Four-cycle engine lubrication structure

• US 6,202,621 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tsutsumi, Kouichi, Shimura, Yasuo, Inumaru, Nobuaki, Kudou, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Hyder
• Application Number:
  US09/392,480
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 123/196.R, 123/196.M, 123/317, 123/73.V, 123/196.CP, 184/6.2, 184/13.1
• US Class Current: 123/196.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/02 using lubricating pumps pumps in general F04; lubricating pumps per se F16N
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/06 Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of crankshafts or connecting rods with lubricant passageways, e.g. bores crankshafts, connecting-rods, per se F16C
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/123 using two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/126 Dry-sumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/02 for driving cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/16 Engines characterised by number of cylinders, e.g. single-cylinder engines F02B75/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An oil sump for lubricating oil is provided at a lower part of a crank chamber of a dry sump-type four-cycle engine. A reed valve is provided at an outlet of the oil sump which opens when pressure in the crank chamber is high. Furthermore, an oil passage slopes upwards from the outlet of the oil sump, with an outlet of the oil passage being provided above an oil surface level of oil accumulated within the engine. Oil from the outlet of the oil passage is smoothly discharged from the outlet of the oil passage without being discharged into the collected oil. Furthermore, oil mixed with air within the crank chamber is not directly mixed into the collected oil and oil oxidation is therefore prevented. Since there is no direct contact with high-temperature blow-by gas, etc., oil deterioration is suppressed.

Claims

1. A four-cycle engine lubrication structure for lubricating an engine and transmission with a common lubricating oil, comprising:

an oil sump for lubricating oil provided at a lower part of a crank chamber of a four-cycle engine;

a reed valve provided at an outlet of the oil sump, said reed valve being openable when pressure in the crank chamber is high; and

an oil passage sloping upwards from the outlet of the oil sump, an outlet of the oil passage being provided above a surface level of oil accumulated within a bottom part of a transmission chamber of the transmission.

2. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 1, wherein projections are formed on an inner wall of the crank chamber at an inlet of the oil sump, said projections project along an outer periphery of a crankshaft weight in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the crankshaft weight, said projections come into contact with the outer periphery of the crankshaft weight upon rotation of the crankshaft weight.

3. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 2, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

4. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 3, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

5. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 1, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

6. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 5, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

7. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 1, wherein said reed valve further comprises:

a frame shaped seal member having an inverse C-shaped cross-section;

a valve base located adjacent the seal member;

a reed attached to the valve base; and

a stopper for limiting the extent to which the reed opens.

8. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 7, wherein the reed includes bent portions provided at corners thereof for inserting into holes formed in the valve base.

9. A four-cycle engine having a lubricating structure for lubricating said engine and a transmission with a common lubricating oil, comprising:

a crank chamber;

an oil sump for lubricating oil provided at a lower part of the crank chamber of the four-cycle engine;

a reed valve provided at an outlet of the oil sump, said reed valve being openable when pressure in the crank chamber is high; and

an oil passage sloping upwards from the outlet of the oil sump, an outlet of the oil passage being provided above a surface level of oil accumulated within a bottom part of a transmission chamber of the transmission.

10. The four-cycle engine according to claim 9, further comprising a crankshaft weight mounted for rotation in the four-cycle engine, and wherein projections are formed on an inner wall of the crank chamber at an inlet of the oil sump, said projections project along an outer periphery of the crankshaft weight in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the crankshaft weight, said projections come into contact with the outer periphery of the crankshaft weight upon rotation of the crankshaft weight.

11. The four-cycle engine according to claim 10, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

12. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 11, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

13. The four-cycle engine according to claim 9, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

14. The four-cycle engine according to claim 13, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

15. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 9, wherein said reed valve further comprises:

a frame shaped seal member having an inverse C-shaped cross-section;

a valve base located adjacent the seal member;

a reed attached to the valve base; and

a stopper for limiting the extent to which the reed opens.

16. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 15, wherein the reed includes bent portions provided at corners thereof for inserting into holes formed in the valve base.

17. A four-cycle engine having a transmission which is lubricated with a common lubricating oil, comprising:

a pair of crankcases, said pair of crankcases being partitioned into a crank chamber and a transmission chamber;

an oil sump for the common lubricating oil provided at a lower part of said crank chamber;

a reed valve provided at an outlet of the oil sump, said reed valve being openable when pressure in the crank chamber is high; and

an oil passage sloping upwards from the outlet of the oil sump, an outlet of the oil passage being provided above a surface level of oil accumulated in a bottom part of the transmission chamber.

18. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 17, wherein projections are formed on an inner wall of the crank chamber at an inlet of the oil sump, said projections project along an outer periphery of a crankshaft weight in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the crankshaft weight, said projections come into contact with the outer periphery of the crankshaft weight upon rotation of the crankshaft weight.

19. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 18, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

20. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 19, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

21. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 17, further comprising an oil chamber located at the oil passage outlet for separating and recovering oil from oil mist discharged from the oil passage outlet.

22. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 21, further comprising a cover covering the oil chamber for preventing oil from splashing out of a clutch chamber of the engine into the oil chamber when a clutch of the engine rotates.

23. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 17, wherein said reed valve further comprises:

a frame shaped seal member having an inverse C-shaped cross-section;

a valve base located adjacent the seal member;

a reed attached to the valve base; and

a stopper for limiting the extent to which the reed opens.

24. The four-cycle engine lubrication structure according to claim 23, wherein the reed includes bent portions provided at corners thereof for inserting into holes formed in the valve base.