Camshaft Adjusting Apparatus Eccentric Shaft Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camshaft adjustment devices face challenges in achieving a high step-down ratio with a compact design and high efficiency due to the eccentric arrangement of the externally toothed gear, which complicates the transmission of circular movement to coaxially arranged input and output elements.

Innovation Solution

The externally toothed gear is mounted on at least two eccentric shafts, each drivable to rotate about a respective eccentric axis, allowing the eccentric circular movement to be translated into a rotational movement around the central axis, enabling a coaxial design of the actuating mechanism with a high step-down ratio and efficient torque transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the externally toothed gear is arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis to achieve high step-down ratio, then the transmission ratio is improved, but the structural complexity and difficulty of transmitting circular movement to coaxial elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestep-down ratioVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The externally toothed gear is segmented and mounted on multiple eccentric shafts (at least two) instead of a single shaft. Each eccentric shaft can rotate about its own eccentric axis, and the gear is distributed across these shafts. This segmentation allows the circular movement to be transmitted more effectively to coaxial elements while maintaining the high step-down ratio achieved through the eccentric arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the externally toothed gear is arranged eccentrically to achieve high transmission ratio, then the compact design is improved, but the ease of operation and transmission of circular movement to coaxial elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompact designVSAvoidtransmission of circular movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple eccentric shafts act as intermediaries between the centrally arranged electric motor and the camshaft. Each eccentric shaft rotates about its own eccentric axis and carries a portion of the externally toothed gear. These intermediate eccentric shafts facilitate the transmission of circular movement from the motor to the camshaft while maintaining coaxial arrangement of the motor and camshaft, thus improving ease of operation while preserving compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single eccentric shaft is used to mount the externally toothed gear, then the structure is simplified, but the reliability and smooth transmission of circular movement to coaxial elements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsmooth transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple eccentric shafts are merged into a coordinated system where each shaft contributes to the overall circular movement transmission. The externally toothed gear is distributed across these shafts, and their combined rotation about各自的偏心轴 creates a smooth, reliable transmission of circular movement to the coaxial camshaft. This merging of multiple shafts improves reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for a compact, efficient actuating gear with a high step-down ratio, simplifying the structure and facilitating precise control of the camshaft's phase position relative to the drive wheel, while maintaining coaxial alignment of all elements around the central axis.

Implementation Method 1

the externally toothed gear wheel is mounted eccentrically on at least two eccentric shafts, each eccentric shaft being drivable to rotate about a respective eccentric axis, the eccentric axes being eccentric with respect to the central axis arranged and rotatable about the central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP2603675B1Camshaft adjusting apparatus
Publication Date: 2014.11.26 MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KG
  • EP2603675B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2603675B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2603675B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An adjusting apparatus for the relative adjustment of a camshaft with regard to a drive gear which drives the camshaft coaxially comprises an actuating mechanism which is active between the drive gear and the camshaft and can be driven by means of an electric motor in order to adjust the camshaft. The actuating mechanism has an internally toothed gearwheel and an externally toothed gearwheel which is in engagement with the former, wherein the internally toothed gearwheel can be rotated about a central axis of the adjusting apparatus, and the externally toothed gearwheel is arranged eccentrically with regard to the central axis and can be driven about the central axis to produce a circular movement. The externally toothed gearwheel is mounted eccentrically on at least two eccentric shafts, wherein each eccentric shaft can be driven about a respective eccentric axis to produce a rotational movement, wherein the eccentric axes are arranged eccentrically with regard to the central axis and can be rotated about the central axis.