DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle, more particularly, an engine cooling system.
BACKGROUND
[002] In general, a vehicle is driven by an internal combustion engine or an 5 electric motor or both. In conventional vehicles, the internal combustion engine is provided with a crankcase assembly, a combustion chamber in a cylinder block and a cylinder head.
[003] In the conventional vehicles, the internal combustion engine, particularly the cylinder head and the cylinder block of the engine, is cooled using a forced air-10 cooling system using an external cooling fan. In other known arts, the internal combustion engine is also cooled using a liquid cooling system.
[004] However, in the above configuration, packaging of a liquid cooling system requires complex changes in the layout of the internal combustion engine and also induces problems pertaining to providing a leak proof configuration in the internal 15 combustion engine.
[005] Furthermore, the crankcase of the internal combustion engine comprising an oil chamber, i.e. the crankcase is used as an oil sump, to store oil/ lubricating oil is circulated inside the engine to keep the engine lubricated for preventing friction of the components of the internal combustion engine and the lubricating oil also 20 provides cooling of the camshaft and certain parts of the crankcase.
[006] However, in the present internal combustion engine, due to continuous circulation of the engine oil from the oil chamber, the overall temperature of the engine oil increases, particularly at higher load conditions of the vehicle the engine oil temperatures can surpass the limit, and in turn the oil loses its viscosity and is 25 unable to provide lubrication and also unable to cool one or more parts of the crankcase of the internal combustion engine and cause the engine to overheat.
[007] Furthermore, inability of the exiting forced air-cooling system to cool the oil in the oil chamber/oil sump increases the overall temperature of the internal combustion engine and thereby reduces the overall efficiency of the internal 30 combustion engine.
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[008] Hence, it is preferred to provide a cooling mechanism of the oil chamber of the internal combustion engine in order to cool the oil of the internal combustion engine.
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SUMMARY
[009] The present subject matter provides an internal combustion engine system comprising a crankcase assembly including a first crankcase and a second crankcase, a cylinder head assembly, and a forced air-cooling assembly configured with at least one of the first crankcase and the second crankcase. The crankcase comprises an oil 10 chamber to store oil. The forced air-cooling assembly comprises a cooling fan, covers, and one or more air guide structure. The cooling fan is configured to draw air from outside to cool the internal combustion engine and the oil in the oil chamber of the crank case. The air guide structures guides air towards the crankcase and/or oil the chamber for cooling the oil in the oil chamber. The proposed invention 15 improves thermal efficiency of the engine, improve durability of engine components, reduce engine oil consumption, which in turn leads to prolonged use in higher load condition of the engine.
[010] As per an aspect of the present invention, an internal combustion engine comprising at least one crankcase assembly, a cylinder head assembly, and a forced 20 air-cooling assembly. The forced air-cooling assembly comprising a cooling fan and the cooling fan is configured for cooling the internal combustion engine. The at least one crankcase assembly comprising an oil chamber. The oil chamber is cooled by the ambient air guided by said air guide structure towards said oil chamber .
[011] As per an embodiment of the present invention, the air guide structure 25 extending from at least one of a fan housing and a fan cover of the forced air-cooling assembly (200).
[012] As per another embodiment, the air guide structure comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion being configured to divert and supply ambient air drawn by the 30
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cooling fan inside the forced air-cooling assembly to the oil chamber of the crank case assembly. [013] As per another embodiment, the second portion extends downwardly from the first portion, and the second portion is tapered downwardly from the first portion.
[014] As per another embodiment, the third portion extending downwardly from 5 the second portion, and the third portion comprising a volume being greater than a volume of the second portion.
[015] As per another embodiment, the air guide structure comprising a fourth portion. The fourth portion being configured to receive cool air from external atmosphere and the cool air is diverted to the oil chamber. 10
[016] As per another embodiment, the fourth portion is provided with one or more grooves and the one or more grooves being disposed along peripheral edges of the fourth portion for attaching the air guide structure to the at least one crankcase assembly.
[017] As per another embodiment, at least a portion of the air guide structure is 15 configured below a portion of the oil chamber.
[018] As per another embodiment, the air guide structure is connected to a portion of the at least one crankcase assembly using one or more fasteners.
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS 20
[019] The present invention is described with reference to figures, block diagrams and flowcharts. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled vehicles, three wheeled and multi wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims. 25
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[021] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a forced air-cooling assembly for the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 30
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[022] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an air guide structure of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[023] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the internal combustion engine with the air guide structure directing air towards the oil chamber, in accordance with 5 an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[024] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are 10 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 scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims. 15
[025] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the 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 20 principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[026] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, 25 whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims. 30
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[027] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader’s understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, 5 particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[028] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling mechanism for the oil chamber of the internal combustion engine in order to cool the oil of the 10 internal combustion engine and also to overcome other related problems known in the art as explained in the background problem.
[029] It is also an object of the present invention to cool heated oil or fluids in an oil chamber without using additional cooling mechanisms.
[030] It is also an object of the present invention to improve performance of the 15 internal combustion engine by improving cooling of the engine lubrication oil.
[031] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[032] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2 illustrates 20 an exploded view of a forced air-cooling assembly for the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an air guide structure of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the internal combustion engine with the air guide 25 structure directing air towards the oil chamber (114a), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[033] For brevity, figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 shall be discussed together. An internal combustion engine (100) comprising at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108). In one embodiment, the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108) comprising a first 30 crankcase (104), and a second crankcase (108).For example, the at least one
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crankcase assembly (104, 108) comprising a left crankcase (104) and a right crankcase (108). In another embodiment, the internal combustion engine (100) comprising a cylinder head assembly (106). In one embodiment, the internal combustion engine (100) comprises a forced air-cooling assembly (200) including a flow path (110) extending from the cylinder head assembly (106) to the at least one 5 crankcase assembly (104, 108). [034] A cooling assembly, for instance the forced air-cooling assembly (200) is configured with at least one of the first crankcase (104) and the second crank case (108). In an embodiment the cooling assembly (200) comprises a cooling fan (112), and the cooling fan (112) being configured for cooling the internal combustion 10 engine (100). The forced cooling assembly (200) comprises a cooling fan cover (204) which includes the cooling fan (112). The cooling fan draw ambient air inside the forced air-cooling assembly (200) . In another embodiment, the cooling fan cover (204) is attached to a portion (200a) of the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108) using one or more mounting provisions (200b) and the cooling fan cover (204) 15 is sealed intact in the position through a sealing provision (204a). In one embodiment, the forced cooling assembly (200) includes a guide path (202) for circulating forced cooling air throughout the inner cross section area of the forced cooling assembly (200) for cooling a cylinder head assembly and the crankcase assembly (104, 108) of the engine assembly. 20
[035] The at least one crankcase assembly (104,108) comprises an oil chamber (114a) to store oil or lubrication oil, and the oil chamber (114a) being cooled by air guided by an air guide structure (114) of the forced cooling assembly (200). The cooling assembly further comprises a fan housing (200) and a fan cover (204). The air guide structure (114) is configured with the at least one of the fan housing (200) 25 and the fan cover (204) and extended towards the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108), for instance the second crankcase (108). In one embodiment, the forced air-cooling system (200) being disposed with the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108). In another embodiment, the air guide structure (114) can be integrated to a portion of the oil chamber (114a). In another embodiment, at least a portion of said 30
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air guide structure (114) can be configured below to a portion of said oil chamber (114a). [036] The air guide structure (114) comprises a first portion (300a), a second portion (300b), and a third portion (300c). The first portion (300a), the second portion (300b), and the third portion (300c) being configured to supply and/or guide 5 cool ambient air drawn by the cooling fan (112) towards the oil chamber (114a) of the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108) for cooling the oil in the oil chamber (114a). In one embodiment, the second portion (300b) extends downwardly from the first portion (300a). Further, the second portion (300b) tapered downwardly from the first portion (300a). In another embodiment, the third portion (300c) extending 10 downwardly from the second portion (300b). Further the third portion (300c) comprising a volume being greater than a volume of the second portion (300b).
[037] The air guide structure (114) comprising a fourth portion (304), and the fourth portion (304) can be configured to receive cool air from an external atmosphere and the cool air being diverted to the oil chamber (114a). In an 15 embodiment, the fourth portion (304) can include openings to receive cool air from the external atmosphere. In one embodiment, the fourth portion (304) being provided with one or more grooves (304a), and the one or more grooves (304a) being disposed along peripheral edges of the fourth portion (304a) for attaching said air guide structure (114) to the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108). 20
[038] In another embodiment, the air guide structure (114) can be attached to at least one the fan housing and the fan cover through an opening provided for the air guide structure (114) to attach with the opening and with the surrounding lip the air guide structure (114) thereby forming a seal with the cooling parts and guides the air flow accordingly. The air guide structure (114) can be attached to the at least one 25 crankcase assembly (104, 108) with screws which help in keeping the air guide structure (114) locked in position. The cooling air drawn from the environment by the cooling fan (112) is guided by the fan cover towards the fan housing which further guides cooling air towards cylinder area and the air guide structure (114) guides a portion of the drawn cooling air towards the oil chamber/sump area of the 30 at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108). Furthermore, since the air guide structure
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(114) is connected to the crankcase oil sump area, the cooling air interacts with the crankcase walls to cool down the temperature of the engine oil which is retained/stored in the oil sump/chamber (114a) area of the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108). [039] The air guide structure provides continuous cool air supply to cool the oil 5 provided in the oil chamber of the internal combustion engine.
[040] Thus, to prevent the engine from overheating and to reduce the engine oil temperature without affecting the engine performance, the present invention cool the engine oil which acts both ways as lubricant and cooling the cylinder casing (block and head), to achieve above objective. The air guide structure configured to cover 10 the crankcase oil sump/chamber area and diverting the air flow from housing fan and cover fan towards the crankcase. The air guide structure is connected to the fan housing and the fan cover to divert the air flow, guides it towards the crankcase to reduce the engine oil temperature. The air guide structure can be made as a separate part or integrated part to guide the cooling air towards the crankcase oil sump area 15 to achieve a leak proof flow path. The air guide structure can be connected to the fan housing and the fan cover with an opening surrounded by lip to make the seal leak proof and is fixed to the crankcase with the help of screws to keep the part locked in and in position. With such design of the cooling assembly, air flow towards the cylinder area has no reduction however the guided air towards the crankcase oil 20 sump area helps in reducing the engine oil temperature and also there is an improvement in the thermal efficiency of the engine enabling the end used to use the vehicle for a longer duration or in heavy load condition, also reduces the engine oil consumption hence increasing the service interval for oil replacement.
[041] Furthermore, a person skilled in the art would not be motivated to design 25 a cooling mechanism of the oil chamber of the internal combustion engine in order to cool the oil of the internal combustion engine.
[042] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing 30 from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Reference Numerals:
100 internal combustion engine
104, 108 at least one crankcase assembly
106 cylinder head assembly
110 flow path 5
112 cooling fan
114 air guide structure
114a oil chamber
200 forced air-cooling system
200a a portion of at least one crankcase assembly 10
200b one or more mounting provisions
202 guide path
204 cooling fan cover
204a sealing provision
300a first portion 15
300b second portion
300c third portion
304 fourth portion
304a one or more grooves ,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. An internal combustion engine (100) comprising:
at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108);
a cylinder head assembly (106); and
a forced air-cooling assembly (200); 5
wherein said forced air cooling assembly (200) comprises a cooling fan (112), and an air guide structure (114), said cooling fan (112) being configured for drawing ambient air from ambient for cooling said internal combustion engine (100), said air guide structure (114) being configured to guide a portion of ambient air 10 towards the at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108);
wherein said at least one crankcase assembly (104, 108) comprising an oil chamber (114a), said oil chamber (114a) being cooled by the ambient air guided by said air guide structure (114) towards said oil chamber (114a). 15
2. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air guide structure (114) extending from at least one of a fan housing (200) and a fan cover (204) of the forced air-cooling assembly (200).
3. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air guide structure (114) comprising a first portion (300a), a second portion 20 (300b), and a third portion (300c).
4. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first portion (300a), said second portion (300b), and said third portion (300c) being configured to divert and supply a portion of the ambient air drawn by said cooling fan inside the forced air-cooling assembly to said oil chamber 25 (114a) of the crank case assembly.
5. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second portion (300b) extends downwardly from said first portion (300a), and wherein said second portion (300b) being tapered downwardly from said first portion (300a). 30
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6.The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidthird portion (300c) extending downwardly from said second portion(300b), and wherein said third portion (300c) comprising a volume beinggreater than a volume of said second portion (300b).
7.The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said5 air guide structure (114) comprising a fourth portion (304), said fourthportion (304) being configured to receive cool air from external atmosphereand said cool air being diverted to said oil chamber (114a).
8.The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidfourth portion (304) being provided with one or more grooves (304a), said10 one or more grooves (304a) being disposed along peripheral edges of saidfourth portion (304a) for attaching said air guide structure (114) to said atleast one crankcase assembly (104, 108).
9.The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of said air guide structure (114) being configured below a portion15 of said oil chamber (114a).
10.The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidair guide structure (114) being connected to a portion of said at least onecrankcase assembly (104, 108) using one or more fasteners.