Camshaft phaser and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a camshaft phaser and a vehicle. The rotor blades (21) and the stator projections (11) of the camshaft phaser are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction to form a plurality of groups of chambers, each group of chambers comprising a first chamber (A) and a second chamber (B), the rotor body is formed with a first chamber oil passage (22a) corresponding to each first chamber (A) and a second chamber oil passage (22b) corresponding to each second chamber (B), the outer peripheral wall of the rotor body is provided with at least one oil groove (23) recessed to the radial inner side, the oil groove (23) is communicated with one first chamber oil passage (22a) or one second chamber oil passage (22b), the side wall of the oil groove (23) closest to one rotor blade (21) extends in the axial direction, and when the rotor blade (21) contacts the stator projection (11), the opening of at least one oil groove (23) towards the radial outer side is completely shielded by the stator projection (11). The camshaft phaser according to the application has the advantages of simple structure, low cost and good deceleration buffering effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camshaft phaser and a vehicle including the camshaft phaser. Background Technology

[0002] The engine valve timing system is used to control the opening and closing time of the engine valves in a car. By controlling the opening and closing of the valves, the engine valve timing system optimizes engine performance. The camshaft phaser is one of the important components of the engine valve timing system.

[0003] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in order to avoid or reduce the impact noise caused by the mechanical contact between the stator protrusion 11 and the rotor blade 21 when the rotor 2 of the camshaft phaser rotates to the limit position during circumferential rotation (including the first limit position where the rotor blade 21 and the stator protrusion 11 contact each other when the rotor 2 rotates counterclockwise relative to the stator 1 and the second limit position where the rotor blade 21 and the stator protrusion 11 contact each other when the rotor 2 rotates clockwise relative to the stator 1), one possible method is to set the two oil holes on both sides of the rotor blade 21 to have the function of adjusting the speed of the rotor 2.

[0004] by Figure 2 Taking the oil hole 22, which is roughly located at the 12 o'clock position, as the rotor 2 rotates counterclockwise relative to the stator 1, causing the rotor blades 21 to approach the stator protrusion 11, the oil hole 22 is gradually blocked by the stator protrusion 11 and eventually blocked by it. Figure 2 The process from a to b to c represents the gradual counterclockwise rotation of rotor 2 relative to stator 1. During this process, for the first chamber A and the second chamber B separated by stator 1 and rotor 2, oil returns to the first chamber A and fills into the second chamber B. As the area of ​​the oil hole 22 facing the first chamber A gradually decreases, the speed at which oil flows out of the first chamber A gradually decreases until the oil hole 22 is finally blocked, and oil can only flow out of the first chamber A from the gap between rotor 2 and stator 1. During this process, the rotational speed of rotor 2 relative to stator 1 decreases, allowing rotor blade 21 to be buffered when approaching the first limit position. However, the ideal buffering adjustment process should occur almost instantaneously when rotor blade 21 contacts stator protrusion 11, but the above-mentioned buffering adjustment process is too long, which to some extent affects the adjustment speed of the camshaft phase adjuster.

[0005] Chinese patent publication CN110388243A discloses a camshaft phaser. In this patent, an additional oil passage is provided between the stator protrusion and the rotor blades. This additional oil passage causes the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the connection port communicating with the first chamber to gradually decrease as the rotor rotates clockwise relative to the stator. This design, to a certain extent, ensures the adjustment speed of the camshaft phaser. However, as the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the connection port decreases, the adjustment speed of the camshaft phaser is still affected to some extent. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome or at least mitigate the shortcomings of the prior art, and to provide a camshaft phaser with a simple structure, good buffering effect and little impact on the adjustment speed of the camshaft phaser, as well as a vehicle having the camshaft phaser.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a camshaft phaser is provided, having axial, radial, and circumferential directions, and including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is disposed radially inward of the stator and is rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor body and a plurality of rotor blades extending radially outward from the rotor body. The stator includes a stator body and a plurality of stator protrusions extending radially inward from the stator body. The plurality of rotor blades and the plurality of stator protrusions are alternately arranged circumferentially to form a plurality of circumferentially distributed sets of chambers. A set of chambers is formed between adjacent stator protrusions. Each set of chambers includes a first chamber and a second chamber separated by the rotor blades. The rotor body forms a first chamber oil passage corresponding to each first chamber and a second chamber oil passage corresponding to each second chamber, wherein...

[0008] The outer peripheral wall of the rotor body is provided with at least one oil groove that is recessed radially inward. Each oil groove communicates with an oil passage in the first chamber or an oil passage in the second chamber.

[0009] The sidewall of the oil sump closest to one of the rotor blades extends along the axial direction.

[0010] When the rotor rotates relative to the stator to the point where the rotor blades contact the stator protrusion, at least one of the oil grooves has its radially outward opening completely blocked by the stator protrusion.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the opening of the oil sump facing radially outward satisfies:

[0012] From the moment the rotor rotates in one direction relative to the stator to the first circumferential position where the oil sump begins to be partially obscured by the stator protrusion, until the rotor continues to rotate in the same direction relative to the stator through a non-buffered angle, the area of ​​the radially outward opening of the oil sump is not less than the area of ​​the opening of the oil passage connected to the oil sump located on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the size of the unbuffered angle is 3° to 5°.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, when the rotor rotates relative to the stator in one direction until the radially outward opening of the oil sump is completely blocked by the stator protrusion, the rotor can still rotate relative to the stator in that direction by a buffer angle until the rotor blades contact the stator protrusion.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the size of the buffer angle is 2° to 3°.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, there are at least two oil tanks, and the at least two oil tanks are respectively connected to a first chamber oil passage and a second chamber oil passage.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the oil groove extends axially to at least one end face of the rotor.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the opening of the oil groove on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor is rectangular.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the stator protrusion has a notch at its radially inner side and circumferential edge, and the notch communicates with the oil groove when the rotor rotates relative to the stator to the point where the oil groove is partially obscured by the stator protrusion.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided that includes a camshaft phaser according to the invention.

[0021] The camshaft phaser according to the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, and good deceleration damping effect. Therefore, vehicles including the camshaft phaser of the present invention also have the above-mentioned advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a possible camshaft phaser with a buffer function.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a camshaft phaser performing a buffer deceleration process.

[0024] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the rotor of a camshaft phaser according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figures 4 to 6 This is a schematic diagram of a camshaft phaser at different operating stages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor of a camshaft phaser according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0028] 1. Stator; 11. Stator protrusion; 12. Notch;

[0029] 2. Rotor; 21. Rotor blade; 22. Oil hole; 22a. First chamber oil passage; 22b. Second chamber oil passage; 23. Oil groove;

[0030] A. First chamber; B. Second chamber;

[0031] x-buffered angle; y-unbuffered angle;

[0032] L1 first circumferential position; L2 second circumferential position; L3 third circumferential position. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are for teaching those skilled in the art how to implement the present invention, and are not intended to exhaustively describe all possible ways of the invention, nor to limit the scope of the invention.

[0034] Reference Figures 3 to 7 A camshaft phaser according to the present invention is described.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the camshaft phaser according to the present invention includes a stator 1 and a rotor 2, the rotor 2 being disposed radially inside the stator 1 and being rotatable relative to the stator 1.

[0036] The stator 1 includes a cylindrical stator body and a plurality of stator protrusions 11 (four in this embodiment) extending radially inward from the stator body. The rotor 2 includes a cylindrical rotor body and a plurality of rotor blades 21 (four in this embodiment) extending radially outward from the rotor body. The plurality of stator protrusions 11 and the plurality of rotor blades 21 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, such that each rotor blade 21 is located between two adjacent stator protrusions 11.

[0037] The space between two adjacent stator protrusions 11 is divided into two independent chambers by rotor blades 21 located between these two stator protrusions 11. A sealing assembly that abuts against the stator body is provided at the tip of the rotor blade 21 to isolate the two chambers from each other. Thus, in Figure 4 The camshaft phaser shown forms four sets of chambers distributed circumferentially, each set including a first chamber A and a second chamber B.

[0038] All first chambers A are connected to the oil supply device via first chamber oil passages 22a formed within the rotor body, and all second chambers B are connected to the oil supply device via second chamber oil passages 22b formed within the rotor body. The first chamber oil passages 22a and second chamber oil passages 22b are independent of each other. It is worth noting that only the oil passages related to the buffer structure are specifically shown in the accompanying drawings of this application.

[0039] Simultaneously refer to Figure 3 At least one radially inwardly recessed oil groove 23 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the rotor body, and the oil groove 23 communicates with the oil passage (first chamber oil passage 22a or second chamber oil passage 22b). Preferably, there are at least two oil grooves 23, one of which communicates with the first chamber oil passage 22a and the other communicates with the second chamber oil passage 22b. It is worth noting that when only one oil groove is provided, the direction of rotation of the rotor 2 relative to the stator 1 toward the base position is defined as the return direction, and this one oil groove is provided on the return direction side of the rotor blade 21.

[0040] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the oil groove 23 extends through the axial direction of the rotor 2, meaning the oil groove 23 extends from one axial end face of the rotor 2 to the other axial end face; however, this is not mandatory. For example, refer to... Figure 7 In another embodiment, the oil groove 23 extends from one axial end face of the rotor 2 to the axial middle region of the rotor 2. This arrangement, where the oil groove 23 extends to at least one axial end face of the rotor 2, facilitates the machining of the oil groove 23. It should be understood that, where the machining method allows, the oil groove 23 may not extend to any one axial end face of the rotor 2, but may only be located in the axial middle region of the rotor 2, provided that the oil groove 23 communicates with an oil passage.

[0041] Figures 4 to 6 The diagram shows three states during the counterclockwise rotation of rotor 2 relative to stator 1. The buffering effect of oil groove 23 on rotor 2 will be described next in conjunction with these three rotation states.

[0042] The presence of the oil groove 23 ensures that when the rotor 2 rotates relative to the stator 1 until the oil passage and the stator protrusion 11 at least partially overlap in the radial direction, a gap is formed between the opening of the oil passage located on the radially outer side of the rotor 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the stator protrusion 11, which can be used to store oil.

[0043] Reference Figure 4 When at least one sidewall of the oil trough 23 (the right sidewall in the figure) does not contact the inner peripheral wall of the stator protrusion 11, the oil in the first chamber A can enter the oil trough 23 through the aforementioned gap and then flow back to the oil supply device through the first chamber oil passage 22a. In particular, the oil trough 23 satisfies the following: from the moment the first sidewall of the oil trough 23 (the left sidewall in the figure) contacts the inner peripheral surface of the stator protrusion 11 (when the left sidewall of the oil trough 23 moves to the first circumferential position L1 where the oil trough 23 is about to be blocked by the stator protrusion 11), until the oil trough 23 rotates through a non-buffered angle y in the circumferential direction (when the left sidewall of the oil trough 23 moves to the second circumferential position L2), the open area of ​​the oil trough 23 that allows oil to flow into the oil trough 23 (the area of ​​the oil trough 23 that is not blocked by the stator protrusion 11) is not less than the area of ​​the opening of the first chamber oil passage 22a on the inner peripheral surface of the rotor 2, and the non-buffered angle y is, for example, 3° to 5°. In this way, during the process of rotor 2 rotating through the non-buffered angle y, the flow rate of the oil flowing through the first chamber oil passage 22a is not affected, so rotor 2 will not decelerate prematurely.

[0044] Preferably, the sidewall of the oil sump 23 closest to one rotor blade 21 (in this embodiment, refer to...) Figure 4 The oil groove 23 connected to the first chamber oil passage 22a is the right side wall of the oil groove 23, and the oil groove 23 connected to the second chamber oil passage 22b is the left side wall of the oil groove 23, which is a plane extending axially. More preferably, the opening of the oil groove 23 on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2 is rectangular. The above-mentioned structural features of the oil groove 23 not only make the oil groove 23 easy to process, but also ensure that the rotor 2 does not decelerate prematurely during rotation.

[0045] Preferably, the stator protrusion 11 has a notch 12 on its radially inner side and circumferential edge. When the rotor 2 rotates relative to the stator 1 to a state where the oil groove 23 is partially covered by the stator protrusion 11, the notch 12 helps the oil flow into the oil groove 23 and prevents the rotor 2 from decelerating too early.

[0046] Reference Figure 5When rotor 2 continues to rotate relative to stator 1 until the second side wall (right side wall in the figure) of oil groove 23 also contacts the inner circumferential wall of stator protrusion 11 (the right side wall of oil groove 23 moves to the first circumferential position L1), the open area of ​​oil groove 23 decreases to zero, and rotor 2 begins to perform the desired deceleration and buffering. After this, the oil in the first chamber A can only flow out of the first chamber A through the gap between stator 1 and rotor 2, and the rotational speed of rotor 2 relative to stator 1 decreases rapidly.

[0047] Reference Figure 6 When rotor 2 continues to rotate relative to stator 1, causing the second sidewall of oil groove 23 to rotate counterclockwise to the third circumferential position L3, rotor blade 21 contacts stator protrusion 11, and rotor 2 no longer rotates counterclockwise relative to stator 1, thus completing the deceleration and buffering phase of rotor 2. The included angle (central angle) between the first circumferential position L1 and the third circumferential position L3 is defined as the buffer angle x. The magnitude of the buffer angle x will affect the buffering speed regulation effect. Those skilled in the art can design a reasonable value for the buffer angle x according to actual needs. For example, the buffer angle x is 2° to 3°, and more preferably, the buffer angle x is 2.5°.

[0048] This invention has at least one of the following advantages:

[0049] (i) The present invention does not require additional components when improving the camshaft phaser, so that the rotor of the camshaft phaser can be reasonably decelerated and buffered before rotating relative to the stator to the limit position, thereby reducing contact noise.

[0050] (ii) By controlling the size of the non-buffered angle y and the buffered angle x, the buffered speed of the rotor can be adjusted so that the rotor deceleration and buffering process does not start too early and thus affect the normal operation of the rotor.

[0051] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments of the present invention under the guidance of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention does not limit the length, width, and depth of the oil tank 23.

Claims

1. A camshaft phaser having axial, radial, and circumferential directions and including a stator (1) and a rotor (2), the rotor (2) being disposed radially inside the stator (1) and rotatable relative to the stator (1), the rotor (2) including a rotor body and a plurality of rotor blades (21) extending radially outward from the rotor body, the stator (1) including a stator body and a plurality of stator protrusions (11) extending radially inward from the stator body, the plurality of rotor blades (21) and the plurality of stator protrusions (11) being alternately arranged circumferentially to form a plurality of circumferentially distributed sets of chambers, a set of chambers being formed between adjacent stator protrusions (11), each set of chambers including a first chamber (A) and a second chamber (B) separated by the rotor blades (21), the rotor body forming a first chamber oil passage (22a) corresponding to each of the first chambers (A) and a second chamber oil passage (22b) corresponding to each of the second chambers (B), wherein, The outer peripheral wall of the rotor body is provided with at least one oil groove (23) that is recessed radially inward. Each oil groove (23) is connected to an oil passage (22a) of the first chamber or to an oil passage (22b) of the second chamber. The sidewall of the oil sump (23) closest to one of the rotor blades (21) extends along the axial direction. When the rotor (2) rotates relative to the stator (1) to the point where the rotor blades (21) contact the stator protrusions (11), at least one of the radially outward openings of the oil grooves (23) is completely blocked by the stator protrusions (11). When the rotor (2) rotates in one direction relative to the stator (1) until the opening of the oil groove (23) facing the radially outward is completely blocked by the stator protrusion (11), the rotor (2) can still rotate in the same direction relative to the stator (1) by a buffer angle (x) until the rotor blade (21) contacts the stator protrusion (11).

2. The camshaft phaser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening of the oil tank (23) facing radially outward satisfies: From the moment the rotor (2) rotates in one direction relative to the stator (1) to the first circumferential position (L1) where the oil groove (23) begins to be partially obscured by the stator protrusion (11), until the rotor (2) continues to rotate in the same direction relative to the stator (1) through a non-buffered angle (y), the area of ​​the radially outward opening of the oil groove (23) is not less than the area of ​​the opening of the oil passage connected to the oil groove (23) located on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor (2).

3. The camshaft phaser according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unbuffered angle (y) is between 3° and 5°.

4. The camshaft phaser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer angle (x) is between 2° and 3°.

5. The camshaft phaser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, There are at least two oil tanks (23), and the at least two oil tanks (23) are respectively connected to a first chamber oil passage (22a) and a second chamber oil passage (22b).

6. The camshaft phaser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The oil groove (23) extends axially to at least one end face of the rotor (2).

7. The camshaft phaser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The opening of the oil groove (23) on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (2) is rectangular.

8. The camshaft phaser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The stator protrusion (11) has a notch (12) on its radial inner side and circumferential edge. When the rotor (2) rotates relative to the stator (1) to the point where the oil groove (23) is partially covered by the stator protrusion (11), the notch (12) communicates with the oil groove (23).

9. A vehicle comprising a camshaft phaser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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