Camshaft Thrust Ring Retainer for Engine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust bearing strategies for camshafts in engines are complex, costly, and can weaken the camshaft, while lubrication distribution to engine galleries often results in inadequate lubrication due to uneven fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A camshaft and cam gear assembly with a thrust ring and retainer system that uses threaded fasteners and interference fits to secure the cam gear and thrust ring, allowing for even lubrication distribution and eliminating the need for additional components like thrust grooves, which also facilitates pressure equalization among lubrication galleries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional thrust bearing strategies are used (integrally formed disc trapped in slot, or annular groove with housing protrusion), then the camshaft is constrained from moving along its axis of rotation, but the manufacturing complexity increases, cost increases, and the camshaft is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust bearing system is segmented into separate components: a thrust ring with a thrust bearing surface is positioned in an annular slot of the camshaft, and a separate retainer with thrust surfaces contacts the thrust ring. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integral structures (discs or grooves) while maintaining effective thrust constraint, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and preserving camshaft strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lubrication galleries are arranged in parallel to supply different engine components, then various components receive lubrication, but uneven fluid flow causes some galleries to receive excess lubrication while others receive inadequate lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust ring retainer incorporates a pressure equalization passage that connects parallel lubrication galleries, creating a pressure-equalizing network. This allows oil pressure to equalize across all galleries, ensuring each receives adequate lubrication flow regardless of individual gallery resistance or demand variations, thus improving lubrication reliability throughout the engine.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine includes a camshaft supported in a housing for rotation about an axis of rotation. A cam gear is attached to one end of the camshaft and includes a first thrust bearing surface. A thrust ring is attached to the cam gear and includes a second thrust bearing surface. A thrust ring retainer is attached to the housing with a plurality of bolts and includes a pair of thrust surfaces trapped between the first thrust bearing surface of the cam gear and a second thrust bearing surface of the thrust ring. The thrust ring retainer also defines a portion of a lubrication connection passage that facilitates pressure equalization among a plurality of lubrication galleries arranged in parallel adjacent the camshaft.