DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of front covers for engines, particularly vehicle engines.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Front Cover: A front cover is the component that provides sealing for the front of an engine block and may be used to mount any accessories.
Oil Filter: An oil filter is the component that cleans the dirty oil coming from the engine and sends the clean filtered oil to engine.
Vacuum Pump: A vacuum pump is the component that provides sufficient vacuum for operation of the brake booster and other accessories.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventional front covers function only as a cover for the timing chain or the timing belt drive mechanism, while also being configured for prevention of engine oil spillage, noise leakage and entry of external matter. An engine front cover is a casted component having multiple holes for receiving threaded fasteners for the fitment of the front cover onto the operative front side of the crankcase of the engine. The engine front cover has a lower edge that rests against an edge of the oil sump of the engine in a fitted position thereof, and is provided with a circular crankshaft bearing hole for supporting the crankshaft at a height where the counterweights of the crankshaft can dip into the lubricating oil stored in the oil sump. In a conventional mounting arrangement of components around the engine front cover, all the components, including an alternator, a speed sensor, an oil filter, a fuel control unit, an idler pulley and the like are mounted separately with a complex vacuum system and oil lubrication system for the engine.
The current engine assembly includes an oil filter bracket required for mounting the oil filter, which complicates the assembly, and acts as a hindrance during service for the oil filter. The layout of components around the boundary of the engine is complicated due to the current arrangement for mounting of the idler pulley and the alternator. Therefore, a compact engine assembly, particularly, a compact assembly of components in the vicinity of the engine front cover is desired, for reduction of cost, weight, friction and assembly time of the engine.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a compact component assembly in the vicinity of the engine front cover, i.e., the engine front side assembly of a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to eliminate the oil filter bracket/housing that is for mounting an oil filter.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide ease of service for the oil filter unit.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to simplify the layout of components around the boundary of the engine.
Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the cost and the weight of the engine assembly.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement of components of an engine in which, during the working, there is reduced friction.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the time taken for assembling of the engine in the vehicle on the shop floor.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an engine front cover configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing. The engine front cover is adapted to support:
(a) an alternator and an idler pulley; OR
(b) an oil filter; OR
(c) an alternator, an idler pulley and an oil filter.
In an embodiment, the engine front cover is adapted to support at least one of a speed sensor, a fuel control unit, a leak-off connector and a vacuum pump.
In the various embodiments, the alternator mounting portion, the fuel control unit mounting portion and the leak-off connector mounting portion are formed on the periphery of the engine front cover, and the idler pulley mounting portion, the oil filter mounting portion and the speed sensor mounting portion are formed on an operative outer surface of the engine front cover.
The present disclosure also envisages an engine front side assembly comprising an engine front cover configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing. The engine front side assembly further comprises, supported on the engine front cover:
(a) an alternator and an idler pulley; OR
(b) an oil filter; OR
(c) an alternator, an idler pulley and an oil filter.
In an embodiment, the engine front side assembly includes at least one of a speed sensor, a fuel control unit, a leak-off connector or a vacuum pump supported on the engine front cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The engine front cover of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the engine front cover; and
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the parts assembled on to the engine front cover.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 engine front side assembly
102 alternator
104 idler pulley
106 oil filter
108 speed sensor
110 fuel control unit
112 leak-off connector
200 engine front cover
202 alternator mounting portion
204 idler pulley mounting portion
206 oil filter mounting portion
208 speed sensor mounting portion
210 fuel control unit mounting portion
212 leak-off T-connector mounting portion
214 crankshaft bearing hole
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
A typical engine front side assembly has an engine front cover that covers the valve timing mechanism. The various components disposed on the engine front side, such as an alternator, an idler pulley, an oil filter, and so on, are mounted separately. The layout of components around the boundary of the engine is complicated due to the current arrangement for mounting of the idler pulley and the alternator. An oil filter bracket is typically required for mounting the oil filter, which complicates the assembly, and acts as a hindrance during service for the oil filter. Therefore, a compact engine assembly, particularly, a compact assembly of components in the vicinity of the engine front cover is desired, for reduction of cost, weight, friction and assembly time of the engine.
The present disclosure envisages an engine front cover 200 configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing. The engine front cover 200 is adapted to support:
(a) an alternator 102 and an idler pulley 104; OR
(b) an oil filter 106; OR
(c) an alternator 102, an idler pulley 104 and an oil filter 106.
In a preferred embodiment, the engine front cover 200 is adapted to also support at least one of a speed sensor 108, a fuel control unit 110, a leak-off connector 112 and a vacuum pump (not illustrated). The speed sensor 108 is a cam speed sensor. The leak-off connector is a T-connector.
The engine front cover 200 is typically a cast aluminum component, although the engine front cover 200 can alternatively be made of cast iron, cast steel and other metallic alloys. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, the engine front cover 200 has an alternator mounting portion 202, an idler pulley mounting portion 204, oil filter mounting portion 206 in the form of an integrated oil filter housing, a speed sensor mounting portion 208, a fuel control unit mounting portion 210, a leak-off connector mounting portion 212 and a vacuum pump mounting portion provided in the form of an integrated vacuum pump housing (not shown). The engine front cover 200 has a crankshaft bearing hole 214 for supporting the crankshaft of the engine. An oil seal is also fitted in the crankshaft bearing hole 214 after inserting the crankshaft and the corresponding bearing therein.
In an embodiment, the alternator mounting portion 202, the fuel control unit mounting portion 210 and the leak-off connector mounting portion 212 are formed on the periphery of the engine front cover 200. The idler pulley mounting portion 204, the oil filter mounting portion 206 and the speed sensor mounting portion 208 are formed on an operative outer surface of the engine front cover 200.
The present disclosure also envisages an engine front side assembly 100 that comprises an engine front cover 200 configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing. The engine front side assembly 100 further comprises, supported on the engine front cover 200:
(a) an alternator 102 and an idler pulley 104; OR
(b) an oil filter 106; OR
(c) an alternator 102, an idler pulley 104 and an oil filter 106.
In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2, the engine front side assembly 100 includes at least one of a speed sensor 108, a fuel control unit 110, a leak-off connector 112 or a vacuum pump is supported on the engine front cover 200.
Thus, in the embodiment of the engine front cover 200 and thereby in the corresponding embodiment of the engine front side assembly 100 of the present disclosure, in which the alternator 102 and the idler pulley 104 are supported on the engine front cover 200, the layout of components around the boundary of the engine is simplified. Also, overall reduction in friction is achieved due to simplification of the path of the belt-drive, by the integration of mounting the alternator 102 and the idler pulley 104 in the engine front cover 200. The time taken for assembling of the engine in the vehicle on the shop floor is reduced. A simplified oil supply for the vacuum pump is thus provided by housing the vacuum pump in the engine front cover 200. In the embodiment in which the oil filter 106 is supported on the engine front cover 200, the requirement for an oil filter bracket/housing for mounting the oil filter 106 is eliminated. A simplified oil filtering system is provided by the integration of the housing of the oil filter 106 in the engine front cover 200. Easy access for the oil filter 106 facing towards vehicle front is provided for servicing.
In the preferred embodiment in which the alternator 102, the idler pulley 104 and an oil filter 106, along with a speed sensor 108, a fuel control unit 110, a leak-off connector 112 or a vacuum pump, are supported on the engine front cover 200, a compact component assembly in the vicinity of the engine front cover, i.e., the engine front side assembly of a vehicle is provided. The cost and the weight of the engine assembly are subsequently reduced.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an engine front cover and an engine front side assembly which:
• eliminates the oil filter bracket/housing that is for mounting an oil filter;
• provides ease of service for the oil filter unit;
• simplifies the layout of components around the boundary of the engine;
• reduces the cost and the weight of the engine assembly;
• reduces friction during the working; and
• reduces the time taken for assembling of the engine in the vehicle on the shop floor.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front cover (200) adapted to support an alternator (102) and an idler pulley (104), said engine front cover (200) having an alternator mounting portion (202) and an idler pulley mounting portion (204).
2. An engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front cover (200) adapted to support an oil filter (106), said engine front cover (200) having an oil filter mounting portion (206).
3. An engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front cover (200) adapted to support an alternator (102), an idler pulley (104) and an oil filter (106), said engine front cover (200) having an alternator mounting portion (202), an idler pulley mounting portion (204) and an oil filter mounting portion (206).
4. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said alternator mounting portion (202) is formed on the periphery of said engine front cover (200).
5. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said idler pulley mounting portion (204) is formed on the operative inner/outer surface of said engine front cover (200).
6. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said oil filter mounting portion (206) is formed on the operative inner/outer surface of said engine front cover (200).
7. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, which is adapted to support a speed sensor (108), said engine front cover (200) having a speed sensor mounting portion (208).
8. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said speed sensor mounting portion (208) is formed on the operative inner/outer surface of said engine front cover (200).
9. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, which is adapted to support a fuel control unit (110), said engine front cover (200) having a fuel control unit mounting portion (210).
10. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said fuel control unit mounting portion (210) is formed on the periphery of said engine front cover (200).
11. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, which is adapted to support a leak-off connector (112), said engine front cover (200) having a leak-off connector mounting portion (212).
12. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said leak-off connector mounting portion (212) is formed on the periphery of said engine front cover (200).
13. The engine front cover (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, which is adapted to support a vacuum pump, said engine front cover (200) having a vacuum pump mounting portion.
14. An engine front side assembly (100) comprising an engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front side assembly (100) further comprising an alternator (102) and an idler pulley (104) supported on said engine front cover (200).
15. An engine front side assembly (100) comprising an engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front side assembly (100) further comprising an oil filter (106) supported on said engine front cover (200).
16. An engine front side assembly (100) comprising an engine front cover (200) configured to cover a drive mechanism for engine valve timing, said engine front side assembly (100) further comprising an alternator (102), an idler pulley (104) and an oil filter (106) supported on said engine front cover (200).
17. The engine front side assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16, which includes a speed sensor (108) supported on said engine front cover (200).
18. The engine front side assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16, which includes a fuel control unit (110) supported on said engine front cover (200).
19. The engine front side assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16, which includes a leak-off connector (112) supported on said engine front cover (200).
20. The engine front side assembly (100) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16, which includes a vacuum pump supported on said engine front cover (200).