Hydraulic tensioner, timing system and vehicle

Abstract

A hydraulic tensioner, a timing system and a vehicle. The hydraulic tensioner comprises a tensioner housing, wherein the tensioner housing is provided with an oil cavity oil inlet (31), a high-pressure oil cavity (12), and a low-pressure oil storage cavity (6) in communication with the high-pressure oil cavity, the low-pressure oil storage cavity comprising at least two oil storage sub-cavities (61); two adjacent oil storage sub-cavities are in communication with each other by means of a communication channel (62); and the tensioner housing comprises a main housing (1) and a barrier buffer section (23) arranged between two adjacent oil storage sub-cavities, the barrier buffer section and the main housing being spaced apart from each other to form the communication channel. The barrier buffer section can limit sloshing of oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity, which is beneficial to reducing the sloshing amplitude of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity, thereby reducing the amount of oil thrown out through the oil inlet, and thus avoiding the risk of abnormal noise during startup caused by excessive oil loss in the low-pressure oil storage cavity.

Description

Hydraulic tensioner, timing system and vehicle

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411390775.4, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "Hydraulic tensioner, timing system and vehicle", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a hydraulic tensioner, a timing system and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0004] The engine timing system transmits the crankshaft driving torque to the camshaft and cooperates with the VVT (Variable Valve Timing) to realize accurate and controllable intake and exhaust phase through fixed transmission ratio and relative position relationship, so as to make the engine run normally. The engine timing system is divided into a timing chain system and a timing belt system.

[0005] In the timing chain system, in order to avoid excessive chain tension leading to abnormal sound or even chain rupture, or low chain tension leading to abnormal sound or even tooth skipping failure, a timing tensioner needs to be configured. The timing tensioner is divided into a hydraulic tensioner, a spring tensioner, etc.

[0006] At present, the hydraulic tensioner usually has an oil storage cavity which can store a certain amount of oil. However, when the vehicle is running, the oil in the oil storage cavity of the tensioner is thrown out due to vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., resulting in excessive loss of oil. Since the engine is stopped, the oil cannot be replenished, resulting in insufficient oil storage in the oil storage cavity when the engine starts next time, which is easy to cause starting abnormal sound. SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure provides a hydraulic tensioner, a timing system and a vehicle, which aims to at least solve the technical problem in the prior art that the excessive loss of oil in the oil storage cavity of the tensioner leads to insufficient oil storage in the oil storage cavity when the engine starts next time, which is easy to cause starting abnormal sound.

[0008] In the first aspect of the present disclosure, a hydraulic tensioner is provided, comprising a tensioner housing, the tensioner housing having an oil cavity oil inlet, a high-pressure oil cavity and a low-pressure oil storage cavity in communication with the high-pressure oil cavity, the low-pressure oil storage cavity comprising at least two sub-oil storage cavities, adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities being in communication through a communication channel;

[0009] The tensioner housing comprises a main housing and a barrier buffer section arranged between two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities, the barrier buffer section is arranged spaced apart from the main housing to form the communication channel;

[0010] The volumes of at least some of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities are different, and the oil cavity oil inlet is in communication with the sub-oil storage cavity with the smallest volume among the at least two sub-oil storage cavities.

[0011] Optionally, the first cross section of at least one barrier buffer section is in any one of arc shape, U shape, and V shape, the first cross section is perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities, and is perpendicular to the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main housing.

[0012] Optionally, the low-pressure oil storage cavity and the high-pressure oil cavity are oppositely arranged along a second direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity, and is parallel to the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main housing.

[0013] The openings of the arc shape, the U shape, and the V shape all face away from the high-pressure oil cavity, and the barrier buffer section is formed by inward recessing of the tensioner housing.

[0014] Optionally, the tensioner housing further comprises an oil storage housing, the main housing comprises a main body plate, the oil storage housing comprises a sub-oil storage housing section, the sub-oil storage housing section and the main body plate enclose the sub-oil storage cavities, and the barrier buffer section and the main body plate are spaced apart to form the communication channel.

[0015] The first cross section of at least one barrier buffer section is in arc shape, and the barrier buffer section is smoothly connected to the sub-oil storage housing section through an arc-shaped transition section.

[0016] Optionally, the hydraulic tensioner further comprises an oil inlet pipe connected to the tensioner housing, and the oil cavity oil inlet is in communication with the oil inlet pipe.

[0017] The oil inlet pipe has an oil pipe oil inlet, and the oil pipe oil inlet is higher than the connection between the oil inlet pipe and the sub-oil storage cavity.

[0018] Optionally, along the extension direction of the oil inlet pipe, the height difference between the connection between the oil inlet pipe and the sub-oil storage cavity and the oil pipe oil inlet of the oil inlet pipe is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0019] The cross section of the oil inlet pipe is in circular shape, and the diameter of the oil inlet pipe is 8 mm-10 mm.

[0020] Optionally, the at least two sub-oil storage cavities are arranged along the extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity.

[0021] Along the arrangement direction of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities, the sub-oil storage cavity with the smallest volume at one end of the low-pressure oil storage cavity is in communication with the oil cavity oil inlet, and the sub-oil storage cavity at the other end of the low-pressure oil storage cavity is in communication with the high-pressure oil cavity.

[0022] Optionally, the number of the sub-oil storage cavities is two, and the two sub-oil storage cavities include a first sub-oil storage cavity and a second sub-oil storage cavity in communication and adjacent to each other;

[0023] The oil cavity oil inlet is in communication with the top of the first sub-oil storage cavity, and the bottom of the second sub-oil storage cavity is in communication with the high-pressure oil cavity;

[0024] The volume of the second sub-oil storage cavity is greater than the volume of the first sub-oil storage cavity.

[0025] Optionally, along the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main shell, the size of the second sub-oil storage cavity is smaller than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity;

[0026] Along the arrangement direction of the first sub-oil storage cavity and the second sub-oil storage cavity, the size of the second sub-oil storage cavity is greater than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity.

[0027] Optionally, along the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main shell, the size of the barrier buffer section between the two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities is greater than or equal to the size of the communication channel between the two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities.

[0028] Optionally, along the direction of the communication channel pointing to the adjacent sub-oil storage cavity, the size of the communication channel in the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main shell gradually increases.

[0029] Optionally, the total volume of the low-pressure oil storage cavity is greater than the volume of the high-pressure oil cavity.

[0030] In the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a timing system is also provided, which comprises the hydraulic tensioner as described above.

[0031] In the third aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a vehicle is also provided, which comprises the timing system as described above.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present application, the low-pressure oil storage cavity includes at least two sub-oil storage cavities in communication, and a barrier buffer section is arranged between the two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities. Under the conditions of vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., the barrier buffer section can limit the flow of oil in the two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities, thereby limiting the shaking of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity, which is beneficial to reducing the shaking amplitude of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity, so as to reduce the amount of oil thrown out through the oil cavity inlet, and thereby avoid the risk of starting abnormal noise caused by excessive loss of oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity. In addition, the volume of the sub-cavity connected to the oil cavity inlet is the smallest, that is, the amount of oil stored in the sub-oil storage cavity connected to the oil cavity inlet is the least, which can further reduce the amount of oil thrown out through the oil cavity inlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a front structure schematic diagram of a hydraulic tensioner provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig. 2 is a back structure schematic diagram of a hydraulic tensioner provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Fig. 3 is a structure schematic diagram of an oil storage shell and an oil inlet pipe in a hydraulic tensioner provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of a hydraulic tensioner provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig. 5 is a structure schematic diagram of a low-pressure oil storage cavity in a hydraulic tensioner provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Reference signs: 1-main shell, 11-main body plate, 111-first mounting hole, 12-high-pressure oil cavity, 2-oil storage shell, 21-first sub-oil storage shell section, 22-second sub-oil storage shell section, 23-barrier buffer section, 24-recessed space, 25-arc-shaped transition section, 3-oil inlet pipe, 31-oil inlet, 4-plunger, 41-oil outlet, 5-sealing element, 6-low-pressure oil storage cavity, 61-sub-oil storage cavity, 62-communication channel. DETAILED EMBODIMENT

[0040] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0041] The embodiments of the present application are used only to explain the present application, and not to limit the scope of the present application. The present application is described in more detail in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are very simplified and use non-precise proportions, only to facilitate, clearly assist in the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] At present, the hydraulic tensioner usually has an oil storage cavity which can store a certain amount of oil. However, when the vehicle is running, the oil in the oil storage cavity of the tensioner is thrown out due to vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., resulting in excessive loss of oil, and since the engine is stopped, the oil cannot be replenished, resulting in insufficient oil storage in the oil storage cavity when the engine starts next time, which is easy to cause abnormal noise during starting. In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a hydraulic tensioner, a timing system and a vehicle, which will be described in detail below.

[0043] In a first aspect, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the hydraulic tensioner provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a tensioner housing having an oil cavity oil inlet, a high-pressure oil cavity 12, and a low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 in communication with the high-pressure oil cavity 12, the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 including at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61, adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 being in communication through a communication channel 62; the tensioner housing includes a main housing 1 and a blocking and buffering section 23 arranged between adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61, the blocking and buffering section 23 being arranged apart from the main housing 1 to form the communication channel 62; the volumes of at least part of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61 are not equal, and the oil cavity oil inlet is in communication with the sub-oil storage cavity 61 with the smallest volume among the at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61.

[0044] The hydraulic tensioner is applied to an engine timing chain system in a vehicle. The hydraulic tensioner is specifically a timing tensioner, which is a tensioner configured in the engine timing chain system to avoid abnormal noise and even chain rupture caused by excessive chain tension, or abnormal noise and even tooth skipping failure caused by low chain tension.

[0045] Each sub-oil storage cavity 61 can be a concave cavity structure. The number of sub-oil storage cavities 61 included in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 can be two, three, four, etc. The number of sub-oil storage cavities 61 included in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is preferably two. Preferably, the volume of each sub-oil storage cavity 61 is not equal. The high-pressure oil cavity 12 is formed in the main housing 1. The hydraulic tensioner includes an oil storage housing 2, and the blocking and buffering section 23 is a part of the oil storage housing 2 located between adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61. The main housing 1 includes a main body plate 11, and the oil storage housing 2 and the main body plate 11 enclose the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6. The blocking and buffering section 23 is specifically spaced apart from the main body plate 11 in the main housing 1 to form the communication passage 62. The oil cavity oil inlet is provided on the oil storage housing 2. The spacing direction of the blocking and buffering section 23 and the main housing 1 can be the front-to-back direction of the hydraulic tensioner, and the spacing direction of the blocking and buffering section 23 and the main housing 1 can refer to the direction shown by the B arrow in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. When the chain needs to be tensioned, the oil pump is started, and the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is pumped into the high-pressure oil cavity 12. The oil entering the high-pressure oil cavity 12 will push the plunger 4 to provide hydraulic pressure. During the driving process of the vehicle, due to vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 may be thrown out of the oil inlet.

[0046] When the engine in the vehicle is running, the oil pump can provide sufficient oil pressure to the hydraulic tensioner to maintain the normal operation of the hydraulic tensioner. After the engine is stopped, the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 in the hydraulic tensioner can store a certain amount of oil, so as to ensure that the hydraulic tensioner relies on the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 to quickly establish hydraulic pressure before the next engine start and the main oil passage oil pressure is not fully established, avoiding the risk of cold start knocking noise caused by insufficient hydraulic pressure during the start process.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present application, the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 includes at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61 connected in communication, and the blocking and buffering section 23 is arranged between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61. Under the conditions of vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., the blocking and buffering section 23 can limit the flow of oil in the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61, thereby limiting the shaking of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6, which is beneficial to reduce the shaking amplitude of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6, thereby being able to reduce the amount of oil thrown out through the oil inlet 31, and further being able to avoid the risk of starting noise caused by excessive loss of oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6. In addition, the volume of the sub-oil storage cavity 61 connected in communication with the oil cavity oil inlet is the smallest, that is, the amount of oil stored in the sub-oil storage cavity 61 connected in communication with the oil cavity oil inlet is the least, which can further reduce the amount of oil thrown out through the oil inlet 31.

[0048] In summary, the hydraulic tensioner provided by the embodiment of the present application can be adapted to a vehicle with a range extender. When the vehicle encounters vibration, bumping, climbing, etc. during driving, sufficient oil can be maintained in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 5, the first cross section of the at least one barrier buffer section 23 is in any one of an arc shape, a U shape, and a V shape, the first cross section is perpendicular to a first direction of the barrier buffer section 23, the first direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61, and is perpendicular to the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section 23 and the main housing 1. The first direction of the barrier buffer section 23 is consistent with a first direction of the oil storage housing 2, the first direction of the oil storage housing 2 can refer to the direction shown by the C arrow in FIG. 3. Preferably, the cross section of each barrier buffer section 23 is in any one of an arc shape, a U shape, and a V shape. The cross section of the barrier buffer section 23 is preferably in an arc shape, and the opening of the arc shape faces away from the high-pressure oil cavity 12. When the cross section of the barrier buffer section 23 is in the above shape, the path of the engine oil flow can be increased to ensure the effect of reducing the engine oil sloshing amplitude.

[0050] Preferably, referring to FIG. 4, the hydraulic tensioner further comprises a plunger 4 movably connected to the tensioner housing, and a drain port 41 is formed in the plunger 4 and communicates with the high-pressure oil cavity 12. The engine oil can be sprayed out through the drain port 41 on the plunger 4 to lubricate the chain. In addition, the drain port 41 can serve as an exhaust port, and the gas in the high-pressure oil cavity 12 can be quickly discharged through the drain port 41 to speed up the oil replenishment speed.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 and the high-pressure oil cavity 12 are oppositely arranged along a second direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity 12, and is parallel to the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section 23 and the main housing 1; the openings of the arc shape, the U shape, and the V shape all face away from the high-pressure oil cavity 12, and the barrier buffer section 23 is recessed inwardly from the tensioner housing.

[0052] The extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity 12 is consistent with the axis direction of the plunger 4, and the extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity 12 can refer to the direction shown by the A arrow in FIGS. 1 and 4. The high-pressure oil cavity 12 is preferably located at the front side of the hydraulic tensioner, and the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is preferably located at the back side of the hydraulic tensioner. The barrier buffer section 23 is specifically recessed inwardly from the oil storage housing 2. The barrier buffer section 23 forms a recessed space 24 outside the tensioner housing. In this embodiment, the openings of the arc shape, the U shape, and the V shape face away from the high-pressure oil cavity 12 and face the engine cylinder, and the barrier buffer section 23 is recessed inwardly from the tensioner housing to provide arrangement space for other structures such as an oil passage on the engine cylinder.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the oil storage shell 2 comprises a sub-oil storage shell section, the sub-oil storage shell section and the main body plate 11 form a sub-oil storage cavity 61, and the communication passage 62 is formed between the barrier buffer section 23 and the main body plate 11. The first cross section of the at least one barrier buffer section 23 is arc-shaped, and the barrier buffer section 23 is smoothly connected with the sub-oil storage shell section through the arc-shaped transition section 25. By setting the first cross section of the barrier buffer section 23 as arc-shaped and the arc-shaped transition section 25, the resistance of the oil flow is reduced, which is beneficial to the circulation of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6.

[0054] The second direction is parallel to the thickness direction of the main body plate 11, the high-pressure oil cavity 12 is located on one side of the main body plate 11 along the second direction, and the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is located on the other side of the main body plate 11 along the second direction. The intersection between the main body plate 11 and the oil storage shell 2 is provided with a sealing element 5. The main body plate 11 is provided with at least one first mounting hole 111, the first mounting hole 111 is used for connecting with the engine cylinder through a bolt, and the shape of the first mounting hole 111 can be circular. The sealing element 5 can have at least one second mounting hole corresponding to the at least one first mounting hole 111, the shape of the second mounting hole can be circular, and the second mounting hole is used for passing through the bolt, at this time, the sealing element 5 is connected between the main body plate 11 and the engine cylinder through the bolt. In the embodiment, the sealing element 5 is arranged at the intersection between the main body plate 11 and the oil storage shell 2, which is used to ensure the sealing performance of the connection between the main body plate 11 and the oil storage shell 2, so as to prevent the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 from leaking, and to ensure stable oil storage.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the hydraulic tensioner further comprises an oil inlet pipe 3 connected with the tensioner shell, and the oil cavity oil inlet is in communication with the oil inlet pipe 3; the oil inlet pipe 3 has an oil pipe oil inlet 31, and the oil pipe oil inlet 31 is higher than the connection between the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61. Along the extension direction of the oil inlet pipe 3, the height difference between the connection between the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil pipe oil inlet 31 of the oil inlet pipe 3 is greater than or equal to 20 mm; the cross section of the oil inlet pipe 3 is circular, and the diameter of the oil inlet pipe 3 is 8 mm-10 mm.

[0056] The height difference between the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil inlet port 31 of the oil pipe along the extension direction of the oil inlet pipe 3 is specifically the height difference between the lowest point of the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the lowest point of the oil inlet port 31. The height difference between the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil inlet port 31 of the oil pipe can refer to H1 shown in FIG. 2. The height difference H1 between the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil inlet port 31 of the oil pipe can be 20 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, etc. The height difference H1 between the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil inlet port 31 of the oil pipe is preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than 60 mm. The oil inlet port 31 is arranged at the top of the oil inlet pipe 3, the bottom of the oil inlet pipe 3 is connected to the oil cavity inlet port, and the oil enters the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 from the oil inlet port 31 through the oil inlet pipe 3 and the oil cavity inlet port. Under the conditions of vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is specifically thrown out through the oil cavity inlet port, the oil inlet pipe 3 and the oil inlet port 31 thereon. When the height difference between the connection of the oil inlet pipe 3 and the sub-oil storage cavity 61 and the oil inlet port 31 of the oil pipe is within the above range, the possibility of oil being thrown out can be reduced, and the oil thrown out can flow back to the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6.

[0057] The diameter of the oil inlet pipe 3 can be 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, 10 mm, etc. The diameter of the oil inlet pipe 3 is preferably 8 mm. When the diameter of the oil inlet pipe 3 is within the above range, the diameter of the oil inlet pipe 3 is larger, which is beneficial for the oil thrown out to flow back to the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61 are arranged along the extension direction of the high-pressure oil cavity 12. Along the arrangement direction of the at least two sub-oil storage cavities 61, the sub-oil storage cavity 61 located at one end of the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 and having the smallest volume is connected to the oil cavity inlet port, and one of the sub-oil storage cavities located at the other end of the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 is connected to the high-pressure oil cavity 12. In this embodiment, one of the sub-oil storage cavities 61 is connected to the oil inlet pipe 3 through the oil cavity inlet port, and the other sub-oil storage cavities 61 are not connected to the oil inlet pipe 3. The blocking and buffering section 23 can limit the amount of oil flowing from the other sub-oil storage cavities 61 to the sub-oil storage cavity 61 connected to the oil inlet pipe 3, further reducing the amount of oil thrown out through the oil inlet pipe 3 and the oil inlet port 31.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to FIGS. 2-5, the number of sub-oil storage cavities 61 is two, and the two sub-oil storage cavities 61 include a first sub-oil storage cavity and a second sub-oil storage cavity connected and adjacent to each other; the oil cavity inlet port is connected to the top of the first sub-oil storage cavity, and the bottom of the second sub-oil storage cavity is connected to the high-pressure oil cavity 12; the volume of the second sub-oil storage cavity is greater than that of the first sub-oil storage cavity.

[0060] In this embodiment, the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 adopts a twin-oil-storage-cavity 61 design. The oil storage shell 2 comprises a first sub-oil-storage-shell section 21, a second sub-oil-storage-shell section 22, and a barrier buffer section 23 connecting the first sub-oil-storage-shell section 21 and the second sub-oil-storage-shell section 22, which are integrally formed. The first sub-oil-storage-shell section 21 and the main body plate 11 form a first sub-oil-storage cavity, and the second sub-oil-storage-shell section 22 and the main body plate 11 form a second sub-oil-storage cavity. The first sub-oil-storage cavity is closer to the plunger 4 than the second sub-oil-storage cavity. The bottom of the second sub-oil-storage cavity is connected to the high-pressure oil cavity 12 through a damping oil channel, or the bottom of the second sub-oil-storage cavity is connected to the high-pressure oil cavity 12 through a one-way valve.

[0061] The shape of the cross section of the first sub-oil-storage cavity perpendicular to the second direction can be the same as that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity perpendicular to the second direction, or can be different from that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity perpendicular to the second direction. The shape of the cross section of the first sub-oil-storage cavity perpendicular to the second direction can be square, and the shape of the cross section of the second sub-oil-storage cavity perpendicular to the second direction can be triangular. The depth of the first sub-oil-storage cavity can be the same as that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity, or can be different from that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity.

[0062] Preferably, the depth of the first sub-oil-storage cavity is equal to that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity. In the first direction of the oil storage shell 2, the depth of the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 can be greater than 15 mm, so as to ensure that the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6 has sufficient space to store engine oil.

[0063] In order to provide sufficient engine oil storage capacity, the volume of the second sub-oil-storage cavity connected to the high-pressure oil cavity 12 can be greater than 2.5 cc (cubic centimeters), and the volume of the first sub-oil-storage cavity can be greater than 1 cc. The volume of the second sub-oil-storage cavity can be greater than or equal to twice the volume of the first sub-oil-storage cavity. The first sub-oil-storage cavity is directly connected to the oil inlet pipe 3 through the oil cavity oil inlet, and the volume of the first sub-oil-storage cavity is less than that of the second sub-oil-storage cavity, so as to further reduce the amount of engine oil thrown out through the oil inlet pipe 3 and the oil inlet 31.

[0064] The size of the second sub-oil storage cavity in the direction away from the main housing 1 is smaller than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity; and the size of the second sub-oil storage cavity in the arrangement direction of the first sub-oil storage cavity and the second sub-oil storage cavity is larger than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity. The size of the second sub-oil storage cavity in the direction away from the main housing 1 can refer to W2 shown in FIG. 5, and the size W2 of the second sub-oil storage cavity can be 10-15 mm. The size of the first sub-oil storage cavity can refer to W3 shown in FIG. 5, and the size W3 of the first sub-oil storage cavity can be 17-20 mm. When the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity in the direction away from the main housing 1 is larger, the communication between the first sub-oil storage cavity and the oil inlet pipe 3 with a larger diameter is facilitated, so that the oil can flow more smoothly from the oil inlet pipe 3 into the first sub-oil storage cavity. The size of the second sub-oil storage cavity in the arrangement direction of the first sub-oil storage cavity and the second sub-oil storage cavity is larger than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity, so that the volume of the second sub-oil storage cavity can be larger than the volume of the first sub-oil storage cavity.

[0065] If the bottom of the first sub-oil storage cavity is communicated with the oil inlet pipe 3, the bottom of the oil inlet pipe 3 will have oil in advance. In the case of vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc., the oil is easy to be thrown out. In the embodiment, the oil inlet pipe 3 is communicated with the top of the first sub-oil storage cavity. In the case of vehicle static, there is no oil in the oil inlet pipe 3, and the oil is not easy to be thrown out in the case of vehicle vibration, bumping, climbing, etc.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to FIG. 5, the size of the buffer barrier 23 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 in the direction away from the main housing 1 is greater than or equal to the size of the communication channel 62 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61, so that the buffer barrier 23 can more effectively reduce the shaking amplitude of the oil in the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6.

[0067] Preferably, the size of the buffer barrier 23 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 in the direction away from the main housing 1 is greater than twice the size of the communication channel 62 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61. The size of the buffer barrier 23 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 in the direction away from the main housing 1 can refer to W1 shown in FIG. 5, and the size W1 of the buffer barrier 23 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 can be greater than 15 mm. The size of the communication channel 62 between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 in the direction away from the main housing 1 can be less than 5 mm, preferably 3-5 mm, to ensure smooth flow of oil in the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 and good barrier effect. The distance between the adjacent two sub-oil storage cavities 61 can be set by comprehensively considering the surrounding arrangement space, the volume of the low-pressure oil storage cavity 6, product process, etc.

[0068] Referring to Fig. 5, the dimension of the communication passage 62 in the direction away from the main housing 1 gradually increases in the direction of the adjacent sub-oil storage chamber 61, so as to ensure smooth flow of oil between the two adjacent sub-oil storage chambers 61. The direction of the communication passage 62 pointing to one of the adjacent sub-oil storage chambers 61 can refer to the direction shown by the arrow D in Fig. 5.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the total volume of the low-pressure oil storage chamber 6 is greater than the volume of the high-pressure oil chamber 12, so as to ensure sufficient oil supplement during engine starting.

[0070] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a timing system, which comprises the hydraulic tensioner provided in the first aspect. Since the timing system comprises the hydraulic tensioner, the timing system also has the beneficial effects of the hydraulic tensioner, which will not be described herein.

[0071] The timing system is specifically an engine timing system, which can transmit the torque of a crankshaft to a camshaft, and cooperates with a VVT to realize accurate and controllable intake and exhaust phase through fixed transmission ratio and relative position relationship, so as to realize normal operation of the engine. The engine timing system is specifically an engine timing chain system.

[0072] In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a vehicle, which comprises the timing system provided in the second aspect. The vehicle can be a fuel vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, such as a range-extender hybrid vehicle.

[0073] It should be noted that, in the present text, the relationship terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between the entities or operations. Moreover, the terms “include”, “contain” or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or equipment including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, article or equipment. Without more limitation, the element defined by the statement “including a…” does not exclude the presence of another identical element in the process, method, article or equipment including the element.

[0074] It should be understood that when an element as a component of one assembly is referred to as being "fixed" to another assembly, it can be directly on the other assembly or intervening assemblies can also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements can be present. When an element is referred to as being "disposed" on another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements can be present. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", and the like as used herein are used for explanation purposes only.

[0075] Each of the embodiments in the specification is described in a relevant manner, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. Each of the embodiments focuses on the difference from other embodiments. In particular, for the system embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the part of the method embodiments.

[0076] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principle of the present application is included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0077] The hydraulic tensioner, timing system and vehicle provided by the present application are described in detail above, and the principle and implementation manner of the present application are described by applying specific examples in the present application. The above embodiment is only used to help understand the structure of the present application and its core idea. Meanwhile, for the general technical personnel in the field, according to the idea of the present application, the specific implementation manner and application range will be changed, and the above description should not be understood as the limitation of the present application.

Claims

1. A hydraulic tensioner comprising a tensioner housing having an oil cavity inlet, a high pressure oil cavity, and a low pressure oil storage cavity in communication with the high pressure oil cavity, the low pressure oil storage cavity comprising at least two sub oil storage cavities, two adjacent sub oil storage cavities being in communication through a communication channel; the tensioner housing comprising a main housing and a barrier buffer section arranged between two adjacent sub oil storage cavities, the barrier buffer section being spaced apart from the main housing to form the communication channel; the volume of at least some of the at least two sub oil storage cavities is not equal, the oil cavity inlet being in communication with the sub oil storage cavity having the smallest volume among the at least two sub oil storage cavities.

2. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 1, wherein, a first cross section of at least one barrier buffer section is in any one of an arc shape, a U shape, and a V shape, the first cross section being perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the at least two sub oil storage cavities and the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main housing.

3. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 2 wherein, the low pressure oil storage cavity and the high pressure oil cavity are oppositely arranged along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the extension direction of the high pressure oil cavity and parallel to the spacing direction of the barrier buffer section and the main housing; the opening of the arc shape, the U shape, and the V shape all faces away from the high pressure oil cavity, the barrier buffer section being formed by inward recess of the tensioner housing.

4. Hydraulic tensioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tensioner housing further comprises an oil storage housing, the main housing comprises a main body plate, the oil storage housing comprises a sub oil storage housing section, the sub oil storage housing section and the main body plate enclose the sub oil storage cavity, the communication channel is formed by the spacing between the barrier buffer section and the main body plate; a first cross section of at least one barrier buffer section is in an arc shape, the barrier buffer section is smoothly connected to the sub oil storage housing section through an arc transition section.

5. Hydraulic tensioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hydraulic tensioner further comprises an oil inlet pipe connected to the tensioner housing, the oil cavity inlet is in communication with the oil inlet pipe; the oil inlet pipe has an oil pipe inlet, the oil pipe inlet is higher than the connection between the oil inlet pipe and the sub oil storage cavity.

6. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 5, wherein, along the extension direction of the oil inlet pipe, the height difference between the connection between the oil inlet pipe and the sub oil storage cavity and the oil pipe inlet of the oil inlet pipe is greater than or equal to 20 mm; the cross section of the oil inlet pipe is in a circular shape, the diameter of the oil inlet pipe is 8-10 mm.

7. Hydraulic tensioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least two sub oil storage cavities are arranged along the extension direction of the high pressure oil cavity; along the arrangement direction of the at least two sub oil storage cavities, the sub oil storage cavity having the smallest volume at one end of the low pressure oil storage cavity is in communication with the oil cavity inlet, and the sub oil storage cavity at the other end of the low pressure oil storage cavity is in communication with the high pressure oil cavity.

8. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 7, wherein, the number of the sub oil storage cavities is two, the two sub oil storage cavities comprise a first sub oil storage cavity and a second sub oil storage cavity which are in communication and adjacent; the oil cavity inlet is in communication with the top of the first sub oil storage cavity, and the bottom of the second sub oil storage cavity is in communication with the high pressure oil cavity; the volume of the second sub oil storage cavity is greater than that of the first sub oil storage cavity.

9. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 8, wherein, The size of the second sub-oil storage cavity is smaller than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity along the direction of separation between the barrier buffer section and the main shell. The size of the second sub-oil storage cavity is larger than the size of the first sub-oil storage cavity along the arrangement direction of the first sub-oil storage cavity and the second sub-oil storage cavity.

10. Hydraulic tensioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The size of the barrier buffer section between two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities is larger than or equal to the size of the communication passage between the two adjacent sub-oil storage cavities along the direction of separation between the barrier buffer section and the main shell.

11. The hydraulic tensioner of claim 10, wherein, The size of the communication passage gradually increases along the direction of separation between the barrier buffer section and the main shell.

12. Hydraulic tensioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein The total volume of the low-pressure oil storage cavity is larger than the volume of the high-pressure oil cavity.

13. A timing system comprising the hydraulic tensioner of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A vehicle comprising the timing system of claim 13, or the hydraulic tensioner of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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