of the second small hole plate 18 passes through the plurality of small holes 19 a from above the third small hole plate 19 and passes through the second filter medium 22. Is sprayed on. Also here, the blow-by gas is passed through the small holes 19a to increase the flow rate of the blow-by gas and blow the blow-by gas to the second filter medium 22 vigorously. As a result, mist-like oil or the like that has not been separated from the blow-by gas so far is separated and collected by the second filter medium 22. The oil or the like collected in the second filter medium 22 flows out from the right end (outlet 12 side) end of the second filter medium 22 by the flow of blow-by gas, and is returned from the discharge port 29 to the engine oil tank. ing.

  The blow-by gas from which the mist-like oil or the like has been removed by the centrifugal separation by the guide member 13, the collision with the separation plate 14, and the separation and collection in the first and second filter media 22 as described above is discharged from the outlet 12. Returned to the engine intake system.

  As described above, according to the oil separation device 1, the guide member 13 that rotates the flow of the blow-by gas flowing in from the inflow port 11 spirally is provided. Therefore, the cyclone effect can be generated by the guide member 13, and the metal powder (carbon or the like) contained in the blow-by gas and the mist-like oil having a relatively large particle size can be centrifuged. Furthermore, since the blow-by gas rotated spirally is blown onto the separation plate 14, the metal powder and the mist-like oil having a relatively large particle diameter can be more reliably separated from the blow-by gas. The oil or the like thus separated can be returned from the oil storage chamber 15 into the crankcase.

  Further, the blow-by gas blown to the separation plate 14 is configured to pass through the plurality of small holes 17 a in the first small hole plate 17 and to be blown to the first filter medium 21. Therefore, the flow rate of the blow-by gas can be increased by passing the blow-by gas through the small holes 17 a, and the blow-by gas can be blown vigorously to the first filter medium 21 installed below the small hole plate 17. Accordingly, the first filter medium 21 reliably and efficiently separates the metal powder (such as carbon) and the mist-like oil that have not been separated from the blow-by gas by the centrifugal separation by the guide member 13 and the collision with the separation plate 14. Can be collected.

  Further, the blow-by gas sprayed on the first filter medium 21 passes through the plurality of small holes 18 a in the second small hole plate 18 and is sprayed on the second filter medium 22, and further, the plurality of small holes 19 a in the third small hole plate 19. Is passed through and sprayed onto the second filter medium 22. Therefore, the flow rate of blow-by gas is increased and the first and second filter media 21 and 22 are blown vigorously multiple times, so that the metal powder (carbon, etc.) contained in the blow-by gas, mist-like oil, etc. It can be separated and collected more reliably and efficiently.

  A discharge port 29 is provided in the vicinity of the end of the second filter medium 22 on the outlet 12 side. Therefore, the oil collected by the second filter medium 22 and flowing out from the end of the second filter medium 22 by the flow of blow-by gas can be returned from the discharge port 29 into the oil tank of the engine.

  Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described so far, the scope of the present invention is not limited to that shown in the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first to third small hole plates 17 to 19 are provided side by side in the direction from the inflow port 11 to the outflow port 12, and three times passing through the small holes and spraying the filter medium three times. However, the number of small hole plates is not particularly limited, and one, two, four or more small hole plates may be provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a pipe communicating with the oil in the engine oil tank is connected to the discharge port 29 and the oil flowing out from the second filter medium 22 is returned to the oil tank. A valve similar to the check valve 16 may be provided to return the oil flowing out from the second filter medium 22 back into the crankcase. In the above-described embodiment, the oil separation device 1 is described as being attached to the cylinder head cover (rocker cover) of the engine. However, the oil separation device 1 is attached to the outside of the rocker cover or other parts of the engine. You may do it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oil separator 10 Apparatus main body 11 Inlet 12 Outlet 13 Guide member 14 Separation plate (flow-path formation member) 15 Oil storage chamber (1st discharge port) 17 1st small hole plate 18 2nd small hole plate 19 3rd Small hole plate 21 First filter medium 22 Second filter medium 25 First flow path forming plate (flow path forming member)
26 Second channel forming plate (channel forming member)
27 Third flow path forming plate (flow path forming member)
28 Fourth channel forming plate (channel forming member)
29 outlet (second outlet)

Claims (4)

An oil separator that is provided in a blow-by gas flow path for flowing blow-by gas in an engine crankcase to an intake system and separates mist-like oil contained in blow-by gas,
A plurality of plate members provided with a plurality of small holes penetrating in the vertical direction, provided to partition the space connected from the inlet to the outlet into a plurality of divided spaces ;
Each of the divided spaces located on the downstream side of each of the plurality of plate members includes a plurality of filter media located below the plate members and provided facing the plurality of small holes ,
The small holes of the plate member that blow-by gas that has flowed in from the inflow port flows into the divided space on the most upstream side and partitions the divided space on the most upstream side from the divided space on the downstream side. The blow-by gas is blown from above to the filter medium provided in the divided space on the downstream side, and the oil contained in the blow-by gas is collected by the filter medium,
The blow-by gas left in the divided space on the downstream side passes through the small holes of the plate member that partitions the divided space on the downstream side from the divided space on the downstream side. The filter medium provided in the divided space on the further downstream side is sprayed from above, and the oil contained in the blow-by gas is collected by the filter medium,
The blow-by gas left in the divided space on the most downstream side is configured to be discharged from the outlet.
The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the small hole of the plate member on the outlet side is smaller than a diameter of the small hole of the plate member on the inlet side . A guide member that is provided at the inlet and rotates the flow of blow-by gas that flows in from the inlet in a spiral shape;
An oil separation plate provided at a position where blow-by gas rotated spirally by the guide member is sprayed,
2. The oil separator according to claim 1 , wherein blow-by gas blown to the oil separation plate is configured to flow into the divided space on the most upstream side . An oil storage chamber provided at a position below the oil separation plate;
The oil according to claim 2, further comprising a check valve provided at a lower opening of the oil storage chamber and opened by its own weight when the amount of oil stored in the oil storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount. Separation device. Oil separation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a discharge port for discharging the oil contained in the blow-by gas collected in the said filter medium.

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