Camshaft Phase Adjuster Spring Clip Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camshaft adjusters face challenges in reliably positioning the rotor relative to the stator while minimizing weight and production costs, as traditional spring covers are heavy and costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A camshaft adjuster that uses a spring clip to securely hold the spring element in the axial direction on the sealing cover, reducing the need for massive spring covers and allowing for a cost-neutral, weight-reduced design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional spring covers are used to hold the spring element, then the spring element is securely positioned, but the weight and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of spring elementVSAvoidweight of spring cover
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring cover is segmented into a spring clip that can be attached to the sealing cover, separating the spring holding function from the main cover structure. This reduces the weight of the moving parts while maintaining secure positioning of the spring element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring clip is designed to nest onto the sealing cover, with the spring element nested within the spring clip structure. This nested arrangement allows secure positioning with minimal additional weight and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If traditional spring covers are used to hold the spring element, then the spring element is securely positioned, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of spring elementVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spring cover is segmented into a spring clip that can be attached to the sealing cover, separating the spring holding function from the main cover structure. This reduces the weight of the moving parts while maintaining secure positioning of the spring element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring clip is designed to nest onto the sealing cover, with the spring element nested within the spring clip structure. This nested arrangement allows secure positioning with minimal additional weight and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If massive spring covers are used, then the spring element is securely held, but the mass inertia and driving forces required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of spring elementVSAvoiddriving forces required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring cover is segmented into a spring clip that can be attached to the sealing cover, separating the spring holding function from the main cover structure. This reduces the weight of the moving parts while maintaining secure positioning of the spring element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring clip is designed to nest onto the sealing cover, with the spring element nested within the spring clip structure. This nested arrangement allows secure positioning with minimal additional weight and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The spring clip effectively prevents axial oscillation and jumping of the spring element, reducing mass inertia and driving forces required, while enabling reliable positioning and cost-effective manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element for positioning the rotor relative to the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

hydraulic medium can be applied to the pressure chambers, thus turning the rotor inside the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2638255B1Camshaft phase adjuster for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP2638255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2638255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2638255B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a camshaft adjuster (1, 51) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a stator (5) which is connectable in a rotationally fixed manner to a crankshaft, a rotor mounted in the stator (5) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, a sealing cover (7, 53) to minimize leakage, and also a spring element (9, 59) for positioning the rotor with respect to the stator (5). In this case, the spring element (9, 59) is held in the axial direction on the sealing cover (7, 53) via a spring clip (3, 41). The use of a spring clip (3, 41) affords a cost-neutral and reduced-weight possibility of reliably positioning the rotor with respect to the stator (5).