Adjustable Receptacles for Camshaft Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for positioning functional elements on a shaft within a housing are costly and require precise alignment, leading to deviations and the need for repositioning, especially when assembling different camshafts, which complicates the assembly process and necessitates multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable angular position receptacles allows for initial rough positioning of the shaft, followed by fine adjustments of functional elements using movable formations that can pivot or move relative to the receptacles, enabling precise alignment without delaying the assembly process and allowing for the use of the same mounts for different camshafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed-position receptacles are used for functional elements, then the alignment process is simpler, but the manufacturing precision of angular position deteriorates due to molding deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are made adjustable in their angular positions rather than fixed. Each receptacle can be independently positioned and locked at any angular location, transforming the system from static to dynamic. This allows the alignment process to remain simple while achieving high precision by adjusting receptacle positions to compensate for molding deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular position parameter of each receptacle is made variable rather than fixed. By allowing continuous adjustment of the angular position parameter, the system can adapt to molding variations and achieve precise alignment without requiring perfect initial positioning or multiple specialized devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple specialized devices are used for different camshafts, then the angular position precision for each camshaft type is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single assembly device is designed to handle multiple different camshaft types through the adjustable receptacles. Each receptacle can be repositioned to accommodate different functional elements and angular requirements, making one device universal for assembling various camshaft configurations without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable receptacles provide dynamic reconfigurability, allowing the same device to adapt to different camshaft types. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed specialized devices while maintaining the ability to achieve precise angular positioning for each specific camshaft configuration.
3Productivity
If rough positioning is used without fine adjustment capability, then the assembly process is faster, but the angular position precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates both rough positioning capability and fine adjustment capability in a single integrated process. The adjustable receptacles allow operators to quickly establish rough positions and then make precise fine adjustments as needed, maintaining both high assembly speed and high angular position precision without requiring multiple separate operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for positioning and mounting a plurality of functional elements (2, 3, 4). The functional elements (2, 3, 4), for example cams, bearings or gearwheels, are first positioned within a housing (5), which is placed over said elements, in such a way that all the recesses (6, 7, 8) and openings (9) in the housing (5) for a shaft (10) are in alignment on a common straight line (11). The previously cooled shaft (10) is then inserted from the outside through the openings in the housing (5) and the recesses (6, 7, 8) of the functional elements (2, 3, 4) in the joining direction (F). Receptacles serve to temporarily fix the functional elements (2) in the exactly predetermined angular position, which receptacles are each provided with a moulding that is formed so as to be pivotable relative to the respective receptacle. In this way, it is possible in a simple manner to adjust the angular position on the shaft (10) after positioning the shaft within the housing (5).