Coupled Valve Train Release Elements for Component Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve train devices for internal combustion engines are complex and costly due to the need for multiple components to control gas exchange valves, which complicates the management of release elements and increases the number of components required.
Innovation Solution
A valve train device with coupled release elements and a switch rod connected for conjoint rotation to the camshaft, allowing for common control of release elements across multiple cylinders, reducing the number of components and enabling phase offset for synchronization with ignition sequences, while occupying reduced mounting space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate release elements are used for each valve actuating unit, then each valve can be controlled independently, but the number of components increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple release elements are merged into a single common release element that is shared across multiple valve actuating units. This common release element is actuated by a single actuator that controls the switching between cam followers for multiple cylinders, thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining independent control capability through phase offset arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The common release element serves multiple functions by being shared across different valve actuating units for different cylinders. A single actuator controls the release element for multiple valve actuating units, making the system more universal and reducing component count while maintaining the ability to control each valve independently through timing and phase offset
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate actuators are used for each release element, then precise control of each valve is achieved, but the number of components and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuators are merged into a single common actuator that controls the release element for multiple valve actuating units. This single actuator is positioned to actuate the common release element, and through the phase offset arrangement of the release elements, achieves precise control timing for each valve without requiring separate actuators for each cylinder
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions by controlling the release element for different valve actuating units across multiple cylinders. The actuator is positioned and configured to actuate the common release element, and the phase offset arrangement enables precise control timing for each valve, making the single actuator universal for controlling multiple valves
3Adaptability or versatility
If release elements are arranged with phase offset, then synchronization with ignition sequence is achieved, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release elements are arranged asymmetrically with phase offset relative to each other on the camshaft. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the release elements are actuated at different timing positions corresponding to the ignition sequence of different cylinders, achieving synchronization without requiring complex control logic
Data Source
AI summary
A valve train device includes a camshaft, a first valve actuating unit for actuating at least one first gas exchange valve, and a second valve actuating unit for actuating at least one second gas exchange valve. The first valve actuating unit has at least one first release element connected to the camshaft for conjoint rotation and the second valve actuating unit has at least one second release element connected to the camshaft for conjoint rotation. The release elements are coupled to each other.