JP2017141794A - Oil tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an oil tank having a gas-liquid separation structure to be manufactured with the reduced number of components and reduced assembly man-hours.SOLUTION: The oil tank includes: a right side member 10 and a left side member 20 butted against each other; a space 40 formed between the right side member 10 and the left side member 20; an inlet port 41, an outlet port 42, and an exhaust port 43 communicating with the inside/outside of the space 40; a first passage 50 through which oil O flowed in from the inlet port 41 is caused to flow toward the liquid level L of the oil O in the space 40; and a second passage 60 through which oil mist that is produced in the space 40 is caused to flow toward the exhaust port 43. The first passage 50 is formed of first vertical ribs 52a, 52b provided on an inner side of the right side member 10, and second vertical ribs 54a, 54b provided on an inner side of the left side member 20. The second passage 60 is formed of first horizontal ribs 61a to 61d provided on the inner side of the right side member 10, and second horizontal ribs 62a to 62d provided on the inner side of the left side member 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil tank, and more particularly to an oil tank having a gas-liquid separation structure that separates oil and a gas such as blow-by gas mixed in the oil.

  Gas may be mixed in the oil circulating between the oil tank and the object in the process. For example, a gas such as blow-by gas may be mixed in the oil that lubricates each part of the engine while lubricating between the oil tank and the engine.

  Therefore, a structure for separating the oil from the gas mixed therein, that is, a gas-liquid separation structure, may be provided in the oil tank that stores the oil. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an oil tank that includes a tank body in which oil is stored and a separator that is accommodated in the tank body. The tank main body and the separator are separate members having a cylindrical shape, and the separator is accommodated in the tank main body and fixed to the tank main body.

  The oil flowing into the inside of the separator from the upper part of the separator flows toward the lower part of the separator while swirling along the inner peripheral surface of the separator. That is, the oil that has flowed into the separator becomes a swirling flow in the separator. Then, the gas mixed in the oil is separated from the oil by the centrifugal force.

JP 2006-118463 A

  However, in order to realize the gas-liquid separation structure described in Patent Document 1, a separator separate from the tank body is necessary. For this reason, the number of parts and assembly man-hours of an oil tank increase. In addition, it is necessary to fix the separator after it is accurately positioned inside the tank body, which requires labor and time for manufacturing.

  Furthermore, oil turns into a swirl flow by flowing along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical separator. For this reason, when the viscosity of the oil is high, there is a possibility that the oil flow rate (swirl speed) becomes slow and sufficient centrifugal force cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the viscosity of the oil is low, the oil may not flow along the inner peripheral surface of the separator and may not be a swirl flow.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to manufacture an oil tank having a gas-liquid separation structure for separating oil and gas contained therein with a small number of parts and assembly man-hours.

  The oil tank of the present invention includes a space formed between the first member and the second member that are opposed to each other, and the first member and the second member that face each other. An inlet communicating with the inside and outside of the space at an upper portion of the space, an outlet communicating with the inside and outside of the space at a lower portion of the space, an exhaust port communicating with the inside and outside of the space above the inlet, and the space A first flow path in which the oil flowing in from the inlet flows toward the liquid level of the oil stored in the space, and the oil mist is provided in the space toward the exhaust port. A second flow path. The first flow path is provided inside the first member and the first vertical rib provided inside the first member, and when the first member and the second member are abutted, The second vertical rib is opposed to the first vertical rib. In addition, the second flow path is provided inside the first member and the first horizontal rib provided inside the first member, and when the first member and the second member are abutted with each other. The second horizontal rib is opposed to the first horizontal rib.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an oil tank provided with the gas-liquid separation structure which isolate | separates oil and the gas contained in this can be manufactured with few parts count and an assembly man-hour.

It is a mimetic diagram showing a dry sump type lubricating device provided with an oil tank to which the present invention is applied. (A) is a side view of an oil tank, (b) is a front view of an oil tank. (A) is a side view which shows the internal structure of a left side member, (b) is a side view which shows the internal structure of a right side member. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of an oil tank typically. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a 2nd flow path typically, (b) is sectional drawing along XX shown by (a), (c) is (a). It is sectional drawing along the YY line shown. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a 2nd flow path typically. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of a 1st flow path. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other modification of a 1st flow path. It is a schematic diagram which shows the further another modification of a 1st flow path.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of an oil tank of the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the oil tank 1 according to the present embodiment is used in a dry sump type lubricating device 3 that supplies oil O to an engine 2. The oil tank 1 and the engine 2 are connected via a first pipe 4 that forms an oil supply path and a second pipe 5 that forms an oil recovery path. A feed pump 6 is provided on the oil supply path, and a scavenging pump 7 is provided on the oil recovery path. When the feed pump 6 and the scavenging pump 7 are operated, the oil O stored in the oil tank 1 is supplied to the engine 2 through the first pipe 4, and the oil O supplied to the engine 2 is supplied to the second pipe. 5 is collected in the oil tank 1. That is, the oil O circulates between the oil tank 1 and the engine 2 and lubricates each part of the engine 2 in the process. The driving force for operating the feed pump 6 and the scavenging pump 7 is transmitted from the crankshaft of the engine 2 to these pumps 6 and 7 through a transmission mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the oil tank 1 has a two-part structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the oil tank 1 has a first member 10 and a second member 20 made of aluminum made by die casting (die casting method). The first member 10 and the second member 20 are fixed to each other in a face-to-face state to form the oil tank 1. In FIG. 2B, the first member 10 is abutted against the second member 20 from the right side of the page, and the second member 20 is abutted against the first member 10 from the left side of the page. Therefore, in the following description, the first member 10 is sometimes referred to as “right side member 10” and the second member 20 is referred to as “left side member 20”. Moreover, the abutting direction of the right member 10 and the left member 20 is defined as a horizontal direction or a left-right direction, and a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction is defined as a vertical direction or a vertical direction. That is, the left-right direction in FIG. 2 is the horizontal direction (left-right direction), and the up-down direction on the page is the vertical direction (up-down direction). However, these distinctions and definitions are merely distinctions and definitions for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the left side member 20 includes a main wall 21 and a side wall 22 that rises at a right angle from the peripheral edge of the main wall 21 with respect to the main wall 21. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the right member 10 includes a main wall 11 and side walls 12 that rise from the periphery of the main wall 11 at a right angle to the main wall 11. The side wall 12 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 13 over the entire periphery thereof, and the side wall 22 is also provided with a plurality of screw holes 23 (FIG. 3A) over the entire periphery thereof.

  Referring to FIG. 2B again, the side wall 22 of the left side member 20 extends from the main wall 21 toward the right side (toward the right side member 10). On the other hand, the side wall 12 of the right member 10 extends from the main wall 11 toward the left side (toward the left member 20). The end surface 12a (FIG. 3B) of the side wall 12 of the right member 10 and the end surface 22a of the side wall 22 of the left member 20 (FIG. 3A) sandwich a sealing member such as a liquid gasket or a paper gasket. Are faced to each other. When the side wall end surface 12a and the side wall end surface 22a shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are abutted as shown in FIG. 2B, each screw hole provided in the side wall 12 is provided. 13 (FIG. 3B) communicates with each screw hole 23 provided in the side wall 22 (FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 2B, the right member 10 and the left member 20 are fixed by the bolts 30 inserted into the screw holes 13 and 23 that communicate with each other as described above.

  That is, the right side member 10 and the left side member 20 are fixed and integrated with each other in a state in which the side wall end surface 12a and the side wall end surface 22a are abutted. And the space 40 (FIG. 3 (a), (b)) which can store the oil O is formed between these right side member 10 and left side member 20 by the right side member 10 and left side member 20 which oppose. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, an inlet 41 communicating with the inside and outside of the space 40 is provided at the upper part of the right member 10, and an outlet 42 communicating with the inside and outside of the space 40 is provided at the lower part of the right member 10. Is provided. Further, an exhaust port 43 communicating with the inside and outside of the space 40 is provided in the upper part of the right member 10, and the exhaust port 43 is provided at a position higher than the inlet 41. More specifically, the inlet 41 is provided in the upper part of the main wall 11 of the right member 10, and the outlet 42 is provided in the lower part of the main wall 11 of the right member 10. In the present embodiment, an exhaust port 43 is formed in a part of the side wall 12 of the right member 10 that forms the ceiling of the oil tank 1, and the breather pipe integrally formed with the right member 10 from the exhaust port 43. Is growing. However, a nipple separate from the right member 10 may be inserted into the exhaust port 43.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the second pipe 5 is connected to the inlet 41 via a nipple 41a (FIG. 4), and one end of the first pipe 4 is connected to the outlet 42 via a nipple (not shown). Is connected. In other words, the inlet 41 of the oil tank 1 is connected to the oil recovery path, and the outlet 42 is connected to the oil supply path. When the feed pump 6 is activated, the oil O stored in the oil tank 1 flows out of the oil tank 1 through the outlet 42 and is supplied to the engine 2 via the oil supply path. When the scavenging pump 7 is operated, the oil O that has lubricated each part of the engine 2 is recovered from the engine 2 via the oil recovery path, and flows into the oil tank 1 through the inlet 41. Although not shown, at least one of the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 is provided with a filter for removing foreign matters mixed in the oil O passing therethrough.

  Here, gas such as blow-by gas is mixed in the oil O recovered from the engine 2. Therefore, the oil tank 1 is provided with a gas-liquid separation structure for separating the oil O and a gas such as blow-by gas. Hereinafter, the details of the gas-liquid separation structure provided in the oil tank 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a first flow path 50 and a second flow path 60 are provided inside the space 40 of the oil tank 1 (hereinafter referred to as “inside the space”). Yes. The first flow path 50 extends straight downward from the inlet 41 in the vertical direction, and the oil O that has flowed into the oil tank 1 from the inlet 41 is the oil O stored in the first flow path 50 in the space. It flows toward the liquid level L. On the other hand, the second flow path 60 extends substantially horizontally in the upper part of the space 40, and oil mist generated in the space flows through the second flow path 60 toward the exhaust port 43. Specifically, fine oil particles floating in the gas flow along the second flow path 60 toward the exhaust port 43 together with the gas.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a first cylindrical rib 51 and a pair of first vertical ribs 52 a and 52 b are provided inside the right member 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, a second cylindrical rib 53 and a pair of second vertical ribs 54a and 54b are provided inside the second member 20. More specifically, a first cylindrical rib 51 and a pair of first vertical ribs 52a and 52b rising toward the inner surface of the main wall 21 of the left member 20 are provided on the inner surface of the main wall 11 of the right member 10. Yes. On the other hand, the inner surface of the main wall 21 of the left member 20 is provided with a second cylindrical rib 53 and a pair of second vertical ribs 54 a and 54 b that rise toward the inner surface of the main wall 11 of the right member 10.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 3B, the first cylindrical rib 51 is concentric with the inlet 41 of the right member 10, surrounds the inlet 41, and communicates with the inlet 41. The pair of first vertical ribs 52 a and 52 b extend in parallel with each other downward from the two locations on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical rib 51 in the vertical direction. In other words, the pair of vertical ribs 52a and 52b are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a gap extending in the vertical direction is formed between the pair of first vertical ribs 52a and 52b.

  As shown mainly in FIG. 3A, the second cylindrical rib 53 is concentric with the first cylindrical rib 51 and has the same diameter as the first cylindrical rib 51. However, the second cylindrical rib 53 is provided with a notch 53 a that is not provided in the first cylindrical rib 51. The pair of second vertical ribs 54 a and 54 b extend in parallel to each other downward in the vertical direction from both ends of the notch 53 a provided in the second cylindrical rib 53. In other words, the pair of second vertical ribs 54a and 54b are opposed to each other, and a gap extending in the vertical direction is formed between the pair of second vertical ribs 54a and 54b. Furthermore, the facing distance between the pair of second vertical ribs 54a and 54b is the same as the facing distance between the pair of first vertical ribs 52a and 52b.

  When the right side member 10 and the left side member 20 are abutted as shown in FIG. 2B, the end surface of the first cylindrical rib 51 and the end surface of the second cylindrical rib 53 are abutted as shown in FIG. The end surfaces of the first vertical ribs 52a and the end surfaces of the second vertical ribs 54a are abutted, and the end surfaces of the first vertical ribs 52b and the end surfaces of the second vertical ribs 54b are abutted. One flow path 50 is formed. In FIG. 4, only the first vertical rib 52b and the second vertical rib 54b appear, and the first vertical rib 52a and the second vertical rib 54a do not appear. However, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the end face of the first vertical rib 52a and the end face of the second vertical rib 54a abut each other, and the end face of the first vertical rib 52b and the second vertical rib. It is obvious that the end face of 54b is abutted.

  As described above, the first flow path 50 includes the first cylindrical rib 51 and the second cylindrical rib 53 that are abutted with each other, and the first vertical ribs 52a and 52b and the second vertical ribs 54a and 54b that are associated with each other. , Is formed by.

  The oil O flowing into the oil tank 1 from the inlet 41 shown in FIG. 3B flows (falls) toward the liquid level L of the oil O stored in the space through the first flow path 50. , Collide with the liquid level L. At this time, a gas such as blow-by gas mixed in the oil O is separated from the oil O by the impact of the collision. Further, the oil O in the space is bubbled by the impact of the collision, and oil mist is generated in the space.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of first horizontal ribs are provided inside the right member 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of second horizontal ribs are provided inside the second member 20. More specifically, first horizontal ribs 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, 61 d that rise toward the upper part of the inner surface of the main wall 21 of the left member 20 are provided on the inner surface of the main wall 11 of the right member 10. Further, second horizontal ribs 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, 62 d that rise toward the upper part of the inner surface of the main wall 11 of the right member 10 are provided on the upper surface of the inner surface of the main wall 21 of the left member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the first horizontal ribs 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d are arranged so as to overlap vertically in this order. That is, the first horizontal rib 61b is provided above the first horizontal rib 61a, the first horizontal rib 61c is provided above the first horizontal rib 61b, and the first horizontal rib 61d is provided above the first horizontal rib 61c. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the second horizontal ribs 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d are arranged so as to overlap vertically in this order. That is, the second horizontal rib 62b is provided above the second horizontal rib 62a, the second horizontal rib 62c is provided above the second horizontal rib 62b, and the second horizontal rib 62d is provided above the second horizontal rib 62c. Is provided.

  In the following description, the first horizontal ribs 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d shown in FIG. 3B are collectively referred to as “first horizontal rib 61”, and the second horizontal rib 61 shown in FIG. The horizontal ribs 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d may be collectively referred to as “second horizontal rib 62”. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first horizontal rib 61 and the second horizontal rib 62 are each provided with a downward slope.

  When the right side member 10 and the left side member 20 are brought into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 2B, the end face of the first horizontal rib 61 and the end face of the second horizontal rib 62 are shown in FIG. Are matched. Specifically, the end surfaces of the first horizontal ribs 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d shown in FIG. 3B, and the second horizontal ribs 62a, 62b, 62c, shown in FIG. Each end face of 62d is brought into contact with each other, whereby the second flow path 60 is formed in the space.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, an inflow port 63 penetrating the first horizontal rib 61a is provided at the lower end of the first horizontal rib 61a. Oil mist generated in the space flows into the second flow path 60 from the inlet 63 due to the pressure in the space. That is, the inflow port 63 is an inlet of the second channel 60, and the exhaust port 43 is an outlet of the second channel 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, a first communication hole 64a is provided at one end of the second horizontal rib 62b, and a second communication hole 64b is provided at one end of the second horizontal rib 62c. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a third communication hole 64c is provided at one end of the first horizontal rib 61d. And, a part of the second flow path 60 on the upstream side (inlet side) from the first communication hole 64a and a part of the second flow path 60 on the downstream side (outlet side) from the first communication hole 64a are: The first communication holes 64a communicate with each other. Further, the other part of the second flow path 60 on the upstream side of the second communication hole 64b and the other part of the second flow path 60 on the downstream side of the second communication hole 64b are connected to the second communication path. The holes 64b communicate with each other. Further, the other part of the second flow path 60 on the upstream side of the third communication hole 64c and the other part of the second flow path 60 on the downstream side of the third communication hole 64c are connected to this third communication. The holes 64c communicate with each other.

  That is, the second flow path 60 has the first communication hole 64a, the second communication hole 64b, and the third communication hole 64c as boundaries, and the upstream portion closest to the inlet (inlet 63) and the outlet (exhaust port 43). And a first intermediate part and a second intermediate part interposed between the upstream part and the downstream part.

  In other words, the upstream portion of the second flow path 60 is a portion between the first horizontal rib 61a and the second horizontal rib 62a and the first horizontal rib 61b and the second horizontal rib 62b. The first intermediate portion of the second flow path 60 is a portion between the first horizontal rib 61b and the second horizontal rib 62b and the first horizontal rib 61c and the second horizontal rib 62c. The second intermediate portion of the second flow path 60 is a portion between the first horizontal rib 61c and the second horizontal rib 62c and the first horizontal rib 61d and the second horizontal rib 62d. The downstream part of the 2nd flow path 60 is a part between the ceiling of the oil tank 1 in which the 1st horizontal rib 61d and the 2nd horizontal rib 62d, and the exhaust port 43 are provided. The upstream portion, the first intermediate portion, the second intermediate portion, and the downstream portion communicate with each other to form a ninety-ninefold second flow path 60.

  Oil mist generated in the space flows into the second flow path 60 from the inflow port 63, and flows through the second flow path 60 toward the exhaust port 43. The oil mist aggregates and liquefies in the process of flowing through the second flow path 60. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first horizontal rib 61 and the second horizontal rib 62 are provided with a plurality of baffle plates 65. As shown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of baffle plates 65 are arranged along the oil mist flow direction (left and right direction in the drawing) in the second flow path 60. Further, the baffle plates 65 provided on the first horizontal ribs 61 and the baffle plates 65 provided on the second horizontal ribs 62 are alternately arranged along the oil mist flow direction. Therefore, the oil mist collides with the baffle plate 65 and flows through the second flow path 60 while meandering. As a result, aggregation of oil mist, that is, liquefaction of oil mist is promoted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, each baffle plate 65 is provided with a through portion 66 communicating with the front and rear of the baffle plate 65. The oil O liquefied in the second flow path 60 flows on the ribs 61 and 62 along the gradient of the first horizontal rib 61 and the second horizontal rib 62, and is provided at one end of the first horizontal rib 61b. It flows down from the recovery port 67a (FIG. 3B) or the recovery port 67b (FIG. 3A) provided at one end of the second horizontal rib 62c to the liquid level L of the oil O stored in the space. Dripping. That is, the oil O liquefied in the second flow path 60 is joined (returned) to the oil O stored in the space through the recovery ports 67a and 67b. In addition, when the engine 2 is stopped, the inflow port 63 (FIG. 3B) also functions as a recovery port for recovering the oil O liquefied in the second flow path 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a supply port 70 for supplying oil O to the inside of the oil tank 1 is provided in the upper portion of the left side member 20. A screw-type cap 71 is attached. Specifically, a cylindrical portion 72 that extends obliquely upward is formed at the upper portion of the left side member 20, and a supply port 70 is formed at the tip of the cylindrical portion 72. A female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 72, and a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 71. A knob 73 is provided on the upper surface of the cap 71.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a bar-shaped level gauge 74 is provided on the bottom surface of the cap 71, and when the cap 71 is attached to the supply port 70, the tip of the level gauge 74 is positioned at a predetermined position in the oil tank 1. Until inserted. At this time, if the height of the liquid level L of the oil O stored in the space is higher than a predetermined height, the tip of the level gauge 74 is buried in the oil O. On the other hand, when the height of the liquid level L of the oil O is lower than a predetermined height, the tip of the level gauge 74 does not reach the liquid level L of the oil O.

  3A and 3B again, the second cylindrical rib 53 is provided with a notch 53a, while the first cylindrical rib 51 has a notch corresponding to the notch 53a. Is not provided. Therefore, in the right member 10, the upper end of the gap between the first vertical rib 52 a and the first vertical rib 52 b facing each other is closed by the first cylindrical rib 51. On the other hand, in the left side member 20, the upper end of the gap between the second vertical rib 54 a and the second vertical rib 54 b facing each other is opened without being blocked by the second cylindrical rib 53.

  A portion 51a of the first cylindrical rib 51 that closes the upper end of the gap between the first vertical rib 52a and the first vertical rib 52b causes the oil O stored in the space to flow out from the inlet 41. It functions as a backflow prevention part to prevent. As shown in FIG. 4, a part 51 a of the first cylindrical rib 51 that functions as a backflow prevention portion protrudes from the periphery of the inlet 41 toward the inner surface of the left member 20, and the liquid level L of the stored oil O The oil O is prevented from flowing into the inlet 41 when is inclined. In the present embodiment, the height (length) of the first cylindrical rib 51 is set so that the oil O does not flow into the inlet 41 even when the inclination angle θ of the liquid level L of the oil O reaches 40 degrees. Has been. In FIG. 4, the oil tank 1 is not inclined, and only the liquid level L of the oil O is inclined. However, in actuality, the liquid level L of the oil O is tilted when the oil tank 1 is tilted or vibration is applied to the oil tank 1.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the gas-liquid separation structure is formed inside the oil tank 1 simply by abutting and fixing the right member 10 and the left member 20 together. Specifically, the first channel 50 and the second channel 60 are formed by a plurality of ribs integrally formed with the right member 10 and the left member 20 inside the right member 10 and the left member 20. Therefore, the 1st flow path 50 and the 2nd flow path 60 are formed in the inside of the oil tank 1 only by abutting and fixing the right side member 10 and the left side member 20. In other words, it is not necessary to install a separate member inside the oil tank 1 in order to form the first flow path 50 and the second flow path 60 inside the oil tank 1. That is, the oil tank 1 provided with the gas-liquid separation structure is manufactured with a small number of parts and assembly man-hours.

  In the present embodiment, a part 51a of the first cylindrical rib 51 that is integrally formed inside the right member 10 functions as a backflow prevention unit. Therefore, the backflow prevention portion is formed inside the oil tank 1 simply by abutting and fixing the right member 10 and the left member 20 together.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the form of the baffle plate 65 provided in the second flow path 60 can be changed to the form shown in FIG. In the form shown in FIG. 5, the baffle plate 65 provided on the first horizontal rib 61 of the right member 10 and the baffle plate 65 provided on the second horizontal rib 62 of the left member 20 are They are arranged alternately in the flow direction of the oil mist in the two flow paths 60. On the other hand, in the form shown in FIG. 6, the baffle plate 65 provided on the first horizontal rib 61 of the right member 10 and the baffle plate 65 provided on the second horizontal rib 62 of the left member 20. Are arranged at the same position in the flow direction of the oil mist in the second flow path 60, but are not abutted against each other. In other words, the end surfaces of the respective baffle plates 65 facing each other face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. As a result, the second flow path 60 has a plurality of constricted portions 68 that are narrower than other portions and have a large flow path resistance. For this reason, the flow rate of the oil mist decreases immediately before each narrowed portion 68, while the flow rate of the oil mist increases immediately after passing through each narrowed portion 68. That is, the change in the flow rate of the oil mist in the second flow path 60 is increased, and the aggregation of the oil mist, that is, the liquefaction of the oil mist is promoted.

  The 1st channel 50 in the above-mentioned embodiment was a straight channel. However, the first flow path 50 is a non-linear flow path that swirls or meanders the flow of the oil O that flows into the oil tank 1 and flows toward the liquid level L of the oil O stored in the space. It can also be replaced. FIGS. 7 to 9 schematically show different examples of the non-linear first flow path 50. The first flow path 50 shown in FIG. 7 is helical and swirls the oil flow. The first flow path 50 shown in FIG. 8 has a wave shape (waveform) and causes the oil flow to meander. The first flow path 50 shown in FIG. 9 has a labyrinth shape (zigzag shape) and causes the oil flow to meander. Each of the first flow paths 50 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is formed in a space between the right member 10 and the left member 20 when the right member 10 and the left member 20 are abutted with each other. Is done.

  In the above-described embodiment, all of the inlet 41, the outlet 42, and the exhaust port 43 are provided in the first member (right side member) 10, but all or part of them are provided in the second member (left side member) 20. Also good.

  The oil tank 1 in the above embodiment is used for the dry sump type lubricating device 3. However, the use of the oil tank of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be used in a wet sump type lubrication device or can be used as a single oil tank. Further, the oil tank of the present invention can be provided outside the engine, or can be provided inside the engine (for example, inside the crankcase). Furthermore, examples of the engine that receives the supply of oil from the oil tank of the present invention include an automobile engine, a motorcycle engine, a buggy engine, and a generator engine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oil tank 2 Engine 3 Dry sump type lubricating device 4 1st pipe 5 2nd pipe 6 Feed pump 7 Scavenging pump 10 1st member (right side member)
11, 21 Main wall 12, 22 Side wall 12a, 22a End surface (side wall end surface)
13, 23 Screw hole 20 Second member (left side member)
40 Space 41 Inlet 42 Outlet 43 Exhaust outlet 50 First flow path 51 First cylindrical rib 51a Part of first cylindrical rib 52a, 52b First vertical rib 53 Second cylindrical rib 53a Notch 54a, 54b Second vertical rib 60 2nd flow path 61, 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d 1st horizontal rib 62, 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d 2nd horizontal rib 63 Inlet 64a 1st communicating hole 64b 2nd communicating hole 64c 3rd communicating hole 65 Baffle plate 66 Through portion 67a, 67b Recovery port 68 Narrowed portion L Liquid level O Oil

Claims (7)

A first member and a second member that are butted against each other;
A space formed between the first member and the second member facing each other by the first member and the second member;
An inlet communicating with the inside and outside of the space at the top of the space;
An outlet communicating with the inside and outside of the space at the bottom of the space;
An exhaust port communicating with the inside and outside of the space above the entrance;
A first flow path provided in the space, and the oil flowing in from the inlet flows toward the liquid level of the oil stored in the space;
A second flow path provided in the space and through which oil mist flows toward the exhaust port,
The first flow path is provided inside the first member and the first vertical rib provided inside the first member, and when the first member and the second member are abutted, Formed by a second vertical rib facing the first vertical rib,
The second flow path is provided inside the first member and the first horizontal rib provided inside the first member, and when the first member and the second member are abutted, Formed by a second horizontal rib facing the first horizontal rib,
Oil tank. The oil tank according to claim 1,
When the first member and the second member are abutted, the first vertical rib and the second vertical rib are abutted with each other,
When the first member and the second member are abutted, the first horizontal rib and the second horizontal rib are abutted with each other;
Oil tank. In the oil tank according to claim 1 or 2,
The second flow path is provided with a plurality of baffle plates along the oil mist flow direction in the second flow path.
Oil tank. The oil tank according to claim 3,
At least one of the plurality of baffle plates is provided with a through portion communicating with the front and rear of the baffle plate.
Oil tank. In the oil tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
At least one of the first horizontal rib and the second horizontal rib is provided with a recovery port for communicating the second flow path and the space;
The oil liquefied in the second flow path joins the oil stored in the space through the recovery port,
Oil tank. In the oil tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Around the inlet, there is provided a backflow prevention portion that protrudes toward the second member and prevents oil stored in the space from flowing out of the inlet.
Oil tank. In the oil tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first flow path is a non-linear flow path that swirls or meanders the flow of oil that flows toward the liquid level of oil stored in the space.
Oil tank.

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