Camshaft Axial Bearing via Form-Fitting Shaft Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camshaft designs face challenges in achieving precise and reliable axial bearing while maintaining easy adjustability, often resulting in increased production costs and malfunctions due to separate axial bearing elements that are far apart.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a form-fitting formation between the inner and outer shafts for axial support, where one shaft has a contact surface and the other has a corresponding surface for rotatable support, allowing for precise axial positioning and adjustability without the need for separate clamps, and optionally providing radial support through matching surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate bearing sleeves are used for axial fixation of the shafts, then the shafts can be mounted and dismounted, but the axial bearing elements are spaced far apart resulting in increased risk of malfunction and increased production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the axial bearing function with the form-fitting formation into a single integrated structure. The form-fitting formation on the inner shaft serves both to provide axial support and to enable mounting/dismounting, eliminating the need for separate bearing sleeves. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts, decreases spacing between bearing elements, and lowers production costs while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If separate bearing sleeves are used for axial fixation, then the shafts can be mounted, but the increased number of separate elements increases production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The axial bearing function is merged into the form-fitting formation, reducing the number of separate components. The form-fitting formation integrates both the mounting mechanism and the axial support function, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation for mounting and dismounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The form-fitting formation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mounting interface for the inner shaft, enables axial support, and allows for easy dismounting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated bearing sleeves, reducing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If dimensionally stable materials are provided on support surfaces, then precise axial mounting is achieved, but the requirement for similar temperature expansion coefficients limits material selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionally stable materials specifically at the support surfaces of the form-fitting formation where precise axial mounting is required. This localized application of special material properties ensures manufacturing precision at critical interfaces while allowing other parts of the shaft to use materials optimized for their specific functions, thus maintaining adaptability in material selection.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3A~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a camshaft, especially for motor vehicle engines, comprising a first shaft and a second shaft forming a hollow outer shaft (1) and an inner shaft (2) arranged coaxially in the outer shaft (1) and mounted in such a way that it can rotate in relation to the outer shaft (1). Said camshaft also comprises first cams (3a) arranged on the outer shaft (1) in a rotationally fixed manner, and second cams (3b) that are arranged on the outer shaft (1) and fixed to the inner shaft (2). According to the invention, the first shaft and the second shaft are supported against each other in the axial direction (x) by means of a formfitting shape (5), the first shaft, seen in the axial direction (x), comprising a first contact surface (6a) on one side of the formfitting shape (5) and a second contact surface (6b) on the other side of the formfitting shape (5), for supporting the second shaft in a rotationally movable manner by means of the formfitting shape (5).