Control Valve Axial Length Reduction for Engine Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control valves for valve timing control devices in internal combustion engines have a large axial length due to the spaced layout of the main valve-body part and the male screw-threaded structural part, limiting layout flexibility and mountability within the engine room.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design with a cylindrical valve body that axially connects the driven rotary member to the camshaft, featuring a fixed part on the outer peripheral surface closer to the driven rotary member, and a spool valve element that overlaps with the fixed part in the axial cross-section, reducing the axial length by positioning them to overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the main valve-body part and male screw-threaded structural part are greatly spaced apart in the axial direction, then the control valve can be assembled and installed on the camshaft, but the axial length of the valve timing control device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the main valve-body part and male screw-threaded structural part by positioning them closer together in the axial direction, integrating their functions into a more compact arrangement that reduces overall axial length while maintaining assembly capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions components in the axial dimension to overlap the fixed part and spool valve element in axial cross-section, effectively utilizing axial space more efficiently and reducing the device's overall axial footprint
2Adaptability or versatility
If the axial length of the valve timing control device is reduced, then mountability inside the engine room is improved, but the layout of the main valve-body part and male screw-threaded structural part becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes axial overlap of components in cross-sectional views to reduce the device's axial footprint, allowing compact packaging that improves mountability while maintaining functional separation of parts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention positions the spool valve element to overlap with the fixed part in axial cross-section, creating a nested-like arrangement where components occupy overlapping axial spaces, thereby reducing overall device length without compromising functionality
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 minimizes the axial length of the device, enhancing its mountability and layout flexibility within the engine room while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid part for pushing the spool valve element in the other axial direction against the spring force of the valve spring
Implementation Method 2
a valve spring for biasing the spool valve element in one axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A control valve is configured to reduce an axial length of a device as much as possible, thereby improving its mountability. The valve is equipped with a valve body functioning as a cam bolt for connecting a vane rotor to one end of a camshaft, a sleeve fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the valve body, and a spool valve element axially slidably housed in the sleeve for switching between supply and discharge of working fluid to and from each of a phase-retard working chamber and a phase-advance working chamber. The valve body has a male screw part formed on an outer peripheral surface and screwed into a female screw part formed in a cam bolt hole. The position of formation of the male screw part and the position of the spool valve element are arranged to overlap with each other in an axial cross-section.