Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a power drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an improved crank case of the power drive unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A conventional vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine 5 (hereinafter "engine") generally disposed at the lower half of the vehicle. This engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy by combustion of an air-fuel mixture within a combustion chamber of the engine. The engine, among other components, has a cylinder block comprising a cylinder head atop of the cylinder block and receiving a reciprocating piston from the bottom. On combustion of the 10 air-fuel mixture, the piston transfers the energy generated during combustion to a crankshaft through a connecting rod thereby driving the crankshaft. In this way, the reciprocating motion of the piston is converted to rotatory motion of the crankshaft. The crankshaft is housed inside a crankcase beneath the cylinder block. The crankcase is typically provided with oil channels to provide pressurized oil to 15 the different moving parts of the engine.
[0003] Typically, to enhance the efficiency and durability and for smooth operation of the crankshaft, the crankshaft is mounted in the crankcase through bearings on which combustion load is distributed. Due to this load, there is a displacement in the bearing (radial and axial) during operation of the vehicle. To 20 handle this load cast iron housings are provided in with the crankcase and the
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bearings are mounted with the cast iron housings as the crankcase which is made of aluminum may not carry the load over longer run. [0004] The crankcase includes two half members, including a left side crankcase member and a right-side crankcase member, provided on both the left and right side of the engine. In crankcase left side member is pre heated and the bearing is 5 pressed in the crankcase hole to from interference fit therewith. But in the crankcase right side, due to assembly constraints, it is not able to press fit the bearing in the bearing hole that may end up with clearance fit with the crankcase right side member.
[0005] As the ignition rate increases, the power from the piston is transferred to 10 crankshaft bearings. The right side bearing due to clearance fit moves the whole crankshaft assembly in axial and radial direction because of this noise and vibration is created. Hence a proper damping mechanism is required prevent the movement of the bearing inside the crankcase.
[0006] Also, over the period of time, due to continuous heat inside the engine 15 there may be thermal expansion which will further increase the clearance between the bearing and the respective hole/crankshaft hole of crankcase.
[0007] Therefore, there is an essential requirement for a solution that addresses the above-mentioned problems with conventional power drive units.
SUMMARY 20
[0008] Aspects of the present invention pertain to a power drive unit including a case assembly that includes a plurality of case members, the plurality of case members having one or more one opening, the one or more openings may be
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defined by one or more receiving portions of the plurality of case members, at least one groove provided on a predefined portion of at least one of the one or more receiving portions, and at least one aperture provided in at least one of the one or more receiving portions. The at least one aperture maybe fluidically connected to the at least one groove. 5 [0009] In other aspects of the present invention, at least one groove may be provided on an inner surface of the respective receiving portions.
[00010] In yet other aspects of the present invention, at least one aperture may be configured to fluidically connect the at least one groove with a fluid flow channel of the case assembly. 10
[00011] In yet other aspects of the present invention, at least one groove may be configured to receive a fluid from the fluid flow channel.
[00012] In yet other aspects of the present invention, at least one aperture may be connected to a portion of the fluid flow channel, proximal to the at least one groove and a fluid pump configured to supply a fluid through the fluid flow channel. 15
[00013] In yet other aspects of the present invention, the one or more one opening may be configured to accommodate one or more rotating members.
[00014] In yet other aspects of the present invention, one or more rotating members may be configured to rotatably mount a shaft in the case assembly.
[00015] In yet other aspects of the present invention, at least one groove may be 20 extended circumferentially in a range of 270 degrees to 320 degrees of the of the corresponding one or more receiving portions.
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[00016] In yet other aspects of the present invention, at least one groove may be defined with respect to a piston axis of the power drive unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the 5 description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and components.
[00018] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a power drive unit, in accordance 10 with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00019] Figure 2 depicts a sectional view of the power drive unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00020] Figure 3 depicts internal details of the sectional view of the power drive unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 15
[00021] Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a crankcase of the power drive unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00022] Figure 5 depicts a top view of the crankcase, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00023] Figure 6 depicts a sectional view of the crankcase (detail C portion), in 20 accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00024] Figure 7 depicts a perspective view of a crankcase, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
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[00025] Figure 8 depicts a sectional view of a crankcase having oil inlet portions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00026] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are 5 used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit 10 is indicated by the following claims.
[00027] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a wheel along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be 15 noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to 20 encompass equivalents thereof.
[00028] Aspect of present invention pertains to a power drive unit. In one aspect the power drive unit includes a case assembly which has a plurality of case
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members. The plurality of case members can be provided with one or more openings. The one or more openings is defined by one or more receiving portions. At least one groove and at least one aperture can be provided on a portion of at least one of the one or more receiving portions. [00029] The objective of the present invention is to provide an oil groove in a 5 crankcase proximal to an oil flow channel for dampening the noise inside the power unit.
[00030] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the oil groove, facing the one or more openings/crankshaft openings, at the maximum load bearing portion of the crankcase. 10
[00031] Referring to figure 1 of the present invention, a power drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, 100 is provided. The power drive unit 100 can be used for generating mechanical energy from chemical energy in a vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle can be 2 wheeled, 3 wheeled, 4 wheeled or multi wheeled, for the embodiment of the present invention, the power 15 drive unit 100 is of the 2 wheeled vehicle. Further, the power drive unit 100 can be an internal combustion engine of the 2 wheeled vehicle.
[00032] The power drive unit 100 is provided with a crank case assembly 200. The crankcase assembly 200 is provided in the power drive unit 100 to accommodate the plurality of components of the power drive unit 100. The crank assembly 200 20 is configured to have a plurality of case members 114, 116. The case members 114, 116 are provided to increase the strength of the crankcase assembly 200. The case members 114, 116 include a left side (LS) case member 114 and a right side (RS)
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case member 116. Further, the crankcase assembly 200 includes a clutch cover 112 and a magneto cover 110. The clutch cover 112 is provided with the crankcase assembly 200 to provide the additional safety for a clutch assembly inside the crankcase assembly 200, similarly the magneto cover 110 is provided to enhance the safety of magneto from the external dust, mud, stones etc. Furthermore, a 5 cylinder head 106 is provided with the power drive unit 100. The cylinder head 106 is provided which tends to mount on a cylinder block 108 together with the piston (not shown) and cylinder (not shown), it forms a part of the combustion chamber, whereas the cylinder block 108 is provided to form the support structure for the cylinder head and related components. Further, a cylinder cover 102 is 10 provided which provides the upper covering of the cylinder and the power drive unit 100. [00033] Referring to figure 2 and in conjunction with figure 3 where sectional views of the crankcase assembly 200 are shown. The crankcase assembly 200 is configured to mount a crankshaft 206 is operatively connected to a piston of the 15 power drive unit 100 by one or more attaching means. The crankshaft 206 transforms reciprocating motion of the piston(s) (not shown) into rotatory motion and transfers it to a camshaft (not shown) via a cam chain 214. Further, the power drive unit 100 is configured to have a centrifugal filter 210, the centrifugal filter 210 is provided to remove the particulates that would remain within the power 20 drive unit 100. Furthermore, a clutch assembly 208 is provided in the power drive unit 100, the clutch assembly 208 is configured to be in one or more states of drive such as in an engaged and in a disengaged, in the engaged state, the power is
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transmitted from the power drive unit 100 to wheels (not shown) of the vehicle though the transmission system and when the clutch assembly 208 is in the disengaged, the power is not transmitted to the wheels. [00034] In an embodiment, the power drive unit 100 having the crankshaft 206 which is connected to one or more openings 310a of the crankcase assembly 200. 5 The one or more openings 310a are provided onto the left side (LS) case member 114 and the right side (RS) case member 116. Further, the one or more openings 310a are configured to have a circular cross-section. In an embodiment, the one or more openings 310a is configured to accommodate one or more rotating members 204a, 204b. In an example, the one or more rotating members 204a, 204b can be 10 bearings. The one or more rotating members 204a, 204b are provided for the one or more openings 310a of the left side (LS) case member 114 and the right side (RS) case member 116. Furthermore, the one or more rotating members 204a, 204b can be connected via interference fit, welding or any other conventional methods.
[00035] At least one groove 202 is structurally provided between the one or more 15 openings 310a and the one or more rotating members 204a, 204b.
[00036] Referring to figure 4, a perspective view of a left side case member 114 of the crankcase assembly 200 is provided. The left side case member 114 is provided with an opening 310a. Further, the opening 310a is defined by a receiving portion 302a. For instance, the receiving portion 302a is configured to have a circular 20 cross-section and being configured to accommodate the respective rotating member 204a. In an embodiment, the receiving portion 302a is configured to have the at least one groove 202 onto the circumferential surface of the receiving portion
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320a such that the groove 202 faces the openings 310a. Further, the at least one groove 202 is configured to have at least one aperture 304. The at least one aperture 304 is provided to transfer the oil from a drain hole 402. The oil from the at least one aperture 304 is transferred to the at least one groove 202 which is placed between the receiving portion 302a and the respective rotating member 204a, 204b. 5 [00037] Referring to figure 5 in conjunction with figure 4, an oil flow channel of the left case member 114 is provided. The oil flow channel of the left case member 114 is provided with the drain hole 402. The drain hole 402 is configured to store oil for the lubrication inside the crankcase assembly 200. Further, an oil pump mounting portion 404 is provided. The oil pump mounting portion 404 is tends to 10 accommodate an oil pump (not shown), which tends to pump the oil inside the crankcase assembly 200. In an embodiment, an AA piston axis is provided for the reference to design the at least one groove 202. For the reference a minor sector “abo” is provided on to the one or more receiving portion 302a. The sector “abo” is drawn at an angle in the range from 0 to 90 degree from the center of the one or 15 more openings 310a. The sector “abo” is configured to have arc length of ab. The arc length “ab” is configured to be without the at least one groove 202. In an embodiment, the at least one groove 202 is provided onto a major sector “abo” arch length “ab”. In an embodiment, a minor arch “abo” area 410 is configured to not to have at least one groove 202. In an embodiment, the at least one groove 202 is 20 configured to be provided onto the circumference but at a maximum contact zone of the crankshaft 206 onto the one or more rotating members 204a, 204b of the one or more receiving portions 302a. The maximum contact zone is formed at the major
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arch “abo” portion 410a. Further, the at least one aperture 304 faces the at least one groove 202 such that oil in the oil groove will be present between the respective rotating member and the receiving portion of the crank case One or more oil flow channels 406, 408, 502 of an oil flow channel is provided in the case assembly n200. The one or more oil flow channels 406, 408, 502 comprising, a first channel 5 406, a second channel 408, a third channel 502 and a fourth channel 506. The first channel 406 tends to circulate the oil from the oil pump mounting portion 404 to other components of the power drive unit 100. [00038] Referring to figure 6 in conjunction with figure 8, the third channel 502 is connected to the at least one aperture 302. In an embodiment, the third channel 502 10 as shown in figure 8 is provided parallel to the oil pump mounting portion 404. The third channel 502 tends to directly connect to the at least aperture 302 which is connected to the groove 202. The oil groove is configured adjacent to the third oil channel. The oil in the groove tends to lubricate the one or more rotating member 204a, 204b. In addition, oil in the groove is filled in the gap between the 15 rotating member 204a, 204b and the respective receiving portion and can prevent movement of the respective rotating member. In addition, the oil in the groove acts as a damping material between respective the rotating member 204a, 204b and the receiving portion 302a. In an embodiment, the third channel 502 is perpendicular to the first channel 406. 20
[00039] In an embodiment, the orifice can be configured at lower end portion of the left case member 114 and accordingly can be connected to the proximal oil channel of the oil flow channel.
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[00040] In another embodiment, the orifice can be configured at upper end portion of the left case member 114 and accordingly can be connected to the proximal oil channel of the oil flow channel.
[00041] Referring to figure 7 where a left case member is shown. The left case member 114 is provided with the at least one groove 202 onto the receiving portion 5 302a such that the groove 202 faces the opening 310a. The at least one groove 202 is provided onto a predefined portion of the circumference of the receiving portion 302a. In an embodiment of the working example the least one groove 202 can be extending from 270 to 320 degrees along the circumference of the receiving portion 302a. Similarly, the predefined portion can be extended from 270 to 320 degrees 10 along the circumference of the receiving portion 302a. In addition, the predefined portion can be a portion of the case member where maximum load is transferred from the crankshaft shaft during operation of the vehicle.
[00042] In view of the above, the claimed limitations as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed limitations 15 enable the above solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies.
[00043] The claimed invention, as described, involves at least one groove which is provided circumferentially along the circumference of the one or more openings. The at least one groove tends to circulate the oil in the outer race of the one or more rotating member. The at least one groove tends to receive oil from the at least one 20 aperture.
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[00044] These specific functionalities demonstrate the practical and non-abstract nature of the invention. The choice and application of these technologies contribute to the invention's non-abstract nature.
[00045] The present invention tends to provide the increased durability of the one or more rotating members by providing proper oil at the maximum stress zones. 5 Further the mechanism provided in the present invention tends to dampen the crankshaft impact noise from the crankcase assembly. Due to proper oil flow channel the thermal expansion is reduced which tends to decrease the heat inside the engine. Further, the clearance between the one or more receiving portion and the one or more rotating member being filled by the oil which tends to reduce the 10 noise and decrease the thermal expansion.
[00046] In summary, the claimed invention provides a specific, tangible, and practical solution to dampen the noise and increase the durability of the power drive unit, making it non-abstract. The combination of specific components, functionalities, and applications, along with the customization and connectivity 15 features, contributes to the non-obviousness of the invention to a person skilled in the art. In view of the above, the claimed invention may not be considered abstract and may not be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
[00047] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some 20 embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but
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not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise. [00048] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore 5 intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[00049] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other 10 aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope as indicated by the following claims.
[00050] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes 15 may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will 20 include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[00051] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and
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variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
List of reference numerals
100- Power drive unit 310a- one or more openings 5
102- Cylinder cover 402-Drain hole
106- Cylinder head 404- Oil pump mounting portion
108- Cylinder block 406-First channel
110- Magneto cover 410-Minor arch area
112- Clutch cover 410a-Major arch area 10
114- Left case member 408- Second channel
116- Right case member 502-Third channel
200- Case assembly 506-Forth channel
202- At least one groove
204a, 204b- one or more rotating members 15
206- Crankshaft
208- Clutch assembly
210- Centrifugal filter
214- Cam chain
302a- one or more receiving portions 20
304- at least one aperture , Claims:We claim:
1. A power drive unit (100) comprising:
a case assembly (200) comprises a plurality of case members (114, 116), the plurality of case members (114, 116) comprises one or more one opening (310a), the one or more openings (310a) being defined by one or 5 more receiving portions (302 a) of the plurality of case members (114, 116);
at least one groove (202) provided on a predefined portion of at least one of the one or more receiving portions (302a); and
at least one aperture (304) provided in at least one of the one or more receiving portions (302a), the at least one aperture (304) being fluidically 10 connected to the at least one groove (202).
2. The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one groove (202) is provided on an inner surface of the respective receiving portions (302a).
3. The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one 15 aperture (304) is configured to fluidically connect the at least one groove (202) with a fluid flow channel of the case assembly (200).
4. The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one groove (202) being configured to receive a fluid from the fluid flow channel. 20
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5.The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least oneaperture (304) is connected to a third channel (502), proximal to the at leastone groove (202) and a fluid pump configured to supply a fluid through thethird channel (502).
6.The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more5 one opening (310a) being configured to accommodate one or more rotatingmembers (204a, 204b).
7.The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or morerotating member (204a, 204b) being configured to rotatably mount a shaft(206)in the case assembly (200).10
8.The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least onegroove (202) being extended circumferentially in a range of 270 degrees to320 degrees of the of the corresponding one or more receiving portions(302a).
9.The power drive unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one15 groove (202) being defined with respect to a piston axis AA of the powerdrive unit (100).