Claims:
1. A self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system in a vehicle comprises a first plunger 10 , a second plunger 20 , a strainer 30 ,a barrel cap 60 to form tight sealing between the barrel 50 and the either of the plunger 10 or 20, a barrel 50 placed in a lubrication oil pan 110 , an oil pipe 120 connected to the barrel 20 to supply the lubrication oil to a lubrication oil pump and other components of the vehicle , characterized in that
? the first plunger 10 , the second plunger 20 and the strainer 30 are disposed inside the barrel 50 wherein first any of the plunger thereafter the strainer and thereafter other plunger inserted into the barrel 50
? the said plungers, strainer are sliding inside the barrel due to gravity and its corresponding weight as the vehicle gets inclined.
2. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the barrel 50 is provided with mesh mounted on the upper side of the barrel for filtering the lubrication oil and removing foreign materials, impurities, dust thereof.
3. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that lubrication oil input ports 70 ,80 & 90 are provided on the first plunger 10, the second plunger 20 and the barrel 50 respectively for sucking the lubrication oil and further transferring it to the lubrication oil pump or any other components of the vehicle.
4. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first plunger 10 and the second plunger 20 are connected to the side walls of strainer 30 by means of welding or threading or screwed or by other fastening means or combination of thereof.
5. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the barrel 50 is higher than the outer diameter of the either of the plungers 10 or 20.
6. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the barrel cap 60 provided either side of the barrel 50 to form tight sealing between the side walls of either of the strainer 30 and the side walls of the barrel 50.
7. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one small opening 40 is provided on the each side walls of the strainer 30 to providing entrance for transferring oil accumulated between the side walls of the barrel 50 and the side walls of the strainer 30 and to avoid accumulation of the lubrication oil between the side walls of the barrel 50 and the side walls of the strainer 30.
8. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that small opening of equal diameter of the lubrication oil input port 80 is provided on the strainer at the bottom side which is fully align with the lubrication oil input port 80 provided on the central bottom location of the barrel 50 during the lubrication oil pan 110 is in horizontal direction and parallel to ground.
9. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
? The first plunger 10 , the second plunger 20 are partially out from the barrel 50 and the lubrication oil input ports 70 & 90 are partially open and the lubrication oil input port 80 provided on the central bottom location of the barrel 50 is completely open during the lubrication oil pan 110 is in horizontal direction and parallel to ground;
? the lubrication oil input ports 70 & 80 gradually get closed and the lubrication oil input port 90 gradually get opened as the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined towards right side ;
? the lubrication oil input ports 70 & 80 are fully closed and the lubrication oil input port 90 fully opened as the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined towards 45 degree in right side ;
? the lubrication oil input ports 80 & 90 gradually get closed and the lubrication oil input port 70 gradually get opened as the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined towards left side; and
? the lubrication oil input ports 80 & 90 are fully closed and the lubrication oil input port 70 fully opened as the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined towards 45 degree in left side.
10. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first plunger 10, the strainer 30 and the second plunger 20 are disposed in the barrel 50 in a sandwich manner.
11. The self-adjusting oil strainer for the engine lubrication system claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the barrel 50 is mounted on the oil pipe 120 through bearings or any other means in such a manner that the barrel may rotate in 360 degree with respect to the oil pipe 120.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automotive vehicle, off-road vehicle, earthmoving vehicle and particularly an engine lubrication system for an internal combustion engine of an off-road vehicle, construction, earthmoving vehicle such as tractor, wheel loader, excavator, compaction machine etc. and more particularly to design and development self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A lubrication system used in a vehicle to properly lubricate an engine and to reduce friction between moving parts of vehicle such as pistons, brakes, transmission, bearing and shafts etc. The lubrication system is also used in vehicle to reduce a heat generated through various moving parts of the vehicle.
The engine efficiency may get reduced if the lubrication system works improperly or failed due to various other reasons.
A typical automotive vehicle forced feed lubrication system includes an oil pump to suck and properly distribute lubrication oil to different engine components. In such forced feed lubrication system, lubrication oil is placed in the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan situated below the engine crankcase. The lubrication oil is sucked by the oil pump through a strainer from the said lubrication oil sump or oil pan and then supplied, distributed to various components of the engine and the vehicle. The lubrication oil may be passed through a lubrication oil filter and/or a lubrication oil cooler before supplying it to various components such as pistons, transmission, bearings, brakes, rings, springs etc. of the engine and the vehicle. The lubrication oil then drains back to the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan and again it supplied to the various components and cycle repeats.
Conventional engine lubrication system includes an oil pipe for connecting the lubrication oil pump and the strainer. The strainer is used in the lubrication system to remove foreign material, dust, debris from the lubrication oil. The strainer is generally placed at the centre of lubrication oil sump or oil pan.
When the lubrication oil level goes below to the strainer for temporary for permanent duration of time then the lubrication oil pump runs on dry condition which may further affects to the entire lubrication system. During acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle the lubrication oil level may go below to the strainer for temporary period of time as the entire lubrication oil gets accumulated to the rear or front side of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan.
The lubrication oil level may go below to the strainer for temporary duration due to side turning of the vehicle and in such situation the lubrication oil gets accumulated to one side of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan. It has been also observed that the lubrication oil level may go below to the strainer for temporary duration due to forward, backward or side tilting of the vehicle because undulating land conditions. During all such conditions there may be chances to air get sucked into the lubrication system which make the lubrication system less effective and inefficient.
Common efforts were made to solve abovementioned problem and have been incorporated in construction of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan. A typical solution is maintaining the lubrication oil level sufficiently high that the strainer is always soaking into the lubrication oil. Another solution to the abovementioned problems is that increase the size of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan to hold large quantity of lubrication oil. These abovementioned solutions are increases service cost and manufacturing cost of the lubrication system. There is another disadvantage associated with the above mentioned solutions is limitation of design and construction of larger the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan. Moreover weight of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan get increases as size increases and further it amounts higher manufacturing cost.
The design of larger and longer lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan also reduces engine ground clearance hence the engine need to be placed at the higher place, but then it disturb the aerodynamics of the vehicle and also impact stability of the vehicle.
One of solutions of to solve above-mentioned problem is disclosed on patent publication no. US6260534. An engine having four oil-pickup tubes with control valve placed at four different corners of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan. When the engine is in inclined position intake of air is prevented by the control valves associated with the oil-pickup tubes.
However, the abovementioned solution has some drawbacks. First, it has four oil-pickup tubes placed at four corner of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan hence material and manufacturing cost of such lubrication system get increased. Second, the control valve closes sudden and instantaneous hence there may be situation where no oil supplied through the oil-pickup tube.
Another solution for the problem is mentioned in patent publication no. DE102010015326 & DE2339730. According to these patent applications the lubricant extraction device has a tube-shaped hollow body in which a double piston unit or ball mechanism is arranged in a sliding manner. A hollow body is provided with two lubricant intake openings are placed on the tube-shaped hollow body. During less quantity of the lubrication oil such lubrication system will not work effectively as it has fixed lubrication oil input ports which may not reach to the lubrication oil during extreme incline position of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan.
To overcome abovementioned shortcoming and problems associated with conventional system, it is more desirable to have an engine lubrication system which is simple in construction, effective and cost effective than previously known methods and solves or at least relieves some of the problems discussed above.
It is therefore an object of the present invention is to overcome one or more problems associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to develop simple and effective have an engine lubrication system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system which is simple in construction for a vehicle.
One more object of present invention is to develop a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system which is user friendly and cost effective.
One more object of present invention is to develop a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system which has moveable lubrication input ports.
A method according to an aspect of the present invention is also disclosed.
Further advantageous embodiments and further advantages of the invention emerge from the detailed description below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system. A preferred embodiment of the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system includes a first plunger, a second plunger, a strainer and a barrel assembly. The first plunger, the second plunger and the strainer is disposed inside the barrel in sliding position. At least one lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel. Multiple lubrication oil input ports may be placed on extreme end of the plunger. A mesh is provided on the upper part of the strainer for removing and filtering foreign particles, impurities, dust available in the lubrication oil.
When vehicle is working on normal or flat land condition, the axis of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan is parallel to ground. The plunger in the barrel is partially slides out from the both side. The lubrication oil get sucked from lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel as well from other two lubrication oil input port is placed on the extreme ends of the plunger.
The plunger is sliding inside the barrel due to gravity and its own weight as the vehicle gets inclined during all terrain or undulated land working condition. During such condition, the plunger from one end slide out and the corresponding lubrication oil input port get opened. While the plunger from other end slide inside of the barrel and the corresponding lubrication oil input port get closed. The lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel is also get closed during extreme inclined condition.
The construction and design of plunger is such way that, it can reach to the lubrication oil when quantity of the lubrication oil is very less and the lubrication oil is accumulated to one side of the lubrication oil sump or lubrication oil pan during the extreme incline position of the vehicle. At least one small opening is provided on the side walls of the strainer to provide entrance for the lubrication oil accumulated between side walls of the barrel and the side walls of the strainer. The small openings allow the lubrication oil to enter into the strainer.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the following drawings, a more detailed description of different exemplary embodiments of the invention will follow below.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 Illustrates a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is in horizontal direction according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2a Illustrates a plunger and strainer assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2b Illustrates an exploded view of the plunger and strainer assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 15 degree towards right side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 30 degree towards right side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 45 degree towards right side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 15 degree towards left side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 30 degree towards left side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 8 Illustrates the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is inclined in 45 degree towards left side according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system according to preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinunder with reference to accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 to 8.
As shown in FIG. 1, a self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system when a lubrication oil pan is in horizontal direction 100.
The self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 100 consisting of a first plunger 10, a second plunger 20 , a strainer 30, a barrel 50 , a barrel cap 60, an oil pipe 120 , lubrication oil input ports 70 , 80 & 90 and a lubrication oil pan 110.
The engine lubrication system 100 provided with the oil pipe which connect a lubrication oil pump (not shown in the fig.) and the barrel 50.
The lubrication oil pan 110 is placed in the horizontal direction when the vehicle is working on normal or flat land condition and parallel to ground. The strainer 30 is disposed into the barrel 50. One end of the strainer 30 is connected to the first plunger 10 while other end of the strainer 30 is connected to the second plunger 20 with means of welding or treading or any other fastening means. The strainer 30 is designed and constructed in such way that, the outer diameter of the strainer 30 is higher than outer diameter of the first plunger 10 and second plunger 20.
The first plunger 10 and the second plunger 20 are provided with at least one lubrication oil input port 70 and 90 respectively. The barrel 50 is also provided with the lubrication oil input port 80 located at central bottom location of the barrel 50. When a lubrication oil pan is in horizontal direction, the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system is placed in such manner that the lubrication oil input port 70 and the lubrication oil input port 90 are partially open whereas the lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel 80 is fully open. The direction and path of the lubrication oil supply is shown by the arrow as shown in the FIG. 1
The first plunger 10, second plunger 20 and the strainer 30 disposed in the barrel 50 in such arrangement that first plunger 10 then after the strainer 30 and then after the second plunger 20 inserted into the barrel 50 through any one of end of the barrel 50 and then the barrel opening closed with the assistance of the barrel cap 60. The strainer 30, the first plunger 10 and the second plunger 20 are hollow bodies and used for sucking the lubrication oil from the lubrication oil pan 110 and supplying it to various components of the vehicle.
The strainer 30 is provided the mesh mounted the upper part of the strainer for removing and filtering foreign particles, impurities, dust available in the lubrication oil.
The barrel cap 60 is forming tight sealing between the barrel 50 and the either of plunger 10 or 20 in such manner that no lubrication oil sucked from any other place except the said lubrication oil input ports 70 , 80 & 90.
The first plunger 10, the second plunger 20 and the strainer 30 disposed in the barrel 50 in sliding position. When the vehicle inclined towards left or right side due to undulated land conditions the lubrication oil pan 110 is also tilt towards left and right side correspondingly.
Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 200 with independent the strainer and the plunger respectively is described hereinafter. The strainer 30 is consisting of the mesh at the top to filter the lubrication oil passing through the plunger 10 and 20 and the barrel 30. The first plunger 10 and second plunger 20 are connected to the side walls of the strainer 30 by means of weld or thread or any other fastening means. At least one small opening 40 is provided on the both side wall of the strainer 30 to provide entrance for the lubrication oil accumulated between side walls of the barrel 50 and the side walls of the strainer 30. These small openings 40 allow the lubrication oil to enter into the strainer 30.
Referring to FIG. 3, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 300 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards right side is explained in details. During this position the second plunger 20 slides out whereas the first plunger 10 partially slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 70 located on first plunger 10 is partially open during this position but the opening of the lubrication oil input port 70 is small compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 90 located on the second plunger 20 is fully open during this position and the opening of the lubrication oil input port 90 is large compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. The position of the lubrication oil input port 90 also moves towards right during this position.
The strainer 30 and the first plunger 10 are sliding towards the right direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards right. The space between the right side wall of the barrel and right side wall of strainer get reduced compared to the corresponding space during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.3
Referring to FIG. 6, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 600 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards left side is explained in details. During this position the first plunger 10 slides out whereas the second plunger 20 partially slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 90 located on second plunger 20 is partially open during this position but the opening of the lubrication oil input port 90 is small compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 70 located on the first plunger 10 is fully open during this position and the opening of the lubrication oil input port 70 is large compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. The position of the lubrication oil input port 70 also moves towards left during this position.
The strainer 30 and the second plunger 20 are sliding towards the left direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards left. The space between the left side wall of the barrel and left side wall of strainer get reduced compared to the corresponding space during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is horizontal and parallel to the ground. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.6
Referring to FIG. 4, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 400 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 30 degree towards right side is explained in details.
During this position the second plunger 20 slides out whereas the first plunger 10 slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 70 located on first plunger 10 is fully closed during this position. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 90 located on the second plunger 20 is fully open during this position and the opening of the lubrication oil input port 90 is large compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards right side. The position of the lubrication oil input port 90 also moves towards more right during this position.
The strainer 30 and the first plunger 10 are sliding towards the right direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards right which causes the lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel 80 is partially open but smaller than the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards right side. The space between the right side wall of the barrel and right side wall of strainer get reduced compared to the corresponding space during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards right side. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.4
Referring to FIG. 7, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 700 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 30 degree towards left side is explained in details.
During this position the first plunger 10 slides out whereas the second plunger 20 slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 90 located on first plunger 10 is fully closed during this position. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 70 located on the first plunger 20 is fully open during this position and the opening of the lubrication oil input port 70 is large compared to the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards left side. The position of the lubrication oil input port 70 also moves towards more right during this position.
The strainer 30 and the second plunger 20 are sliding towards the left direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards left which causes the lubrication oil input port is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel 80 is partially open but smaller than the corresponding opening during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards left side. The space between the left side wall of the barrel and left side wall of strainer get reduced compared to the corresponding space during position when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 15 degree towards left side. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.7
Referring to FIG. 5, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 500 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 45 degree towards right side is explained in details.
During this position the second plunger 20 completely slides out whereas the first plunger 10 completely slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 70 located on first plunger 10 is fully closed during this position. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 90 located on the second plunger 20 is fully open during this position. The position of the lubrication oil input port 90 also moves towards extreme right during this position.
The strainer 30 and the first plunger 10 are sliding towards the right direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards right which causes the lubrication oil input port 80 is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel 50 is completely closed . The right side wall of the barrel and right side wall of the strainer get in touch with each other and no space available between the right side wall of the barrel and right side wall of the strainer. The lubrication oil input ports 70 & 80 are completely closed during this position to avoid the air entry into the lubrication system. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.5
Referring to FIG. 8, one more alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention the self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system 800 when the lubrication oil pan 110 is inclined in 45 degree towards left side is explained in details.
During this position the first plunger 10 completely slides out whereas the second plunger 20 completely slides inside the barrel 50 gradually due to gravity and own weight of the plunger 10 & 20 and the strainer 30. The lubrication oil input port 90 located on second plunger 20 is fully closed during this position. Whereas the lubrication oil input port 70 located on the first plunger 10 is fully open during this position. The position of the lubrication oil input port 70 also moves towards extreme left during this position.
The strainer 30 and the second plunger 20 are sliding towards the left direction due to inclination of the vehicle towards left which causes the lubrication oil input port 80 is placed on the central bottom location of the barrel 50 is completely closed . The left side wall of the barrel and left side wall of the strainer get in touch with each other and no space available between the right side wall of the barrel and right side wall of the strainer. The lubrication oil input ports 90 & 80 are completely closed during this position to avoid the air entry into the lubrication system. The direction and path of the lubrication oil flowing is shown by arrows in the FIG.8
The small opening 40 (shown in FIG. 2a & 2b) is provided on the both left and right side walls of the strainer to ensuring that no lubrication oil remain available between the sides walls of the barrel 50 and side walls of the strainer 30. The accumulated lubrication oil the walls of barrel and walls of the strainer transferred to into the strainer through the small openings 40 provided on the side walls of the strainer.
The self-adjusting oil strainer for an engine lubrication system arranged such that the lubrication oil input port which is not immersed in the lubrication oil will get closed due to sliding movement of the first plunger 10, the second plunger 20 and the strainer 30 due to gravity and its own weight. The air entry into either of the lubrication oil input ports 70, 80 & 90 which is not immersed in the lubrication oil shall be restricted due design, construction and sliding motion of the first plunger 10, the second plunger 20 and the strainer 30. The design and development of the lubrication system such that in every small inclination of the lubrication oil pan 110 at least one of the lubrication oil input port is sufficiently open.
The abovementioned description describes the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will easily understand from the description and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various
changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without changing scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.