Camshaft Adjuster Fluid Recirculation Using an Integrated Actuator Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camshaft adjusting systems suffer from high inertia due to long hydraulic fluid delivery paths, requiring an oil pump to reuse hydraulic fluid, as there is no intermediate reservoir to efficiently recycle fluid for adjustment procedures.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fluid guide section is integrated into the actuator of the camshaft adjusting system to deflect and guide the hydraulic fluid back into the camshaft adjuster, reducing delivery paths and eliminating the need for an oil pump by using the actuator as a guide part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic fluid drains directly into a tank, then the hydraulic fluid can be stored, but the delivery distance becomes long and system inertia increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator housing with the hydraulic fluid guide section, merging two previously separate components into one integrated unit. This eliminates the need for a separate return path to a distant tank, as the fluid is redirected locally back to the camshaft adjuster through the integrated guide section.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid guide section acts as an intermediary component that captures draining hydraulic fluid and redirects it back to the camshaft adjuster. This mediator component creates a local recirculation path that avoids the long delivery distance to a distant tank while ensuring fluid availability.
2Productivity
If an oil pump is used to reuse hydraulic fluid, then fluid can be circulated, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the actuator's own housing and integrated guide section to redirect and recirculate hydraulic fluid locally. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external oil pumps or complex recirculation systems, as the actuator itself provides the fluid guidance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the actuator mechanism and simultaneously functions as a hydraulic fluid guide section. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fluid recirculation components, reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a separate hydraulic fluid guide section is added, then fluid can be redirected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid guide section is merged with the actuator housing into a single integrated component. This combination maintains the fluid flow control functionality while reducing the total number of separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
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 configuration ensures hydraulic fluid is reused efficiently, reducing system inertia and simplifying the design by utilizing existing components, thereby enhancing the camshaft adjuster's operational efficiency and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic fluid guide section (8) is arranged on a side of the actuator (7) facing the camshaft adjuster (2), wherein this hydraulic fluid guide section (8) is formed so that a flow of hydraulic fluid (26) existing from the valve (5) into the surroundings of the camshaft adjuster (2) is deflected/guided back into the camshaft adjuster (2) in an operational state
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a camshaft adjusting system (1) for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including a hydraulic camshaft adjuster (2) which has a stator (3), a rotor (4) that is rotatably mounted in the stator (3), and a hydraulic control system (6) that has a valve (5). The rotor (4) has at least one vane which protrudes into a pressure chamber formed between the rotor (4) and the stator (3) such that the pressure chamber is divided into two sub-chambers, each of which interacts with the hydraulic control system (6) such that a hydraulic pressure ratio is established between the two sub-chambers, said ratio specifying a relative rotational position between the rotor (4) and the stator (3), and is adjusted on the basis of the position of the valve (5). The camshaft adjusting system also includes an actuator (7) which is arranged adjacently in the axial direction of the camshaft adjuster (2) and which acts on the valve (5) for adjusting purposes. A hydraulic fluid section (8) is arranged on an actuator (7) face facing the camshaft adjuster (2), with this hydraulic fluid section (8) being designed to deflect a flow of hydraulic fluid exiting the valve (5) into the surroundings of the camshaft adjuster (2) back into the camshaft adjuster (2) in an operational state.