DE202005013112U1 - Oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for ventilating the crank case of an internal combustion engine and for de-oiling the air extracted from said case. Said device comprises a pressure control valve (2) and an oil separator (3), the oil separator (3) being configured in the form of a cyclone component (30) comprising at least one inlet (32, 32') for the oil-laden gas, a single cyclone or several cyclones (31) connected in parallel and at least one oil outlet (36). According to the invention, the pressure control valve (2) comprises a valve housing (20) that is located on the upper end of the cyclone component (30), sealing the latter, the upper end of the cyclone or cyclones (31) having a cover (37) and each cyclone (31) being allocated a submerged pipe (27), which acts as the outlet for the de-oiled gas (33) and through which the clean gas flows into an inflow area (23) of the valve housing (20). The valve housing (20) comprises a clean-gas drain conduit (25). The device is characterised in that the cover or covers (37) together with the submerged pipe or pipes (27) form an integral part of a valve housing base (20 ), which is configured as one piece with the valve housing (20).

Description

The The invention relates to an oil separator for the separation of oil from a crankcase ventilation gas an internal combustion engine, wherein the oil separator has a valve housing, that with a housing tightly closed is, in which at least one separating member is arranged, and wherein the oil separator has at least one clean gas outlet, through the purified gas from the separating member into an inlet region arranged in the valve housing flows, and wherein the valve housing has a gas outlet.

Such oil separator are known, have long been in use and are available in different designs known.

The German utility model originating from the applicant DE 202 11 329 U1 relates to an oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine with a housing. In the housing, a separator is arranged. The housing has an inlet for gas to be cleaned, an outlet for purified gas and an outlet for separated oil. A region of the housing is designed as an oil sink in which settles with the incoming gas flow entrained oil. The oil separator comprises in addition to the separator a coarse oil cyclone whose inflow opening is equal to the oil sink.

The German utility model, which also goes back to the applicant DE 203 02 220 U1 also discloses an oil separator for de-oiling crankcase ventilation gases of an internal combustion engine. The oil separator has a top side with a removable lid tightly sealed housing having circumferentially connected to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine tangential gas inlet. On the upper side, the oil separator has a gas outlet connected to the intake tract of the internal combustion engine and, in its lower part, an oil collecting space with an oil outlet opening which opens into an oil outlet and can be closed by means of an adjustable valve. The oil collection chamber is surrounded radially on the outside by an annular wall projecting upwards in the housing. An annular space is connected radially outside the annular wall below directly to the oil outlet. In the housing, a removable Ölabscheideeinsatz can be installed in the form of a knitted body above the oil collecting space. The Ölabscheideeinsatz is formed by an insertable instead of the knitted body in the unchanged housing cyclone component, which has at least one of the crankcase ventilation gas permeable cyclone in its upper part and in its lower part a the oil collecting space upwardly magnifying, with the annular wall in the housing in sealing engagement having engageable second annular wall.

The well-known oil separators have been proven in practice to the effect that coarse oil is reliably removed from the oil sink, without it comes to a transfer of coarse oil on the clean side of the oil separator. On the other hand, the one from the DE 203 02 220 U1 Known oil separators go there proven that oil mist or oil droplets are separated from the crankcase ventilation gas to a sufficient extent and that a sufficiently large volume for the oil collection space is provided, which is sufficient for long uninterrupted operating phases of the internal combustion engine.

Indeed are the known oil separator one Engine compartment of a motor vehicle, for example a cylinder head cover assigned, with the space available here very is narrowly limited. The known oil separators be by means of joining several, separate components mounted. They essentially exist from a pressure control unit and a cyclone unit. Especially the cyclone is a separate use, the so-called dip tube assigned, which are connected to the cyclone, in particular welded got to. The Cyclone unit is then inserted into the housing of the pressure control unit and sealingly connected to her.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the object, an oil separator of the aforementioned type with simple means to the effect improve that needed Space can be reduced, with a cost-effective production or assembly of the oil separator should be achieved.

According to the invention Task solved by that the Clean gas outlet the Valve housing assigned and in one piece is made with this, so that the clean gas outlet in one High direction seen provided with a gas outlet opening bottom wall of the valve housing forms.

Usually, a pressure control valve of known type is used in the valve housing, so that the valve housing forms a housing shell for the pressure control valve. The separating element is inserted into the valve housing. Advantageously, the invention now achieves the assignment according to the invention and integral production of the lower wall with the valve housing, that the lower wall of the valve housing with its gas outlet opening simultaneously forms an upper wall of the separator. The separator can also be referred to as a cyclone. The lower wall with its gas outlet opening can also be used as so-called Dip tube be called. By means of the embodiment according to the invention can advantageously be dispensed with a separate component, whereby at the same time the required space can be significantly reduced, can be omitted in the wall sections for fixing the dip tube. Next is achieved by means of the integral production of the lower wall or the dip tube with the valve housing that can be dispensed with an otherwise usual welding process for connecting the cyclone body and / or the dip tube / valve housing, being provided by the cost savings in production cost oil separator becomes.

advantageously, is provided that the attachment of the cyclone body and a simultaneous sealing of the raw gas area to the valve housing accessible by means of a locking lip designed as a locking connection is closer to what's below will be received.

Cheap in the Meaning of the invention is when the gas outlet opening in a vertical section Seen concentric wall, which is in the assembled state in a first portion of the separator into it stretches. Thus, the purified gas through the gas outlet opening in Shape of the dip tube in the vertical direction seen upwards from the cyclone out into the inflow area of the valve housing reach.

Conveniently, is provided here that the bottom wall of the valve body on the one hand by a wall facing the separator of the gas outlet and on the other hand is formed by a Wandungssegment, wherein the Gas outlet delimited by a vertical section seen concentric wall is, on the one hand to the wall of the gas outlet and the other is formed on the Wandungssegment.

to above sufficient attachment of the cyclone body with the valve housing it is advantageous if the bottom wall of the valve body in a vertical section seen at its edge areas locking elements are associated with the counter-locking elements that the separating organ are associated with its first section, cooperate, so that the Abscheideorgan frictionally locking with the valve body is connectable, preferably latched or verklippsbar.

Under a positive locking Connection or a form-locking locking is in the sense of Invention to understand that the Rastpartner are available by a force in the joining direction, However, by means of a force against the joining direction are not solvable, without that Rastpartner previously disengaged to be brought.

Cheap in the Meaning of the invention is therefore intended that the locking elements of extending vertically away from the bottom wall toward an oil outlet opening and seen in vertical section L-shaped with a base bar and a Crosspiece are configured, with seen in the vertical direction above of the crossbar a contact web is arranged, which is both to the crosspiece as well as the lower wall, or their wall areas, the one off the wall of the gas outlet and the other from the Wandungssegment are formed vertically spaced, so that the contact bar between this and the lower wall designed slot forms and so that the Anlagesteg a configured between this and the crosspiece groove for Recording a seal forms. By means of the seal can be advantageous achieved a seal, for example, to a cylinder head cover become.

conveniently, is further provided that the Counter-locking element seen in vertical section substantially triangular with a support surface, which extends perpendicularly from the first section and with a holding surface accomplished is that from a free edge of the support surface to the first section runs, So that the bearing surface to the valve housing oriented.

Advantageous is further, if the crossbar one to the oil outlet, so in a vertical direction seen downwardly oriented contact surface, wherein at one free end of the crossbar a spring bar is arranged, the one to the first section oriented thickening, wherein the Thickening in the assembled state, the free edge of the counter-locking element surrounds and bears against the holding surface, So that the contact surface on the support surface the counter-latching element rests in the assembled state.

In the assembled state of the cyclone body is sufficiently firmly connected to the valve body and locked. If the valve housing now seen in the joining direction, ie in the vertical or vertical direction in the direction of the cyclone body, or vice versa, the spring bars are deflected due to slipping of the thickening on the free edge of the counter-locking element to the outside and snap well audible in their starting position back when the thickening has passed the free edge and spring-like snaps back against the holding surface. Thus, a sufficiently strong locking is given, which does not solve independently in the case of operation. To solve the connection, the spring elements need only be slightly deflected, so that the valve housing can be pulled upwards. At the same time the counter-latching element assumes the function of sealing the raw gas to the valve housing, so that the counter-locking element by means of the invention staltung takes on a dual function, on the one hand as a sufficient attachment and the other to the seal. The counter-locking element can therefore also be referred to as a sealing lip. The counter-latching element or the sealing lip is preferably molded onto the first section of the separating element.

Usually is the case including, for example, an extension, for example, received in the slot, wherein the seal disposed in the groove, for example, an O-ring seal abuts a sealed inner wall of the housing. This indicates that Locking element also advantageously a dual function. On the one hand the latching element serves as positive locking, sufficient connection with the separator or the cyclone, wherein the locking element with his seal to another a sufficient sealing function to the housing or takes over to the cylinder head cover.

For another Connection or another sealing with the housing is provided advantageously that the separating member at its seen in vertical section cone-shaped second section at least a locking element which cooperates with counter-locking elements of the housing. The locking element is seen in vertical section with an approximately in Transverse direction, easily to this inclined orientation running Bridge designed in an angle from the second section away oriented landing stage passes. The arranged on the second portion of the Abscheideorgans catching element takes over also a sealing effect, so that a raw gas range sufficient is sealed.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the dependent claims and the following description of the figures disclosed. Show it

1 a vertical section through a partial view of an oil separator, and

2 an enlargement 1 ,

1 shows a partial view of an oil separator 1 for separating oil from a crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, with the addition of the pressure in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine can be controlled. The oil separator 1 has a valve housing 2 on, which is tightly closed with a housing, not shown, in which at least one separating element 3 is arranged, and wherein the oil separator 1 at least one clean gas outlet 4 has, by the purified gas from the separator 3 in one in the valve housing 2 arranged inflow area 6 flows. The valve housing 2 has a gas outlet 7 on.

The clean gas outlet 4 is the valve body 2 assigned and manufactured in one piece with this, so that the clean gas outlet 4 in a high direction 8th seen one with a gas outlet 9 provided lower wall 11 of the valve housing 2 forms. The bottom wall 11 forms the so-called dip tube.

The separator 3 For example, is designed as a cyclone and serves to oil mist from the crankcase ventilation gas, through a gas inlet, not shown in a Rohgasbereich the oil separator 1 flows in, to separate. In the separator 3 forms at working internal combustion engine as a result of a pressure difference between the gas inlet and gas outlet 7 a vortex flow which causes the oil mist forming oil particles to precipitate on the inner surface of the wall of the cyclone, while the cleaned of the oil mist gas in the center of the cyclone or Abscheideorgans 3 collects. From there, the purified gas passes through the gas outlet opening 9 upwards from the separator 3 out into the inflow area 6 of the valve housing 2 , From there, the purified gas flows through a valve housing 2 provided pressure control valve 12 from known per se to the gas outlet 7 and from there into an intake tract of the associated internal combustion engine. The separated oil flows in particular under the effect of gravity in the vertical direction 8th seen down and through an oil outlet 13 in a, an oil outlet upstream oil outlet of the housing, which in 1 not shown. Through the oil outlet, the oil can flow through an unillustrated drain valve or a siphon in an oil pan of the engine.

To clarify the flow connection of the separator 3 or from the cyclone into the valve housing 2 or by the pressure control valve 12 is in 1 a rib 14 partially broken away, on which a spring 15 of the pressure control valve 12 supported.

The gas outlet 9 has a concentric wall seen in vertical section 16 on, in the assembled state of the separator 3 to the valve body 2 ( 1 ) into a first section 17 of the separator 3 extends into it. The first paragraph 17 of the separator 3 or the cyclone is with its wall 18 , Concentric designed viewed in relation to a central axis X in vertical section.

The bottom wall 11 of the valve housing 2 is on the one hand by a separator 3 or the cyclone facing wall 19 the gas outlet 7 and on the other hand of a wall segment 21 educated. The concentric wall 16 the gas outlet opening 9 is on the one hand on the wall 19 the gas outlet 7 and on the other hand on the wall segment 21 molded, or manufactured in one piece with these. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 16 with respect to the central axis X on a continuous concentric course, but can of course be designed in a cone shape such that the gas outlet opening 9 with her free end 22 towards the oil outlet 13 rejuvenated. The gas outlet 7 with its wall 19 and the wall segment 21 is integral with the valve body 2 produced.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower wall 11 of the valve housing 2 seen in a vertical section at its edge regions 23 locking elements 24 assigned. The locking elements 24 act with counter-locking elements 26 that the separating organ 3 or the cyclone at its first section 17 are assigned, together, so that the separating organ 3 or the cyclone form fit with the valve body 2 connectable, preferably latched or verklippsbar is.

In 2 is an enlargement of the locking element 24 and the corresponding counter-latching element 26 illustrated, where by way of example a border area 23 on the side of the wall segment 21 is shown. The locking elements 24 ( 2 ) extend from the bottom wall 11 towards the oil outlet 13 vertically away and are seen in vertical section L-shaped with a base bar 27 and a crossbar 28 designed. In the vertical direction 8th seen above the crossbar 28 a jetty 29 arranged, both to the crossbar 28 as well as to the lower wall 11 is vertically spaced so that the abutment web 29 one between this and the lower wall 11 designed slot 31 forms and so that the investment jetty 29 one between this and the crossbar 28 designed groove for receiving a seal 32 forms, which is designed in the illustrated embodiment as an O-ring seal.

The counter-latching element 26 is seen in vertical section substantially triangular with a support surface 33 , which are perpendicular to the central axis X of the first section 17 or its wall 18 extends away and with a holding surface 34 is executed by a free edge 36 the bearing surface 33 or the counter-latching element 26 to the first section 17 or to its wall 18 oriented downwards so that the bearing surface 33 towards the bottom wall 11 is oriented.

The crossbar 28 has one to the oil outlet 13 So in the high direction 8th seen down-oriented investment area 37 on. At a free end 38 of the crossbar 28 is a spring bar 39 arranged, one to the first section 17 oriented thickening 41 having. When assembled, the thickening surrounds 41 the free edge 36 of the counter-locking element 26 and lies on the holding surface 34 on, with the free edge 36 in an undercut of the spring bar 39 intervenes. The undercut is in the vertical direction 8th seen between the thickening 41 and the crossbar 28 arranged. The contact surface 37 lies on the support surface 33 of the counter-locking element 26 on. When assembled, the valve body is 2 so sufficiently with the separator 3 connected, wherein the counter-latching element 26 assumes a sealing effect, so that this has a dual function and indeed for fastening and sealing. The counter-latching element 26 can thus also be referred to as a sealing lip, preferably on the wall 18 of the first section 17 is injected.

The first paragraph 17 of the separator 3 goes in the vertical direction or high direction 8th seen at its lower end in a second section 42 over, in vertical or vertical direction 8th seen cone-shaped, so that this in vertical or vertical direction 8th seen tapered downwards. The second section 42 goes into the oil outlet 13 through which the separated oil is discharged due to gravity.

In a transition from the first section 17 to the second section 42 of the separator 3 is in the respective walls a gas inlet 43 for the raw gas in the separator 3 or introduced the cyclone.

At the cone-shaped second section 42 is close to the first section 17 a second locking element 44 is arranged, which cooperates with a corresponding counter-latching element of the housing. The second locking element 44 has a crosspiece 46 on, referring to a wall 47 of the second section 42 extends vertically away, so that seen in vertical section a in the vertical direction 8th seen slightly downwardly oriented crossbar 46 is designed. The crossbar 46 goes into a jetty 48 over, extending from the wall 47 of the second section 42 extends outwards and downwards oriented away.

The second locking element 44 is fully circumferential around the separator 3 or around the cyclone at its second section 42 arranged around. The second locking element 44 also takes on a dual function and indeed for fastening or locking and sealing as the counter-locking element 26 at the first section 17 , Thus, between the counter-locking element 26 and the locking element 44 seen in the vertical direction a raw gas area 49 formed, in which the raw gas or the crankcase ventilation gas can flow, and both to the oil outlet 13 as well as to the valve housing 2 Sufficiently sealed. Also the locking element 24 on the lower wall 11 and the corresponding counter-latching element 26 at the first section 17 of the separator 3 is in each case fully circumferentially arranged on the associated components, wherein the counter-latching element 26 or the sealing lip preferably as a solid body to the first section 17 is injected. Of course, the counter-locking element 26 but also be designed as externally closed hollow body. The second locking element 44 at the second section 42 In contrast, points between the holding bridge 48 and the wall 47 of the second section 42 a gap 51 on. The locking element 44 is with his opening 52 in the vertical direction 8th seen downwards, so opposite to the support surface 33 of the counter-locking element 26 leading to the lower wall 11 or oriented to the dip tube.

In the in 1 illustrated embodiment is only a single separator 3 shown. Of course, but also several separation organs can be provided, the dip tubes through the lower wall 11 of the valve housing 2 be formed. It is conceivable, for example, an arrangement of cyclones, coarse oil cyclones and / or an additional valve body in a housing, similar to the embodiment according to the German utility model DE 202 11 329 ,

1

oil separator

2

valve housing

3

separating unit

4

clean gas outlet

5

6

inflow

7

gas outlet

8th

vertical direction

9

Gas outlet

10

11

lower wall

12

Pressure control valve

13

oil outlet

14

rib

15

feather

16

Wall v. 9

17

first wall section v. 3

18

Wall v. 17

19

Wall v. 7

20

21

wall segment

22

free end v. 9

23

Border areas of 11

24

Locking elements on 2

25

26

Counter-locking element on 17

27

Base bridge v. 24

28

Crossbar v. 24

29

mooring facilities

30

31

32

slot

33

poetry

34

Bearing surface v. 26

35

Holding surface v. 26

36

37

free edge v. 26

38

Investment area v. 28

39

free end v. 28

40

spring bar

41

42

Thickening on 41

43

second wall section v. 3

44

gas inlet

45

Locking element on 42

46

47

Crossbar v. 44

48

Wall v. 42

49

Haltesteg v. 44

50

crude gas

51

52

gap

53

Opening v. 44

Claims (11)

Oil separator for separating oil from a crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, wherein the oil separator ( 1 ) a valve housing ( 2 ), which is tightly closable with a housing, in which at least one separating element ( 3 ), and wherein the oil separator ( 1 ) at least one clean gas outlet ( 4 ), by the purified gas from the separator ( 3 ) in one in the valve housing ( 2 ) arranged inflow area ( 6 ) flows and wherein the valve housing ( 2 ) a gas outlet ( 7 ), characterized in that the clean gas outlet ( 4 ) the valve housing ( 2 ) is assigned and manufactured in one piece with this, so that the clean gas outlet ( 4 ) in a vertical direction ( 8th ) seen with a gas outlet ( 9 ) provided lower wall ( 11 ) of the valve housing ( 2 ). Oil separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas outlet opening ( 9 ) seen in vertical section concentric wall ( 16 ), which in the assembled state into a first section ( 17 ) of the separating organ ( 3 ) extends into it. Oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower wall ( 11 ) of the valve housing ( 2 ) to one of the separator ( 3 ) facing wall ( 19 ) of the gas outlet ( 7 ) and on the other hand by a Wandungssegment ( 21 ) is formed, the gas aus opening ( 9 ) of a vertical section seen concentric wall ( 16 ) is limited, on the one hand on the wall ( 19 ) of the gas outlet ( 7 ) and on the other hand on the wall segment ( 21 ) is formed. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower wall ( 11 ) of the valve housing ( 2 ) seen in a vertical section at its edge regions ( 23 ) Locking elements ( 24 ) associated with counter-latching elements ( 26 ), which belong to the separator ( 3 ) at its first section ( 17 ), cooperate, so that the separating element ( 3 ) positively locking with the valve housing ( 2 ) connectable, preferably latched or verklippsbar. Oil separator according to claim 4, characterized in that the latching elements ( 24 ) from the lower wall ( 11 ) towards an oil outlet ( 13 ) extend vertically and seen in vertical section L-shaped with a base web ( 27 ) and a crosspiece ( 28 ) are configured, wherein in the vertical direction ( 8th ) seen above the crossbar ( 28 ) a landing stage ( 29 ) is arranged, which both to the crossbar ( 28 ) as well as to the lower wall ( 11 ) is vertically spaced so that the abutment web ( 29 ) one between this and the lower wall ( 11 ) designed slot ( 31 ) and so that the contact bridge ( 29 ) one between this and the crosspiece ( 28 ) configured groove for receiving a seal ( 32 ). Oil separator according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the counter-latching element ( 26 ) seen in vertical section substantially triangular with a bearing surface ( 33 ) perpendicular to the first section ( 17 ), and with a holding surface ( 34 ) executed by a free edge ( 36 ) of the bearing surface ( 33 ) to the first section ( 17 ) oriented. Oil separator according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the transverse web ( 28 ) one to the oil outlet ( 13 ) oriented contact surface ( 37 ), wherein at a free end ( 38 ) of the crosspiece ( 28 ) a spring bar ( 39 ), one to the first section ( 17 ) oriented thickening ( 41 ), wherein the thickening ( 41 ) the free edge ( 36 ) of the counter-latching element ( 26 ) and on the holding surface ( 34 ) is applied, so that the contact surface ( 37 ) on the support surface ( 33 ) of the counter-latching element ( 26 ) rests in the assembled state. Oil separator according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the counter-latching element ( 26 ) is designed as a sealing lip. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating element ( 3 ) seen in its vertical section conical second wall portion ( 42 ) at least one latching element ( 44 ), which cooperates with counter-locking elements of the housing. Oil separator according to claim 10, characterized in that the latching element ( 44 ) a crossbar ( 46 ) which extends substantially perpendicularly from a wall ( 47 ) of the second section ( 42 ) extends away and in a holding bridge ( 48 ) passes over. Oil separator according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the latching element ( 44 ) is designed as a sealing lip.