Patent ID: 12253206

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

FIG.1schematically shows a vehicle1according to an example. The vehicle1includes an internal combustion engine, ICE, system2having an internal combustion engine3. The ICE3is connected to a crankshaft (not shown), to which a flywheel12of a flywheel housing assembly10is connected for common rotation. A drive shaft6connects the ICE3to driving wheels7of the vehicle1via a transmission8connected to the flywheel12via a clutch (not shown).

The ICE system2comprising the ICE3and the flywheel housing assembly10is shown in closer detail inFIG.2. Further details of the flywheel housing assembly10according to an example is shown in closer detail inFIGS.3to6. Reference is also made toFIG.7, in which the flywheel housing assembly10is shown in an exploded view.FIG.7here also schematically illustrates a method for producing the flywheel housing assembly according to an example.

The flywheel housing assembly10will now be further described in an orientation to the ICE3, as illustrated in the figures, e.g.FIG.2, in combination withFIGS.3to7. However, the orientation of the ICE2and the flywheel housing assembly10as depicted inFIG.2is merely used as an example for ease of understanding the connection/attachment of the flywheel housing assembly10to the ICE3. Hence, other attachment arrangements and orientations of the flywheel housing assembly10to the ICE3may be conceivable. As indicated in e.g.FIGS.2to7, the ICE system2has an extension in a longitudinal direction X, an extension in a transverse direction Y and an extension in a vertical direction Z. In this coordinate system, the X-direction is parallel to the main extension of the ICE system2. In addition, in this coordinate system, the X-direction is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ICE3, as well as a parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flywheel housing assembly10. The Y-direction is parallel to the transvers extension of the ICE system2and the Z-direction is parallel to the vertical direction of the ICE system2. In a similar vein, as indicated in e.g.FIGS.2to7, the flywheel housing assembly10has an extension in the longitudinal direction X, an extension in the transverse direction Y and an extension in the vertical direction Z. The Y-direction is parallel to the transvers extension of the flywheel housing assembly10and the Z-direction is parallel to the vertical direction of the flywheel housing assembly10.

Turning now toFIG.2, which is a cross-sectional part of a portion of the ICE system2, more specifically, a bottom portion of the ICE system2extending along the longitudinal and vertical directions X and Z. As depicted inFIG.2, the ICE system2comprises the ICE3and the flywheel housing assembly10having the flywheel12. The ICE3may also comprise an engine block7, which is indicated in e.g.FIGS.6and7. The ICE3and the flywheel housing assembly10can be encompassed in a common casing, which generally defines the outer contour of the ICE system2. In addition, or alternatively, the ICE3and the flywheel housing assembly may be encompassed in separate housings.

The flywheel housing assembly10comprises a flywheel housing11, as partly illustrated inFIGS.2to6, and more closely inFIG.7. The flywheel housing11can be shaped in different ways, but generally defines an inner volume for the flywheel12. As depicted inFIG.2, the flywheel housing assembly10, and thus the flywheel housing11, is here arranged at the rear of the ICE3, pointing to the rear side of the vehicle1in a mounted state of the flywheel housing assembly10. By way of example, the flywheel housing assembly10, and thus the flywheel housing11, is arranged apart from the ICE3in the longitudinal direction X. Other arrangements may also be conceivable.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG.2, the ICE3comprises an oil pan8. The oil pan8may be an integral part of the ICE3or a part connected to the ICE3. The oil pan8is arranged as a lowermost part of the ICE2. In addition, the oil pan8is arranged to face the flywheel housing10, as illustrated in e.g.FIG.2. By way of example, the oil pan is arranged e.g. 150 mm below a crankshaft center, as defined by the longitudinal crankshaft center axis Xc inFIG.2andFIG.7. The ICE system2and the ICE may comprise additional components as is commonly known in the art.

Turning again to the flywheel housing11of the flywheel housing assembly10, the flywheel housing11is configured to accommodate the flywheel12, as illustrated inFIG.2, and further inFIGS.3to7. The flywheel housing11is normally the lowest point of the ICE system2, in the vertical direction Z because it may need to cover a bottom region of the rotating flywheel12. The flywheel housing11is normally cylindrically shaped at least in its bottom section17, as illustrated inFIG.3. The bottom section17of the flywheel housing may often extend 250 mm beneath the crankshaft9.

The flywheel housing11can be connected to the ICE2in any suitable manner. By way of example, the flywheel housing11is connected to the ICE via a connection portion15. The connection portion15is configured to connect the flywheel housing11to the ICE3. The connection portion15is e.g. a so-called timing gear plate, as illustrated inFIG.7. In addition, or alternatively, the flywheel housing11may be attached to the engine block7and/or to another part of a casing of the ICE3. In addition, or alternatively, the flywheel housing11may be attached to the oil pan8by a fastener (not illustrated). By way of example, as illustrated inFIG.2, the flywheel housing11comprises a flange portion11barranged to connect with a corresponding flange portion8aof the oil pan8. The flange portion11bis here connected to the flange portion8aof the oil pan8by one or more bolts (not illustrated). The connection portion15may thus also be provided in the form of one or more bolts or a fastening system. In this example, as illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the flywheel housing11comprises the connection portion15. Thus, the flywheel housing11is configured to connect with a part of the ICE3, as depicted inFIG.2andFIG.7.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.2, and also inFIGS.4and7, the flywheel housing11comprises an opening19for the crankshaft9. The crankshaft9is an integral part of the ICE system2. The flywheel12is configured to be connected to the crankshaft9of the ICE system2for common rotation about the center axis Xc. The crankshaft is only schematically illustrated inFIG.2. It should be noted that the crankshaft9generally extend along the center axis Xc, and across the ICE3and the flywheel housing11.

Turning again toFIG.2in combination with e.g.FIG.3, the flywheel housing11comprises a circumferential surface section11ahaving a number of outer surface regions. In this example, as illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the flywheel housing11comprises at least an outer side region18. The circumferential surface sections may collectively define the outer surface of the flywheel housing11, where the outer side region18is one of many surface sections of the flywheel housing11.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the outer side region18is arranged on the bottom section17of the flywheel housing. The outer side region18extends in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the outer side region18is a vertically extending side region of the bottom section17of the flywheel housing11, as illustrated inFIG.2. The bottom section17is the lower part, preferably the lowermost part, of the flywheel housing assembly10, as seen in the vertical direction Z, and as illustrated inFIGS.2to7.

The outer side region18is further arranged vertically underneath the connection point (e.g. the connecting portion15) between the ICE3and the flywheel housing12.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the outer side region18is here part of a longitudinal end portion16. The longitudinal end portion16extends in the transverse direction Y and in the vertical direction Z. The longitudinal end portion16may also include the connection portion15for attachment of the flywheel housing12to the ICE3. At least parts of the longitudinal end portion16may be an integral part of the circumferential surface section11a.

As further illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the outer side region18is arranged on the flywheel housing11to face the oil pan8. As depicted in e.g.FIG.2, the outer side region18is arranged with a distance X1 to the oil pan8, as seen in the longitudinal direction X. Hence, in this example, the outer side region18is arranged with a longitudinal distance X1 to the oil pan8.

As such, there is provided a free space between the oil pan8and the outer side region8of the flywheel housing assembly10, which is defined by the distance x1. Due to packaging and installation requirements on the components making up the ICE system2, the free space, i.e. the distance X1, should be kept to a minimum. While the distance X1 may vary for different installations and ICE systems, the distance X1 should be wide enough to fit the frame of the oil pan8, e.g. a flange portion8aof the oil pan8, as depicted inFIG.2.

The flywheel housing11is thus arranged spaced apart from the oil pan8by a distance X1 from the oil pan8so as to form a gap (the free space) therebetween. The gap is depicted inFIG.2with the distance X1. As such, the outer side region18is arranged with the distance X1 from the oil pan so as to form a gap between the outer side region18and a part of the oil pan8, e.g. a vertical side part of the oil pan, as illustrated inFIG.2.

In addition, the outer side region18extends in the vertical direction Z with an extension Z1, as illustrated in e.g.FIG.2. The extension Z1 is here defined as the distance between vertical end points of the outer side region18, as illustrated inFIG.2.

However, this arrangement of the flywheel housing11being located close to the ICE2may create a so called “loudspeaker syndrome”, causing vibrations and noise within the ICE system2. In addition, due to the thin section between the oil pan8and the flywheel12, as illustrated by the distance X1, it may generally be difficult to fit any noise protecting solutions outside the outer side region18.

The outer side region18is therefore configured to reduce any noise from the above arrangement. The noise reducing part is here provided by a through hole13and a corresponding vibration absorbing material14, as illustrated inFIGS.2to7. More specifically, as illustrated inFIG.2, and further inFIGS.3and4, the outer side region18comprises a through hole13. The through hole13is also illustrated inFIG.7.

FIG.3depicts a bottom view of the flywheel housing assembly10ofFIG.2, whileFIG.4shows a side view of the flywheel housing assembly10ofFIG.2at the oil pan8side. As can be seen fromFIGS.3and4, the free outside surface area of the flywheel housing11for any additional feature or component is rather limited.

As mentioned above, the flywheel housing assembly10comprises the vibration absorbing material portion14. As illustrated inFIGS.2to4, the vibration absorbing material portion14is arranged to seal the through hole13.

The vibration absorbing material portion14is located at, or on, an outer surface (corresponding to the outer side region18) of the flywheel housing11. The outer side region18is arranged between the flywheel12and the oil pan8, as seen in the longitudinal direction X. This is also further illustrated in e.g.FIG.6, which is a perspective view of parts of the flywheel housing11inFIG.2, where the flywheel housing assembly10is illustrated in a slightly inclined orientation so as to depict the lowermost part (bottom section17) of the flywheel housing11.

The outer side region18is arranged to face the oil pan8, such that the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14are located along the longitudinal end portion16extending in the vertical direction Z of the flywheel housing12. In addition, the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material14are arranged at the gap defined by the distance X1 between the flywheel housing12and the oil pan8. In the figures, the longitudinal end portion16is a vertical side of the flywheel housing11. Hence, the outer side region18is arranged to face the oil pan8such that the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14are located along the vertical side of the flywheel housing11.

The vibration absorbing material portion14provides for reducing noise from the flywheel12. Hence, the vibration absorbing material portion14provides for an improved noise abatement.

As illustrated inFIGS.2to6, the vibration absorbing material portion14covers closely the through hole13at the outer side region18of the bottom section17of the flywheel housing11.

As may be gleaned fromFIGS.2to4, the outer side region18encompasses only a small portion of the circumference of the flywheel housing11. That is, the outer side region18is only a small portion of the circumferential surface section11a. In a similar vein, the extension of the through hole13in the transverse direction Y and in the vertical direction Z encompasses only a small portion the outer side region18. As such, the vibration absorbing material portion14encompasses only a small portion the outer side region18.

The geometry and size of the through hole13may vary for different types of flywheel housing11. The geometry and size of the through hole13is generally selected based on a desired level of noise reduction for the particular flywheel housing11. By way of example, the through hole13has an extension in the vertical direction Z of about 4 cm to 15 cm, preferably the through hole13has an extension in the vertical direction Z of about 5 cm to 12 cm, still preferably the through hole13has an extension in the vertical direction Z of about 5 cm to 10 cm. In a similar vein, the through hole13has an extension in the transverse direction Y of about 4 cm to 15 cm, preferably the through hole13has an extension in the transverse direction Y of about 5 cm to 12 cm, still preferably the through hole13has an extension in the transverse direction Y of about 5 cm to 10 cm.

In addition, or alternatively, an area of the through hole13, as defined in the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z, is about 25 cm2 to 100 cm2, preferably an area of the through hole13, as defined in the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z, is about 40 cm2 to 80 cm2, still preferably, an area of the through hole13, as defined in the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z, is about 50 cm2 to 70 cm2.

The area of the vibration absorbing material portion in relation to the through hole13may vary depending on attachment of the vibration absorbing material portion14to the outer side region18. By way of example, the vibration absorbing material portion14may overlap the through hole13by a distance of about 1 cm around the through hole13. In other examples, the vibration absorbing material portion is shaped to fit inside the through hole13, as seen in the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z. Thus, the vibration absorbing material portion14can be provided in various shapes so as to seal the through hole13.

By the above arrangement of the vibration absorbing material portion14and the through hole13on the outer side region18, the vibration absorbing material portion14is arranged at a location which is vulnerable for emission of noise. In addition, by the above arrangement of the vibration absorbing material portion14on the outer side region18, the vibration absorbing material portion14is provided to replace a normally noise emitting area of the flywheel housing11. The vibration absorbing material portion14is thus arranged and configured to function as a vibration absorbent elastomer. Hereby, there is provided a vibration resistant cover for closing a pre-cut, such as the through hole13, of a part of the flywheel housing11, which is particularly subjected to noise, including vibration.

As further illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14are here complementary in shape. Each one of the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14may resemble a circle, an oval, a triangle, a square and/or a rectangle. InFIGS.2to7, the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14are essentially circular or oval in the transverse and vertical directions Y and Z.

As also illustrated inFIGS.2to6, the vibration absorbing material portion14is arranged inside the through hole13. In this manner, the vibration absorbing material portion14prevents dirt from an outside to enter an inside of the flywheel housing12.

The vibration absorbing material portion14is securely attached to the outer side region18. The vibration absorbing material portion14is securely attached to the outer side region18by means of adhesive or rubber, but may also be securely attached by means of rivets etc.

Also, as further illustrated inFIGS.2to7, the vibration absorbing material portion14is a plate-shaped material portion. By way of example, a thickness of the plate-shaped material portion corresponds to a thickness of the outer side region18of the flywheel housing11. The thickness may be determined in view of size of the flywheel housing and desired the noise frequencies. Generally, the thicker the portion is, the better is the improvement in noise abatement.

The vibration absorbing material portion14is here made by an elastic material. By way of example, the elastic material is rubber.

To sum up,FIGS.2to7illustrates a flywheel housing assembly10according to one example. The flywheel housing assembly10is intended for the ICE3. The flywheel housing assembly comprises the flywheel housing11for accommodating the flywheel12. The flywheel housing11is configured to connect with a part of the ICE3. The flywheel housing11has, or comprises, the opening19for the crankshaft9. The flywheel housing11comprises the outer side region18, which is intended to face the oil pan8of the ICE3in an assembled state with the ICE3. Further, the outer side region18comprises the through hole13and the vibration absorbing material portion14, which is arranged to seal the through hole13.

As noted above,FIG.7also schematically shows a method of manufacturing a flywheel housing assembly10according to one example. The method100comprises a step of providing S10a flywheel housing11for accommodating a flywheel12. The flywheel housing has an outer side region18intended to face an oil pan8of the internal combustion engine3. Moreover, the method100comprises a step of forming S20the through hole13at a portion of the outer side region18; and further a step of arranging S30the vibration absorbing material portion14at the through hole13, such that the vibration absorbing material portion14is arranged to seal the through hole13.

The vibration absorbing material14is arranged over the through hole13. Alternatively, or in addition, the vibration absorbing material may be arranged inside the through hole13. The vibration absorbing material may likewise be arranged insider the flywheel housing11so as to cover the through hole13from the inside of the flywheel housing11.

The through hole13can be made to an existing flywheel housing11having a solid outer side region18or be created during the manufacturing of the flywheel housing11.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising.” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” or “longitudinal” or “transverse” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the inventive concepts being set forth in the following claims.