It is known to have an engine having an engine case, wherein on an upper surface of the engine case (e.g., which accommodates a crankshaft, a clutch mechanism, and a transmission mechanism) there is provided an oil passage controlling apparatus that controls switching of oil passages so as to control the operations of other components (e.g., the transmission mechanism). Such an engine structure is known to include a cover which covers the oil passage controlling apparatus (for example, refer to JP-A No. S63-125490.)
One problem with this known structure is that the provision of a special cover for covering the oil passage controlling apparatus (the apparatus that controls the operations of the other components) increases both weight and cost (e.g., due to an increase in the number of components.) Another problem is that the oil passage controlling apparatus that controls the operations of the other components using the oil passages is located outside the engine case; thus hydraulic pathways provided between the oil passage controlling apparatus and the engine case cross over the engine case. Accordingly, high sealing performance is required between the oil passage controlling apparatus and the engine case, which has an impact on the attachability of the oil passage controlling apparatus.
With respect to the apparatus that controls the operations of the other components, particularly in an engine including clutch actuators which control a connecting/disconnecting operation of a clutch mechanism, one object of the present invention is to reduce the number of components and to improve the attachability of the clutch actuators by eliminating a cover for the clutch actuators.