Adjustable Cam Profile Generation via Pre-Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camshaft grinding methods fail to prevent profile jumps and increased wear due to manufacturing tolerances and play between cam elements, leading to unwanted valve lift and accelerated wear of components.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating a cam profile on a camshaft with an adjustable cam assembly, where the adjusting cam element is machined with a continuous diameter reduction and positioned to spread apart from the fixed cam element during machining, ensuring a smooth transition and avoiding profile jumps by reducing the adjusting cam base circle diameter to less than the fixed cam nominal circle diameter minus double the tolerance, allowing the pick-off element to contact only the fixed cam base circle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the adjusting cam element is machined after assembly with the fixed cam element, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but profile jumps occur due to play between cam elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecam profile precisionVSAvoidprofile continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting cam element is pre-machined before assembly, and the fixed cam element is pre-positioned on the shaft. This preliminary action allows the adjusting cam to be machined in a controlled state without play, preventing profile jumps while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The camshaft is divided into separate components (adjusting cam element, fixed cam element, shaft) that are processed independently before assembly. The adjusting cam element is machined separately and then assembled, allowing precise control of each component's geometry without interference from play between parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the adjusting cam element is locked in position during machining, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the cam assembly loses adjustability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecam contour accuracyVSAvoidcam element adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting cam element is pre-machined to its final contour before assembly, ensuring manufacturing precision. After assembly, the adjusting cam can be rotated relative to the fixed cam element to achieve the desired adjustment, maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cam assembly is designed to be static during machining (adjusting cam locked in position) and dynamic during operation (adjusting cam rotatable relative to fixed cam). This allows manufacturing precision to be maintained while preserving adjustability functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manufacturing tolerances and play between cam elements are reduced, then cam profile accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecam profile accuracyVSAvoidcam assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The play and tolerances between cam elements are eliminated by extracting the adjusting cam element from the assembled state and machining it separately in a pre-assembled, play-free configuration. This removes the source of inaccuracy without requiring tighter tolerances on all components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary machining state where the adjusting cam element is held in position relative to the fixed cam element during machining, but not permanently locked. This intermediary state allows accurate machining while preserving the ability to adjust the cam element after assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3234312B1Method for producing a cam profile of a cam pack of a camshaft, and camshaft
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG
  • EP3234312B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3234312B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3234312B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a cam profile of a cam pack of a cam shaft, said cam pack having at least two cam elements that can be adjusted in relation to each other, and to a camshaft, wherein the camshaft comprises an outer shaft, an inner shaft arranged concentrically within the outer shaft in such a way that the inner shaft can be rotated, and at least one fixed cam element connected to the outer shaft for conjoint rotation and one adjustment cam element connected to the inner shaft for conjoint rotation, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: processing an adjustment cam contour of the adjustment cam element by means of the continuous diameter reduction of at least one segment of the adjustment cam base circle, wherein the adjustment cam base circle is reduced to a diameter that is smaller than a fixed cam nominal circle diameter minus a doubled adjustment cam base circle tolerance, and processing a fixed cam contour of the fixed cam element by reducing a fixed cam contour protrusion at least in a region between a transition point, upon the reaching of which a tapping element for converting a revolving motion of the cam elements into a linear motion of the valves is transferred from the fixed cam element to the adjustment cam element, and is placed to a processing point.