Camshaft Adjuster Spring Retainer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camshaft adjusting devices using coil springs and flat, spiral torsion springs face limitations in withstanding load cycles and packaging challenges, necessitating alternative spring retainers for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an outer spring retainer fixed to a spring cover plate and an inner spring retainer with a radial shoulder to securely attach a torsion spring to the rotor, eliminating the need for pins and bolts, and providing a robust attachment mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coil springs are used to change the resultant sum of moments, then the device can adjust camshaft timing, but the springs cannot withstand a large number of load cycles with high pre-torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring configuration from a single coil spring to multiple coil springs arranged in parallel. This parameter change distributes the load across multiple springs, reducing the stress on each individual spring and enabling the system to withstand a larger number of load cycles with high pre-torque requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If flat spiral torsion springs are used, then alternative spring retainers are needed, but packaging these retainers is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring retainer function with the existing cover structure of the camshaft adjusting device. The retainer is integrated into the cover rather than being a separate component, which simplifies packaging and assembly while maintaining the ease of spring attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specifically designed spring retainer component that acts as an intermediary between the torsion spring and the cover. This retainer provides a simplified attachment mechanism using features such as slots and lugs that facilitate easy spring installation while integrating smoothly into the overall device structure.
3Strength
If pins or bolts are used to fix springs to the rotor and stator, then the springs are securely attached, but the device becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pins and bolts from the spring attachment mechanism. Instead of using these separate fastening components, the design incorporates integrated attachment features directly into the spring and cover structure, such as slots, lugs, and retaining walls, which provide secure attachment without requiring additional fasteners.
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 enhances the durability and ease of assembly of camshaft adjusting devices by ensuring efficient attachment of torsion springs, improving the device's ability to withstand high loads and friction in internal combustion engines.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring positioned between the spring cover plate and the first cover plate, the torsion spring having an inner spring end connected to the rotor and an outer spring end engaged with the outer spring retainer
Implementation Method 2
A pressure medium is pumped onto one of the sides of the pressure chamber in order to shift the rotor relative to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
The camshaft adjusting device has an inner spring retainer which mates with a rotor and an outer spring retainer which is fixed on a spring cover plate.