Adjustable Roller Lever Actuator for Variable Valve Strokes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller lever actuating devices are limited in their ability to adapt to different applications, requiring separate devices for varying pivoting paths and strokes, which increases manufacturing and logistics costs.

Innovation Solution

The roller lever actuating device allows for multiple working positions of the pivot arm relative to the bearing base, enabling the same device to be used for different pivoting paths and strokes by adjusting the pivot bearing means, allowing for variable kinematic adaptation to various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate roller lever actuating devices are provided for each different application with varying pivoting paths and strokes, then the device can be precisely adapted to specific valve types, but manufacturing costs and logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different valve typesVSAvoidmanufacturing and logistics costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing base is designed with multiple pivot bearing units that can accommodate different pivot arms with varying pivoting paths. This allows a single actuating device type to serve multiple valve types (piston slide valves, poppet valves, etc.) with different stroke requirements, eliminating the need to manufacture separate actuator types for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot bearing means are segmented into multiple discrete units arranged on the bearing base. Each pivot bearing unit can independently support a pivot arm in a specific working position. This segmentation enables flexible configuration where the same bearing base can support different combinations of pivot bearing units to match different valve stroke requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of roller lever actuating devices are manufactured for different applications, then each device can be optimized for its specific application, but warehousing and logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific optimizationVSAvoidwarehousing and logistics costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By designing the bearing base with multiple pivot bearing units that can accommodate different pivot arm configurations, the invention creates a universal actuating device platform. This single platform can be configured for different valve types through selective assembly of pivot bearing units and adjustment of pivot arm positions, significantly reducing the variety of unique actuator types that need to be manufactured, stored, and managed in logistics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the roller lever is fixed in a single working position on the bearing base, then the device structure is simplified, but the device cannot be adapted to different valve types with different strokes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidadaptability to different valve types
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot bearing units are designed to be adjustable rather than fixed. The pivot arm can be positioned at different working positions on the bearing base by selecting different pivot bearing units or adjusting the position of existing units. This dynamic configurability allows the same device structure to adapt to different valve types and stroke requirements without requiring completely different device designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot bearing means are divided into multiple discrete, independently positionable units. This segmentation allows the pivot arm to be selectively positioned at different distances from the pivot axis by engaging different pivot bearing units, enabling the device to accommodate different valve strokes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3298312B1Roller lever actuating device, and roller lever valve arrangement equipped therewith
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP3298312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3298312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A roller lever valve arrangement (10) having at least one roller lever valve (1b) and a roller lever actuating device (2) are proposed, wherein the roller lever actuating device (2) has a bearing pedestal (6) which is fixed on a valve unit (3) and on which a roller lever (8) is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis (7). The roller lever (8) has a pivoting arm (26) which can be attached on the bearing pedestal (6) with the aid of pivot bearing means (25) differently in such a way that different working positions result for the roller lever (8), which different working positions differ from one another in terms of the spacing between the pivot axis (7) and a force output section (33a, 33b) of the pivoting arm (26) which interacts with an actuating section (19) of the valve unit (3).