Engine Timing Chain Guide Reinforcing Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automobile engine timing chain guides face deformation and breakage due to excessive loads and high temperature conditions, despite the use of durable materials or thick base plates, which are not feasible due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The chain guide features a base plate with narrow reinforcing grooves formed by surface pressing, which enhances the plate's strength by removing strain and allowing it to maintain a predetermined chain path without increasing thickness, while also acting as internal oil passages to dissipate frictional heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base plate is made of more durable materials to enhance strength, then the resistance to deformation and breakage is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the base plate by introducing reinforcing grooves through surface pressing. This modifies the stress distribution and structural integrity without changing the material composition, thereby maintaining strength while using conventional materials and avoiding increased manufacturing costs associated with exotic materials
2Strength
If the thickness of the base plate is increased to avoid deformation and breakage, then the strength and stability are improved, but the space available in the engine is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing thickness in the vertical dimension, the invention introduces reinforcing grooves that extend longitudinally along the base plate. This adds structural strength through a different dimensional approach (longitudinal reinforcement features) without increasing the overall thickness or encroaching on engine space
3Stability of the object's composition
If the thickness of the base plate is increased to prevent deformation under load, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is segmented through the introduction of reinforcing grooves that divide the plate structure into distinct zones. This segmentation creates multiple reinforcement regions along the length of the base plate, improving stability under load while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity
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
The solution effectively prevents deformation and breakage of the base plate under high loads and temperature conditions, maintaining a stable chain path and improving endurance without the need for a thick base plate, and effectively dissipates heat to prevent excessive heat accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The improvement resides in the formation, by surface pressing, of at least one narrow reinforcing groove in one of the front and back surfaces of the base plate
Implementation Method 2
acting as internal oil passages to dissipate frictional heat
Data Source
AI summary
Longitudinal grooves having rectangular cross-sections are formed by surface pressing in the front and/or back surfaces of the metal base plate of a chain guide. In the case of a chain guide for a roller chain, the grooves can be positioned so that they are located opposite the parts of the shoe surface that is contacted by the link plates on both sides of the chain.