Patent ID: 7357113

Claim:
A baffle plate configuration of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a baffle plate that is provided below a rotational member arranged on or near a crankshaft and that prevents the rotational member and lubricant in a pan from interfering each other; a preventing portion that is provided at a rear end portion of the baffle plate, the rear end portion of the baffle plate being located on a rear side of the baffle plate that is an opposite side of the baffle plate in the axial direction of the crankshaft to a front side of the baffle plate, the front side of the baffle plate including an oil return path that allows a larger amount of lubricant to return to the pan at the front side of the baffle plate than the rear side of the baffle plate, the preventing portion being arranged such that the preventing portion prevents piston pumping air generated above the baffle plate from entering a space below the baffle plate through the rear end portion of the baffle plate; and a chain that is provided on the crankshaft and that transmits rotation of the crankshaft, the chain being located in front of the front side of the baffle plate in the axial direction of the crankshaft such that the front side of the baffle plate is in closer proximity to the chain than the rear side of the baffle plate in the axial direction of the crankshaft.