JP6323830B2 - Engine unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine unit.

  Conventionally, an engine that operates by mixing a combustible gas such as natural gas or city gas with air and burning it is known (see Patent Document 1). Such an engine is provided with an oil pan for receiving lubricating oil. The lubricating oil is sucked up from the oil pan, sent to the movable parts in various places, and returned to the oil pan again.

  By the way, the lubricating performance of the lubricating oil gradually deteriorates due to a change in chemical structure, mixing of foreign matters, and the like. For this reason, there has been an engine unit that includes an oil tank and does not require replacement of the lubricating oil over a long period of time by increasing the amount of lubricating oil (see Patent Document 2). However, such an engine unit has a problem that the time for discharging the lubricating oil becomes long in the operation of replacing the lubricating oil. Therefore, a technique for forcibly sending out the lubricating oil and discharging all the lubricating oil in a short time has been demanded.

JP 2007-132281 A JP 2008-38781 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of forcibly sending out lubricating oil and discharging all the lubricating oil in a short time in an engine unit including an oil tank. As a result, it aims at providing the technique which shortens the time required for replacement | exchange of lubricating oil and can improve maintainability.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an engine, an oil tank that stores the lubricating oil of the engine, a first pipe that sends the lubricating oil from the engine to the oil tank, and the lubricating oil from the oil tank to the engine. An oil pump that pumps the lubricating oil, a drain valve that extracts the lubricating oil from a path through which the lubricating oil flows, and a gate valve that opens or closes the path through which the lubricating oil flows The oil pump is arranged in the middle of the second pipe, the drain valve is arranged in the middle of the second pipe and downstream of the oil pump, and the gate valve is In the middle of the second pipe, it is arranged downstream of the drain valve.

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 1, the engine unit includes an oil pump for pumping lubricating oil, a drain valve for extracting the lubricating oil from the path of the lubricating oil flows, opens or closes the path lubricating oil flows And a gate valve. The oil pump is arranged in the middle of the second pipe, the drain valve is arranged in the middle of the second pipe and downstream of the oil pump, and the gate valve is arranged in the middle of the second pipe. Arranged downstream. Accordingly, when the drain valve is operated to discharge the lubricating oil, a path (discharge path) for discharging the lubricating oil is opened. Further, when the gate valve is operated, a route (circulation route) for circulating the lubricating oil is closed. In addition, since the lubricating oil is forcibly sent out by the oil pump, all the lubricating oil can be discharged in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for the replacement of the lubricating oil and improve the maintainability.

The figure which shows an engine unit. The figure which shows the structure of an engine. The figure which shows the lubricating oil path | route in an engine inside. The figure which shows the structure of an oil tank. The figure which shows the flow direction of the lubricating oil in an oil tank inside. The figure which shows the structure which replenishes lubricating oil to an oil tank. The figure which shows the lubricating oil path | route in the whole engine unit. The figure which shows the condition which has discharged | emitted lubricating oil. The figure which shows the lubricating oil path | route in the whole engine unit. The figure which shows the condition which has discharged | emitted lubricating oil. The figure which shows the lubricating oil path | route in the whole engine unit. The figure which shows the lubricating oil path | route in an engine inside.

  The engine unit 100 according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an engine unit 100.

  The engine unit 100 is used as a power source for a gas heat pump. The engine unit 100 includes an engine 1. The engine unit 100 includes an oil tank 2.

  First, the structure of the engine 1 will be briefly described.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the engine 1.

  The engine 1 operates by mixing a combustible gas such as natural gas or city gas with air and burning it. The engine 1 mainly includes a main body portion 11, an intake passage portion 12, and an exhaust passage portion 13.

  The main body 11 converts energy obtained by burning the fuel into rotational motion. The main body 11 mainly includes a cylinder block 111, a cylinder head 112, a piston 113, a crankshaft 114, a head cover 115, and an oil pan 116.

  The main body 11 is combusted by a cylinder 11c provided in the cylinder block 111, a piston 113 slidably accommodated in the cylinder 11c, and a cylinder head 112 disposed so as to face the piston 113. Chamber C is configured. That is, the combustion chamber C refers to an internal space whose volume changes due to the sliding motion of the piston 113. The piston 113 is connected to the crankshaft 114 by a connecting rod, and the crankshaft 114 is rotated by the sliding motion of the piston 113. A head cover 115 is provided above the cylinder head 112. In addition, an oil pan 116 is provided below the cylinder block 111. Lubricating oil L is accumulated in the oil pan 116.

  The intake passage portion 12 mixes combustible gas and air and guides them to the combustion chamber C. The intake path portion 12 is mainly composed of a mixer 121 (see FIG. 1) and an intake manifold 122.

  The mixer 121 supplies a combustible gas to air sucked from the outside to create an air-fuel mixture. The mixer 121 is attached to one end of the intake manifold 122. The intake manifold 122 guides the air-fuel mixture created by the mixer 121 to each combustion chamber C. The intake manifold 122 is formed to branch to each combustion chamber C so as to guide the air-fuel mixture to the four combustion chambers C. The intake manifold 122 is connected to the head cover 115 by a pipe. This is to prevent the internal pressure of the cylinder block 111 and the head cover 115 from increasing.

  The exhaust path portion 13 guides the exhaust discharged from the combustion chamber C to the outside. The exhaust passage portion 13 is mainly composed of an exhaust manifold 131 and a catalytic converter 132 (see FIG. 1).

  The exhaust manifold 131 guides the exhaust discharged from each combustion chamber C to the catalytic converter 132. The exhaust manifold 131 is formed so as to merge from each combustion chamber C so as to guide the exhaust from the four combustion chambers C. The catalytic converter 132 removes off-flavors caused by aldehydes. The catalytic converter 132 oxidizes aldehydes using a catalytic reaction with platinum or the like. A heat exchanger 133 that heats water using exhaust gas is attached to the downstream side of the catalytic converter 132 (see FIG. 1).

  Hereinafter, the lubricating oil path in the engine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a lubricating oil path inside the engine 1. In addition, the arrow in a figure represents the direction through which the lubricating oil L flows.

  The lubricating oil L is sucked up by the strainer 14 and guided to the oil passage of the cylinder block 111. The strainer 14 is a metal pipe and extends an oil passage formed in the cylinder block 111 downward. The strainer 14 is provided with a skirt 14S that covers the suction port 14i facing downward, and is designed not to suck air.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L passes through the oil passage of the cylinder block 111 and is guided to the oil pump 15 attached to the cylinder block 111. The oil pump 15 is a so-called trochoid pump, and is sent out by increasing the pressure of the lubricating oil L. The oil pump 15 includes a relief valve and is designed so that the pressure of the lubricating oil L does not exceed a predetermined value.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L passes through the oil passage of the cylinder block 111 and is guided to the oil filter 16 attached to the cylinder block 111. The oil filter 16 is a so-called cartridge filter, and removes foreign matters using filter paper. The oil filter 16 is provided with a relief valve and is designed not to block the lubricating oil L even if the filter paper is clogged.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L passes through the oil passage of the cylinder block 111 and is guided to the oil gallery 11 g of the cylinder block 111. The oil gallery 11g is a space formed in the cylinder block 111, and a plurality of oil passages extend from the oil gallery 11g. Therefore, the lubricating oil L guided to the oil gallery 11g is distributed to the movable parts at various places.

  For example, a part of the lubricating oil L passes through the oil passage of the cylinder block 111 and is guided to the bearing mount 11 m of the cylinder block 111. The bearing mount 11m is a structural wall formed in the cylinder block 111, and supports the crankshaft 114 together with a bearing cap 11c fixed to the bearing mount 11m. Thus, the lubricating oil L guided to the bearing mount 11m lubricates the bearing (movable part) of the crankshaft 114. In addition, after lubricating the bearing of the crankshaft 114, the lubricating oil L overflows from the bearing and falls to the oil pan 116.

  Thus, the lubricating oil L is sucked up from the oil pan 116 and sent to the movable parts at various places, and is returned to the oil pan 116 again.

  Next, the structure of the oil tank 2 will be briefly described.

  FIG. 4 shows the structure of the oil tank 2.

  The oil tank 2 stores the lubricating oil L of the engine 1. The oil tank 2 is generally called a “sub tank”. Therefore, in the following, the sub tank 2 will be described.

  The sub tank 2 is a hollow container formed by welding plate materials. Therefore, the sub tank 2 can store a large amount of the lubricating oil L. An oil filler opening is provided in the upper part of the sub tank 2, and a tank cap 21 is attached to the oil filler opening. Furthermore, a level sensor 22 that can detect a drop in the oil level is attached to the upper portion of the sub tank 2. The sub tank 2 is connected to the cylinder block 111 by a pipe 23. This is to maintain an equilibrium between the internal pressure of the sub tank 2 and the internal pressure of the cylinder block 111.

  The sub tank 2 is connected to the oil pan 116 by the first pipe 3. The first pipe 3 sends the lubricating oil L from the engine 1 to the sub tank 2. More specifically, the first pipe 3 feeds the lubricating oil L from the oil pan 116 of the engine 1 to the sub tank 2. One end of the first pipe 3 is connected to the side surface of the oil pan 116 (see FIG. 7), and the other end is connected to the rear surface of the sub tank 2.

  Further, the sub tank 2 is connected to the oil pan 116 by the second pipe 4. The second pipe 4 sends the lubricating oil L from the sub tank 2 to the engine 1. More specifically, the second pipe 4 feeds the lubricating oil L from the sub tank 2 to the oil pan 116 of the engine 1. The second pipe 4 has one end connected to the front surface of the sub-tank 2 and the other end connected to the bottom surface of the oil pan 116 (see FIG. 7). In the engine unit 100, an oil cooler 41 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The oil cooler 41 can cool the lubricating oil L to a predetermined temperature.

  Hereinafter, the flow direction of the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow direction of the lubricating oil L inside the sub tank 2. In addition, the arrow in a figure represents the direction through which the lubricating oil L flows.

  First, the connection position of the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 4 will be specifically described.

  As described above, the first pipe 3 is connected to the rear surface of the sub tank 2. If it demonstrates in detail, the 1st pipe 3 is the rear surface of the subtank 2, and is connected to the right side rather than the center. Therefore, the lubricating oil L is sent to the right side of the center of the sub tank 2. Accordingly, the lubricating oil L sent to the sub tank 2 slowly turns to the left together with the surrounding lubricating oil L and diffuses throughout the sub tank 2.

  Furthermore, as described above, the second pipe 4 is connected to the front surface of the sub tank 2. If it demonstrates in detail, the 2nd pipe 4 is the front surface of the subtank 2, and is connected to the left side rather than the center. Therefore, the lubricating oil L is sent from the left side of the center of the sub tank 2. Accordingly, the lubricating oil L filling the sub tank 2 converges at the suction port of the second pipe 4 while gradually increasing the speed, and is sent out from the sub tank 2.

  In this way, the lubricating oil L diffuses and mixes inside the sub tank 2 and is sent out from the sub tank 2 again.

  Next, a structure for replenishing the subtank 2 with the lubricating oil L will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a structure in which the subtank 2 is supplemented with the lubricating oil L. The arrow in the figure represents the direction in which the lubricating oil L flows.

  In the engine unit 100, the main tank 5 is placed above the sub tank 2. The main tank 5 can store a large amount of lubricating oil L. An oil filler opening is provided in the upper part of the main tank 5, and a tank cap 51 is attached to the oil filler opening. The main tank 5 is connected to the sub tank 2 by an oil supply pipe 52. This is because the amount of lubricating oil in the sub tank 2 is kept constant by appropriately sending the lubricating oil L from the main tank 5 to the sub tank 2. This is done by controlling the operation of the oil pump 53.

  Next, the lubricating oil path in the entire engine unit 100 will be described. A structure for discharging the lubricating oil L from the lubricating oil path will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a lubricating oil path in the entire engine unit 100. FIG. 8 shows a situation where the lubricating oil L is being discharged. In addition, the arrow in a figure represents the direction through which the lubricating oil L flows.

  First, the lubricating oil L in the oil pan 116 is sent to the sub tank 2 through the first pipe 3. Since the first pipe 3 is connected to the lower layer portion of the oil pan 116, the lubricating oil L in a state in which sludge is often mixed is sent to the sub tank 2. The lubricating oil L sent to the sub tank 2 is temporarily stored in the sub tank 2. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L is deposited on the bottom of the sub tank 2.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 is sent to the oil pan 116 through the second pipe 4. Since the second pipe 4 is connected to the upper layer portion or the intermediate layer portion of the sub tank 2, the lubricating oil L in a state in which the sludge is hardly mixed is sent to the oil pan 116. Then, the lubricating oil L sent to the oil pan 116 is sucked up by the strainer 14 and sent to movable parts in various places. Note that the lubricating oil L returned to the oil pan 116 from the movable part is temporarily stored in the oil pan 116. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L settles on the bottom of the oil pan 116 and is sent to the sub tank 2.

  In this way, the lubricating oil L is sent from the oil pan 116 to the sub tank 2 by the first pipe 3 and is sent from the sub tank 2 to the oil pan 116 again by the second pipe 4. Here, this lubricating oil path is defined as “circulation path Pc”.

  By the way, the engine unit 100 includes a drain pipe 6. The drain pipe 6 is used when the lubricating oil L is discharged from the sub tank 2 or the like. The drain pipe 6 has one end connected to the middle part of the second pipe 4 and the other end open to the atmosphere. In the engine unit 100, a selector valve 43 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4, and the drain pipe 6 is connected via the selector valve 43. The selector valve 43 can guide the lubricating oil L to the drain pipe 6 according to the operation. Therefore, the lubricating oil L flows into the drain pipe 6 in the middle of the second pipe 4 and is discharged from the drain pipe 6.

  Thus, the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 passes through the second pipe 4 from the sub tank 2 and is discharged through the drain pipe 6. The lubricating oil L in the oil pan 116 is sent to the sub tank 2, and then discharged from the sub tank 2 through the second pipe 4 and the drain pipe 6. Here, this lubricating oil path is defined as “discharge path Px”.

  The technical features of the engine unit 100 will be described below.

  In the engine unit 100, an oil pump 42 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4. The oil pump 42 can increase the pressure of the lubricating oil L and send out the lubricating oil L. In the engine unit 100, a selector valve 43 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4 and downstream of the oil pump 42. The selector valve 43 switches the path through which the lubricating oil L flows. Specifically, the selector valve 43 switches the path through which the lubricating oil L flows to either the circulation path Pc or the discharge path Px. The selector valve 43 is a so-called three-way manual valve, and when one path is opened, the other path is closed. Therefore, when the selector valve 43 is operated to discharge the lubricating oil L, all the lubricating oil L flowing through the second pipe 4 is guided to the drain pipe 6.

  As described above, the engine unit 100 includes the oil pump 42 that pumps the lubricating oil L and the selector valve 43 that switches a path through which the lubricating oil L flows. The oil pump 42 is disposed in the middle part of the second pipe 4, and the selector valve 43 is disposed in the middle part of the second pipe 4 on the downstream side of the oil pump 42. As a result, when the selector valve 43 is operated to discharge the lubricating oil L, the path for discharging the lubricating oil L (discharge path Px) is opened, and the path for circulating the lubricating oil L (circulation path Pc) is opened. It will be blocked. In addition, since the lubricating oil L is forcibly sent out by the oil pump 42, all the lubricating oil can be discharged in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for the replacement of the lubricating oil L and improve the maintainability.

  Next, the engine unit 200 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  The engine unit 200 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the engine unit 100 described above. Therefore, the description will be given focusing on different portions.

  FIG. 9 shows a lubricating oil path in the entire engine unit 200. FIG. 10 shows a situation where the lubricating oil L is being discharged. In addition, the arrow in a figure represents the direction through which the lubricating oil L flows.

  First, the lubricating oil L in the oil pan 116 is sent to the sub tank 2 through the first pipe 3. Since the first pipe 3 is connected to the lower layer portion of the oil pan 116, the lubricating oil L in a state in which sludge is often mixed is sent to the sub tank 2. The lubricating oil L sent to the sub tank 2 is temporarily stored in the sub tank 2. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L is deposited on the bottom of the sub tank 2.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 is sent to the oil pan 116 through the second pipe 4. Since the second pipe 4 is connected to the upper layer portion or the intermediate layer portion of the sub tank 2, the lubricating oil L in a state in which the sludge is hardly mixed is sent to the oil pan 116. Then, the lubricating oil L sent to the oil pan 116 is sucked up by the strainer 14 and sent to movable parts in various places. Note that the lubricating oil L returned to the oil pan 116 from the movable part is temporarily stored in the oil pan 116. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L settles on the bottom of the oil pan 116 and is sent to the sub tank 2.

  In this way, the lubricating oil L is sent from the oil pan 116 to the sub tank 2 by the first pipe 3 and is sent from the sub tank 2 to the oil pan 116 again by the second pipe 4. Here, this lubricating oil path is defined as “circulation path Pc”.

  The engine unit 200 includes a drain pipe 6. The drain pipe 6 is used when the lubricating oil L is discharged from the sub tank 2 or the like. The drain pipe 6 has one end connected to the middle part of the second pipe 4 and the other end open to the atmosphere. In the engine unit 200, a drain valve 44 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4, and the drain pipe 6 is connected via the drain valve 44. The drain valve 44 can guide the lubricating oil L to the drain pipe 6 according to the operation. Therefore, the lubricating oil L flows into the drain pipe 6 in the middle of the second pipe 4 and is discharged from the drain pipe 6.

  Thus, the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 passes through the second pipe 4 from the sub tank 2 and is discharged through the drain pipe 6. The lubricating oil L in the oil pan 116 is sent to the sub tank 2, and then discharged from the sub tank 2 through the second pipe 4 and the drain pipe 6. Here, this lubricating oil path is defined as “discharge path Px”.

  Hereinafter, technical features of the engine unit 200 will be described.

  In the engine unit 200, an oil pump 42 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4. The oil pump 42 can increase the pressure of the lubricating oil L and send out the lubricating oil L. In the engine unit 200, a drain valve 44 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4 and downstream of the oil pump 42. The drain valve 44 extracts the lubricating oil L from the path through which the lubricating oil L flows. Further, in the engine unit 200, a gate valve 45 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4 on the downstream side of the drain valve 44. The gate valve 45 opens or closes the path through which the lubricating oil L flows. More specifically, the gate valve 45 is opened so that the lubricating oil L flows through the circulation path Pc or closed so that the lubricating oil L does not flow. The gate valve 45 is a so-called two-way electromagnetic valve, and opens or closes the circulation path Pc according to an electric signal. Therefore, when the drain valve 44 and the gate valve 45 are operated to discharge the lubricating oil L, all the lubricating oil L flowing through the second pipe 4 is guided to the drain pipe 6.

  As described above, the engine unit 200 opens or closes the oil pump 42 that pumps the lubricating oil L, the drain valve 44 that extracts the lubricating oil L from the path through which the lubricating oil L flows, and the path through which the lubricating oil L flows. And a gate valve 45. The oil pump 42 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4, the drain valve 44 is disposed in the middle of the second pipe 4 and downstream of the oil pump 42, and the gate valve 45 is disposed in the second pipe 4. It is arranged downstream of the drain valve 44 in the middle part. As a result, when the drain valve 44 is operated to discharge the lubricating oil L, the path for discharging the lubricating oil L (discharge path Pc) is opened. Further, when the gate valve 45 is operated, a path for circulating the lubricating oil L (circulation path Px) is closed. In addition, since the lubricating oil L is forcibly sent out by the oil pump 42, all the lubricating oil L can be discharged in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for the replacement of the lubricating oil L and improve the maintainability.

  Next, an engine unit 300 according to another embodiment will be described.

  The engine unit 300 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the engine units 100 and 200 described above. Therefore, the description will be given focusing on different portions.

  FIG. 11 shows a lubricating oil path in the entire engine unit 300. FIG. 12 shows a lubricating oil path inside the engine 1. In addition, the arrow in a figure represents the direction through which the lubricating oil L flows.

  First, the lubricating oil L in the oil pan 116 is sent to the sub tank 2 through the first pipe 3. Since the first pipe 3 is connected to the lower layer portion of the oil pan 116, the lubricating oil L in a state in which sludge is often mixed is sent to the sub tank 2. The lubricating oil L sent to the sub tank 2 is temporarily stored in the sub tank 2. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L is deposited on the bottom of the sub tank 2.

  Thereafter, the lubricating oil L in the sub tank 2 is sent to the cylinder block 111 through the second pipe 4. Since the second pipe 4 is connected to the upper layer portion or the intermediate layer portion of the sub tank 2, the lubricating oil L in a state in which the sludge is little mixed is sent to the cylinder block 111. And the lubricating oil L sent to the cylinder block 111 is distributed to the movable part of various places, without passing through the pump (oil pump 15: refer FIG. 3) incorporated in the engine 1. FIG. Note that the lubricating oil L returned to the oil pan 116 from the movable part is temporarily stored in the oil pan 116. At this time, sludge drifting in the lubricating oil L settles on the bottom of the oil pan 116 and is sent to the sub tank 2.

  As described above, the engine 1 includes the cylinder block 111 having a plurality of movable parts and provided with an oil passage for distributing the lubricating oil L to the movable parts. And the 2nd pipe 4 is connected to the cylinder block 111, and sends out the lubricating oil L to an oil path. As a result, the lubricating oil L sent from the sub tank 2 to the engine 1 is distributed to the movable parts in various places without going through the pump (oil pump 15: see FIG. 3) built in the engine 1. Then, since such a pump (oil pump 15: see FIG. 3) is unnecessary, the power for moving the pump can be turned to another driven mechanism. Therefore, the output loss of the engine 1 is reduced, and the performance of the engine 1 can be improved.

100 Engine unit 1 Engine 2 Oil tank (sub tank)
3 First pipe 4 Second pipe 5 Main tank 42 Oil pump 43 Selector valve 44 Drain valve 45 Gate valve 6 Drain pipe L Lubricating oil Pc Circulation path Px Discharge path

Claims (1)

Engine,
An oil tank for storing the engine lubricating oil;
A first pipe for sending lubricating oil from the engine to the oil tank;
In an engine unit comprising a second pipe for sending lubricating oil from the oil tank to the engine,
An oil pump that pumps lubricating oil;
A drain valve for extracting the lubricating oil from a path through which the lubricating oil flows;
A gate valve that opens or closes the route of the lubricating oil ,
The oil pump is disposed in the middle of the second pipe,
The drain valve is disposed in the middle of the second pipe on the downstream side of the oil pump,
The gate valve is disposed downstream of the drain valve in the middle of the second pipe .
An engine unit characterized by that.

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