Camshaft Adjuster Non-Return Valve Metal Sheet Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camshaft adjustors for internal combustion engines face challenges in effectively managing negative pressure in pressure chambers, leading to inefficiencies in hydraulic fluid management and potential over-extension of non-return valves.
Innovation Solution
A camshaft adjustor design featuring a non-return valve with a closure part held by bent metal sheet ends, allowing for economical production and incorporating a stop to limit valve lift, along with a rotor and stator configuration that includes vanes and grooves for accommodating the non-return valve, ensuring controlled fluid flow between the pressure chamber and volume reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-return valve is used to manage negative pressure in the pressure chamber, then hydraulic fluid management is improved, but the non-return valve may become over-extended and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a stop element that limits the maximum lift of the non-return valve closure part. This stop element is positioned to prevent the closure part from being sucked into the channel completely, thereby preventing over-extension and damage before it can occur. The stop element acts as a protective measure that is already in place before any harmful over-extension can happen.
2Strength
If a complex non-return valve structure is used to prevent over-extension, then valve durability is improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the stop element directly into the metal sheet structure from which the non-return valve closure part is formed. The bent ends of the metal sheet itself serve as the stop elements, eliminating the need for separate stop components. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the protective function, as the stop elements are created during the same forming process as the closure part.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing the metal sheet structure to automatically provide its own stop elements through its geometric configuration. The bent ends of the metal sheet form inherent stops that limit valve lift without requiring external components or additional manufacturing steps. The structure serves its own protective function through its own geometry.
3Ease of operation
If the non-return valve is allowed to lift freely to manage negative pressure, then hydraulic fluid management is improved, but the valve may become damaged due to over-extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-positioning stop elements that limit the closure part's travel distance. These stops are built into the metal sheet structure and prevent the closure part from being sucked into the channel beyond a safe distance. This protective measure is in place before any over-extension can occur, ensuring the valve maintains operational reliability while still allowing sufficient lift for proper hydraulic fluid management.
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 design enhances the camshaft adjustor's ability to manage negative pressure, preventing over-extension of the non-return valve and ensuring efficient hydraulic fluid management, thereby improving the engine's phase position adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a non-return valve (72) having a closure part (102) for blocking a channel (88) which opens a volume reservoir (70) into a pressure chamber (44)
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the bent ends of the metal sheet covers the closure part (102) at least in part. In this way, a stop for the non-return valve, which limits the lift thereof
Implementation Method 3
a volume reservoir (70) for equalizing a negative pressure in the pressure chamber (44) via a channel (88) between the pressure chamber and the volume reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A camshaft adjustor (4), for an internal combustion engine (2), the camshaft adjustor having a stator (20), a rotor (22) which is rotatably accommodated in the stator (20), a pressure chamber (44) for adjusting the rotor (22) in relation to the stator (20) and a volume reservoir (70) for equalizing a negative pressure in the pressure chamber (44) via a channel (88) between the pressure chamber (44) and the volume reservoir (70). A non-return valve (72) having a closure part (102) for blocking a channel (88) which opens a volume reservoir (70) into a pressure chamber (44) in a camshaft adjustor (4), wherein the non-return valve (72) is formed of a metal sheet and the closure part (102) is realized so as to be movable in a recess (98) of the metal sheet (92) with two oppositely situated ends (94, 96) which are bent toward each other.