Cam Phaser Locking Mechanism Unloading via Reaction Gearbox
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cam phasing systems face challenges in balancing the ability to lock the phaser with minimal slippage while minimizing the torque required to unlock the phaser for shifting the phase angle, and in maximizing overall system and component durability.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a cam phaser with a drive member and a driven member, a locking mechanism that can be unloaded by a reaction mechanism to allow relative rotation, and an engaging member that selectively actuates the locking mechanism to enable rotation. This configuration allows for the unlocking of the locking mechanism without introducing a gap between the locking mechanism and the drive or driven members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism is designed to lock the phaser with minimal slippage, then the reliability of the phasing system is improved, but the torque required to unlock the phaser increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction mechanism applies a preliminary unloading action to the locking mechanism before the engaging member attempts to actuate it. By first reducing the load on the locking mechanism through the reaction mechanism, the system prepares the locking mechanism to be more easily actuated, thereby reducing the torque required to unlock the phaser while maintaining reliable locking during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction mechanism serves as an intermediary between the engaging member and the locking mechanism. Instead of the engaging member directly overcoming the full locking force, the reaction mechanism mediates by first unloading the locking mechanism, then allowing the engaging member to actuate it with reduced force requirements
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is unloaded to allow relative rotation, then the ease of operation for phase angle adjustment is improved, but the stability of the phaser positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: a locked state for stable phaser positioning during operation, and an unlocked state for ease of phase angle adjustment. The reaction mechanism enables controlled transitions between these states by selectively unloading the locking mechanism, allowing the system to adapt its stability characteristics to operational needs
3Device complexity
If the engaging member directly actuates the locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force required to overcome locking stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction mechanism acts as an intermediary that reduces the force burden on the engaging member. By first unloading the locking mechanism through the reaction mechanism, the engaging member only needs to overcome reduced residual forces rather than the full locking stress, thereby reducing the actuation force requirement without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient unlocking of the locking mechanism, allowing for precise adjustment of the cam phase angle while maintaining system durability and minimizing torque requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction mechanism can be configured to selectively transmit the second torque to the driven member to unload the locking mechanism to allow the locking mechanism to move from a locked state to an unlocked state
Implementation Method 2
The locking mechanism can include a first locking member and a second locking member, which can be biased away from one another by a biasing element
Implementation Method 3
The reaction mechanism can be configured as a reaction gearbox that can include a planetary geartrain
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for a cam phaser are provided. In some configurations, the cam phaser includes a drive member having a first mating surface, a driven member having a second mating surface, and a locking mechanism arranged between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The locking mechanism is operable to contact the first mating surface and the second mating surface, in response to an outside force applied to the driven member that loads the locking mechanism. The cam phaser further includes an engaging member. The engaging member is configured to selectively actuate the locking mechanism to enable rotation of the driven member relative to the drive member. The cam phaser may include a reaction mechanism configured to receive additional force from an input mechanism and selectively transmit the additional force to the driven member to unload the locking mechanism.