INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COMPRISING ATTACHMENT PART

Abstract

An internal combustion engine may include at least one engine block having a plurality of cylinders and at least one flange component. At least one attachment part may be secured to the at least one flange component. An alignment device may be constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part relative to the at least one flange component when the at least one attachment part is attached to the at least one flange component. The alignment device may include at least a first alignment unit, a second alignment unit, and a third alignment unit, which may be spaced apart from one another. At least one of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit may be constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to a cylinder head in relation to a first aligning direction perpendicular to an attaching direction, when the at least one attachment part is attached to the cylinder head. At least one of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit may be constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head in relation to a second aligning direction perpendicular to the attaching direction and inclined to the first aligning direction. The at least first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit may each be constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head exclusively in one of the first aligning direction or the second aligning direction.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine comprising: at least one engine block including a plurality of cylinders and at least one flange component; at least one attachment part secured to the at least one flange component; an alignment device constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part relative to the at least one flange component when the at least one attachment part is attached to the at least one flange component; the alignment device including at least a first alignment unit, a second alignment unit, and a third alignment unit, spaced apart from one another; wherein at least one of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit are constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to a cylinder head in relation to a first aligning direction that is oriented perpendicularly to an attaching direction when the at least one attachment part is attached to the cylinder head; wherein at least one other of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit is constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head in relation to a second aligning direction that is oriented perpendicularly to the attaching direction and inclined to the first aligning direction; and wherein each of the at least one first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit are constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head exclusively in one of the first aligning direction or in the second aligning direction.

2. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the first aligning direction is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the second aligning direction.

3. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein only the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit are provided, and wherein two of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit are constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head in one of the first aligning direction or the second aligning direction and one other of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit is constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head in the other of the first aligning direction or the second aligning direction.

4. The internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein the two alignment units associated with the one aligning direction are spaced apart from one another in the other aligning direction, and the one alignment unit associated with the other aligning direction is arranged with respect to the other aligning direction between the two alignment units associated with the one aligning direction, and the one alignment unit associated with the other aligning direction is arranged in the one aligning direction offset to the two alignment units associated with the one aligning direction.

5. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third the alignment unit each further include a first alignment element secured to the at least one attachment part, and a second alignment element secured to the cylinder head, the first alignment element and the second alignment element constructed and arranged to interact together for aligning the at least one attachment part in the respective aligning direction.

6. The internal combustion engine according to claim 5, wherein the first alignment element of the at least one of the first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit includes an alignment pin extending from the at least one attachment part in the attaching direction, and the second alignment element has an aligning opening defined in the cylinder head, and wherein the aligning opening is constructed and arranged to engage the alignment pin to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head.

7. The internal combustion engine according to claim 5, wherein the second alignment element of the at least one of the at least first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit includes an alignment pin extending from the cylinder head in the attaching direction, and the first alignment element has an aligning opening defined in the at least one attachment part, constructed and arranged to engage with the alignment pin to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head.

8. The internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the aligning opening is an elongated hole having a longitudinal direction running perpendicularly to the respective aligning direction of the associated alignment unit.

9. The internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the aligning opening has an elongated shape and defines a guide portion between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein the guide portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion opposite of the first wall portion, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion extend parallel to one another and perpendicularly to the respective aligning direction of the associated alignment unit.

10. The internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the aligning opening defines a circular cross-section perpendicular to the attaching direction, and the associated alignment pin defines a pin cross-section perpendicular to the attaching direction, and includes a pin width parallel to the aligning direction of the associated alignment unit, and wherein the pin width is greater than a pin thickness running parallel to the respectively other aligning direction.

11. The internal combustion engine according to claim 10, wherein the pin cross-section is flat and includes a portion with a constant pin thickness along the pin width between end portions spaced apart from one another in a pin width direction.

12. The internal combustion engine according to claim 6, wherein the aligning opening has a circular cross-section perpendicular to the attaching direction; and the alignment pin extending perpendicularly to the respective aligning direction of the associated alignment unit has a smaller bending stiffness than in a direction parallel to the respective aligning direction.

13. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the at least first alignment unit, the second alignment unit, and the third alignment unit lie in an aligning plane defined where the at least one attachment part lies against the cylinder head.

14. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange component is a portion of the cylinder head secured to the engine block, the cylinder head including a plurality of fresh air channels leading to the plurality of cylinders; and wherein the at least one attachment part is a suction module secured to the cylinder head and includes a fresh air inlet opening and a plurality of fresh air outlet openings in fluid communication with the plurality of fresh air channels.

15. A suction module for an internal combustion engine according to claim 5, wherein the suction module includes an attachment side constructed and arranged to attach the suction module to the cylinder head, and a plurality of first alignment elements secured to the attachment side.

16. The suction module according to claim 15, wherein the suction module has a module housing having an attachment side constructed and arranged to attach the suction module to the cylinder head, and wherein a plurality of first alignment elements are integrally formed with the attachment side.

17. A suction module for an internal combustion engine according to claim 5, wherein the suction module comprises a module housing having an attachment side constructed and arranged to attach the suction module to the cylinder head, and wherein the attachment side comprises a plurality of first alignment elements integrally formed with the attachment side.

18. The suction module according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of first alignment elements are secured to the attachment side.

19. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the first alignment unit is positioned on a first end of the alignment device and the second alignment unit is positioned on a second end of the alignment device opposite of the first alignment device, and the third alignment unit is positioned central of the alignment device.

20. The internal combustion engine of claim 19, wherein the first alignment unit and the second alignment unit are constructed and arranged to align the at least one attachment part to the cylinder head in relation to the first aligning direction, perpendicular to the attaching direction, and the third attachment unit is constructed and arranged to align the attachment part to the cylinder head in relation to a second aligning direction, perpendicular to the attaching direction and inclined to the first aligning direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] There are shown, respectively diagrammatically,

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a greatly simplified schematic diagram in the manner of a circuit diagram of an internal combustion engine;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a suction module;

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the suction module from below;

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified sectional view of the internal combustion engine in the region of an alignment device analogous to an angled section line IV-IV indicated in FIG. 3;

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a greatly simplified schematic diagram of the alignment device;

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a view as in FIG. 5, but in a different embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] According to FIG. 1, an internal combustion engine 1 comprises at least one engine block 2, in which a plurality of cylinders 3 are arranged, of which, however, only one is indicated in FIG. 1 by a broken line. In FIG. 1, a crankcase 4 adjoins beneath the engine block 2, on the underside of which crankcase an oil sump 5 is arranged. Above, a cylinder head 6 adjoins the engine block 2, which cylinder head contains fresh air channels 7 leading to the cylinders 3, of which only one can be seen in FIG. 1 and is indicated by a broken line. In addition, the cylinder head 6 contains exhaust gas channels 8 for the cylinders 3, of which exhaust gas channels likewise only one can be seen in FIG. 1 and is indicated by a broken line. Further components which are usually present in an internal combustion engine 1, such as crankshaft, piston, connecting rod, gas exchange valves and valve control and injection device, are not illustrated, so as to maintain clarity. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the internal combustion engine 1 is configured as an in-line engine, which has only one engine block 2 and only one cylinder head 6. Basically, structural forms are also conceivable, in which at least two engine blocks 2 and/or at least two cylinder heads 6 are present. For example, in an internal combustion engine 1 configured as a V-engine, two cylinder heads 6 can be provided, and in an internal combustion engine 1 configured as a boxer engine, in addition two engine blocks 2 can be provided. The cylinder head 6 represents a flange component of the engine block 2.

[0041] The internal combustion engine 1 has in addition at least one suction module 9, which is fastened to the cylinder head 6 in a suitable manner and which has a fresh air inlet opening 10 and a plurality of fresh air outlet openings 11 fluidically connected to the fresh air channels 7. The suction module 9 forms here a component of a fresh air system 12, which serves for supplying the cylinders 3 with fresh air. The suction module 9 serves as fresh air distributor, which distributes the fresh air to the individual cylinders 3. The suction module 9 represents an attachment part, which is attached to the cylinder head 6 serving as flange component.

[0042] Furthermore, the internal combustion engine 1 is configured with an exhaust system 13, which has an exhaust manifold 14. The exhaust manifold 14 is fastened to the cylinder head 6 and has a plurality of exhaust gas inlet openings 15, which are fluidically connected to the exhaust gas channels 8, and has an exhaust gas outlet opening 16. In the example which is shown, the internal combustion engine 1 is designed as a supercharged internal combustion engine 1 and is provided, for this, with a charging device, which is designed here as an exhaust gas turbocharger 17. The exhaust gas turbocharger 17 has a turbine 18, which is integrated into the exhaust system 13, and a compressor 19, which is integrated into the fresh air system 12. During operation of the internal combustion engine 1, the turbine 18 drives the compressor 19 in a conventional manner.

[0043] In the internal combustion engine 1 which is presented here, an alignment device 20 is provided between the suction module 9 and the cylinder head 6, which alignment device is indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1. It serves for aligning the suction module 9 relative to the cylinder head 6 on attaching the suction module 9 to the cylinder head 6. The alignment device 20 is provided here in addition to fastening means which are not shown in further detail here, which serve for fastening the suction module 9 to the cylinder head 6. Of these fastening means, in the view of FIG. 3 through-openings 21 can be seen, which are formed on the suction module 9 and through which fastening screws, which are not shown here, are guided in order to screw the suction module 9 to the cylinder head 6.

[0044] According to FIGS. 2 to 6, the alignment device 20 has at least three separate alignment units 22, which are arranged spaced apart from one another. According to FIGS. 5 and 6, which represent a schematization of the alignment device 20, two such alignment units 22 are designed so that they bring about an aligning of the suction module 9 with respect to the cylinder head 6 with regard to a first aligning direction 23, which runs vertically in FIGS. 5 and 6. The first aligning direction 23 is, in addition, oriented perpendicularly to an attaching direction 24, which is indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 by a vertical arrow and in which the suction module 9 is attached to the cylinder head 6. These two alignment units 22 are arranged on the left or respectively right in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 and can be designated below also as first or left or respectively as second or right alignment unit 22.

[0045] The remaining other alignment unit 22, on the other hand, is designed so that it brings about an aligning of the suction module 9 relative to the cylinder head 6 with regard to a second aligning direction 25, which is likewise oriented perpendicularly to the attaching direction 24 and in addition is inclined to the first aligning direction 23. In the example, this second aligning direction 25 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first aligning direction 23 and runs accordingly horizontally in FIGS. 5 and 6. The first aligning direction 23 and the second aligning direction 25 define an aligning plane 26, which is indicated in FIG. 4 and which runs substantially perpendicularly to the attaching direction 24. This other alignment unit 22 is arranged centrally in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 and can also be designated below as third or central alignment unit 22.

[0046] In the preferred examples shown here, precisely three such alignment units 22 are provided, which all bring about either an aligning in the first aligning direction 23 or in the second aligning direction 25. The variant shown here is preferred, in which two alignment units 22, namely the first and second alignment unit 22 respectively bring about an aligning in the first aligning direction 23, whereas only one alignment unit 22, namely the third alignment unit 22, brings about an aligning in the second aligning direction 25. The two first and second alignment units 22 associated with the first aligning direction 23 are arranged spaced apart from one another here in the second aligning direction 25. In addition, the third or central alignment unit 22 associated with the second aligning direction 25 is arranged with regard to the second aligning direction 25 between the two left and right alignment units 22 associated with the first aligning direction 23. In addition, the third alignment unit 22 associated with the second aligning direction 25 is arranged offset in the first aligning direction 23 to the two first and second alignment units 22 associated with the first aligning direction 23. Furthermore, provision is made here that the third alignment unit 22, associated with the second aligning direction 25, is arranged with regard to a longitudinal direction 27 of the suction module 9 centrally between the two first and second alignment units 22 associated with the first aligning direction 23. The longitudinal direction 27 of the suction module 9 is indicated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 respectively by a double arrow and extends parallel to a direction in which the individual cylinders 3 of the engine block 2 are arranged adjacent to one another in the engine block 2. This longitudinal direction 27 runs in FIG. 1 perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. The second aligning direction 25 runs here parallel to the longitudinal direction 27 of the suction module 9.

[0047] The individual alignment units 22 have respectively a first alignment element 28 arranged securely on the suction module 9 and a second alignment element 29 arranged securely on the cylinder head 6. The one of the two alignment elements 28, 29 is configured as alignment pin 30 in the examples which are shown here, whereas the respectively other alignment element 28, 29 is configured here as aligning opening 31, into which the associated alignment pin 30 engages for aligning the suction module 9 to the cylinder head 6. In the preferred embodiments shown here, respectively the first alignment element 28 formed on the suction module 9 is formed by such an alignment pin 30, whereas the second alignment element 29 formed on the cylinder head 6 is formed respectively by such an aligning opening 31.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the respective aligning opening 31 is configured so as to be elongate or respectively is formed by an elongated hole 32. The longitudinal direction of the respective elongated hole 32 extends here perpendicularly to the aligning direction 23, 25, which is associated with the respective alignment unit 22. In addition, the elongate aligning opening 31 has between its longitudinal ends a guide portion 33, which is defined by two wall portions lying opposite one another, running parallel to one another. These wall portions extend here perpendicularly to the aligning direction 23, 25, which is associated with the respective alignment unit 22. Therefore, the guide portion 33 defines the aligning direction 23, 25 of the respective alignment unit 22. The associated alignment pin 30 is now guided in the said guide portion 33 on the said wall portions, such that the respective alignment pin 30 in the respective elongate aligning opening 31 with respect to the aligning direction 23, 25 which is associated with this alignment unit 22, is centred in the aligning opening 31, whereas perpendicularly thereto, therefore in the respectively other aligning direction 23, 25, it is movable within the elongate aligning opening 31. In particular, the alignment pin 30, associated with the elongate aligning openings 31, can have a circular cross-section, as in the example of FIG. 5, perpendicularly to the attaching direction 24.

[0049] In FIG. 6 another embodiment is explained in further detail, which is also realized in the example of FIGS. 2 to 4. This embodiment is distinguished by being able to be produced at a particularly economical price. It is characterized in that the aligning openings 31 have respectively a circular cross-section perpendicularly to the attaching direction 24. The associated alignment pins 30 are configured so that they have a smaller bending stiffness perpendicularly to the aligning direction 23, 25, which is associated with the respective alignment unit 22, than parallel to this aligning direction 23, 25, which is associated with the respective alignment unit 22. For example, in the first alignment unit 22 shown on the left in FIG. 6, the first aligning direction 23 is provided. The associated alignment pin 30 is then equipped with a smaller bending stiffness in the second aligning direction 25 than in the first aligning direction 23. The same also applies to the second alignment unit 22 shown on the right in FIG. 6. The reverse conditions occur, however, with the third alignment unit 22 illustrated centrally in FIG. 6.

[0050] Direction-dependent bending stiffnesses are achieved here in that the associated alignment pin 30 has perpendicularly to the attaching direction 24 a pin cross-section which, parallel to the aligning direction 23, 25 which is allocated to the associated alignment unit 22, has a pin width 23 which is greater than a pin thickness 35, which runs parallel to the respectively other aligning direction 23, 25. In practical terms in the example shown in FIG. 6, with the first alignment unit 22 shown on the left, the pin width 34 is oriented parallel to the first aligning direction 23 and is dimensioned considerably greater than the associated pin thickness 35, which is oriented parallel to the second aligning direction 25. The same then also applies to the second alignment unit 22 illustrated on the right in FIG. 6. On the other hand, with the third alignment unit 22, shown centrally in FIG. 6, the orientations of pin width 34 and pin thickness 35 are reversed.

[0051] In the preferred example, the respective pin cross-section is flat, such that the pin cross-section along the pin width 34 between end portions, not designated in further detail, which are spaced apart from one another in the pin width direction, has a portion 36 in which the pin thickness 35 is constant.

[0052] Expediently, e.g. according to FIG. 4, all alignment units 22 lie here in the above-mentioned aligning plane 26, in which in the assembled state an attachment side 38 of the suction module 9, facing the cylinder head 6, lies against a connection side 39 of the cylinder head 6 facing the suction module 9.

[0053] The suction module 9 has expediently a module housing 37, on which the air inlet opening 10 and the air outlet openings 11 are formed. Here, also, the attachment side 38 is situated on this module housing 37. In addition, the through-openings 21 of the fastening means, not shown in further detail, are formed on the module housing 37.