Adjustable Camshaft Assembly with Integrated Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable camshafts for internal combustion engines face difficulties in assembly, as the locking element and spring element must be pre-installed correctly to avoid blocking and ensure proper latching, and reworking is challenging without disassembling the camshaft. Additionally, the process is prone to errors and distortion due to hardening or surface finishing of the support shaft.
Innovation Solution
The spring element and latching element are integrated into the cam assembly, allowing it to be slid onto the support shaft without prior arrangement, with the locking element and spring element being arranged after assembly, enabling precise prestressing and reworking without disassembly. This design eliminates the need for a receiving bore and ensures a positive-locking geometry between the carrier shaft and cam assembly, preventing distortion during hardening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking element and spring element are pre-installed in the support shaft before assembling the cam assembly, then the latching mechanism can function properly, but the assembly process becomes complex and error-prone, and reworking is difficult without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional assembly sequence by placing the locking element and spring element in the cam assembly rather than pre-installing them in the support shaft. This allows the cam assembly to be slid onto the support shaft freely, with the locking mechanism engaging automatically at the correct position, simplifying assembly and enabling easy reworking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and spring element are extracted from the support shaft and integrated into the cam assembly. This separation allows the support shaft to be hardened and finished without distortion concerns, while the locking mechanism remains accessible for assembly and reworking.
2Ease of manufacture
If a receiving bore is provided in the support shaft for the locking element, then the locking mechanism can be installed, but the bore may be distorted during hardening or surface finishing of the support shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving bore is extracted from the support shaft and relocated to the cam assembly. This eliminates the risk of bore distortion during support shaft hardening or surface finishing, while still providing a proper mounting location for the locking element and spring mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the locking element is spherical to allow easy engagement, then the cam assembly can be pushed onto the support shaft, but the locking element may block the assembly process if not positioned correctly
Solution Approach 1:
A groove structure is introduced as an intermediary feature in the support shaft that guides the spherical locking element into the correct position during assembly. This mediator ensures proper engagement without blocking the assembly process, combining the benefits of spherical geometry with precise positioning.
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 simplifies the assembly process, ensures correct prestressing of the latching element, allows for reworking without disassembly, and prevents distortion during surface finishing, enhancing the reliability and ease of use of the camshaft system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one latching element biased by a spring element
Data Source
Figure 1~4b
Figure 5~7b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft (1) for an internal combustion engine having a support shaft (11) which extends in the direction of a rotational axis (10), wherein at least one cam pack (12) having at least one cam element (13) is received on the support shaft (11) such that it can be displaced in the direction of a rotational axis (10), wherein the cam pack (12) can be latched in at least two axial latching positions on the support shaft (11), and wherein at least one latching element (15) which is prestressed by way of a spring element (14) and at least one latching element seat (16) are provided in order to form the latching positions, with the result that the latching element (15) can latch in the latching element seat (16) in the latching positions. According to the invention, the spring element (14) and the latching element (15) which is prestressed by way of it are received in the cam pack (12), and it is provided that the at least one latching element seat (16) is arranged on the support shaft (11).