Engine oil circulation apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

An engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle in which the temperature of the engine oil in an oil sump can be increased up to the desired set temperature within a short time just after starting an engine, and as a result, the engine oil having appropriate viscosity can be supplied to an engine lubricating system within a short time just after starting the engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle including an oil sump, comprising:
 an oil drain tray mounted in the oil sump;   an oil thermostat mounted below the oil drain tray to change a movement path of engine oil according to the temperature of the engine oil in an oil sump;   a main path through which the engine oil is sequentially circulated in the oil sump, an oil pump, an oil cooler, an oil filter, an engine lubricating system, the oil drain tray, the oil thermostat, and the oil sump; and   a bypass path fluidly connecting the oil drain tray and the oil pump with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support oil thermostat connecting to the main path that connects the oil pump and the oil cooler with each other to change the movement path of the engine oil according to the temperature of the engine oil; and   a support bypass path connecting the support oil thermostat and the oil filter with each other.   
     
     
         3 . The engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of oil through-holes for discharging the engine oil to the oil sump are formed in the oil drain tray. 
     
     
         4 . The engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the oil thermostat is immersed in the engine oil in the oil sump. 
     
     
         5 . The engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the oil thermostat includes:
 a housing having a first path connected with the oil drain tray, a second path connected to the oil sump, and a third path connected to the oil pump;   a valve member movably installed in the housing so that the engine oil introduced through the first path is discharged through the second path or the third path; and   a wax-type valve bar installed with both ends connected to the housing and the valve member and moving the valve with the length thereof decreased or increased according to the temperature of the engine oil.   
     
     
         6 . The engine oil circulation apparatus for a vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the oil thermostat further includes a valve spring installed with both ends thereof supported on the housing and the valve member to provide elastic force to restore the valve member when the valve bar contracts.