Engine Brake Anti-Clatter Assembly Eccentric Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy-duty work vehicles experience clatter due to aberrant movement of engine brake components, which can lead to noise, fatigue, and potential part failure.

Innovation Solution

An anti-clatter assembly is introduced, which includes a latch pin or a spring and linkage mechanism that provides a restraining force in the unbraked condition and a yielding force in the braked condition, preventing clatter without impeding engine braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the eccentric is freely pivoting on the rocker shaft, then engine braking can be activated and deactivated smoothly, but clatter occurs due to aberrant movement of the eccentric

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine braking operationVSAvoidclatter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A anti-clatter assembly is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the eccentric and the engine brake system. This assembly includes a restraining element that selectively engages with the eccentric to prevent aberrant movement and clatter, while allowing the eccentric to pivot freely when needed for engine braking activation and deactivation. The intermediary assembly thus mediates between the conflicting requirements of preventing clatter and maintaining smooth braking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a restraining force is applied to the eccentric to prevent clatter, then noise and fatigue are reduced, but the eccentric cannot pivot freely for engine braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and fatigueVSAvoidengine braking activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-clatter assembly employs a dynamic restraining mechanism that adapts its level of constraint based on operational conditions. The restraining element is configured to engage with the eccentric during normal operation to prevent clatter, while automatically disengaging or yielding when engine braking is activated, allowing the eccentric to pivot freely. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing restraint only when necessary and maintaining freedom of movement when required for braking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 anti-clatter assembly effectively mitigates clatter during normal engine operation while allowing seamless activation and deactivation of engine braking, enhancing the operational reliability and reducing noise and fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

The latch pin is disposed in the pressure chamber and is driven by hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic circuit into the active position in which the latch pin physically abuts the eccentric to impede the eccentric from pivoting about the rocker shaft in the unbraked condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The engine brake has an eccentric mounted to the rocker shaft and coupling one of the rocker arms to the rocker shaft to pivot eccentrically as the eccentric pivots about the rocker shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 3

The anti-clatter assembly includes a linkage mechanism including a spring in which the linkage mechanism effects a first spring force or a second spring force. The first spring force corresponds to the restraining force provided to the eccentric in the unbraked condition and the active state of the anti-clatter assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4563795A1Engine brake and engine with such an engine brake
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 DEERE & CO
  • EP4563795A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4563795A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4563795A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engine brake (60) for an engine (28) is disclosed. The engine brake having a rocker shaft (72) carrying rocker arms (70), the engine brake (60) comprising: an eccentric (74) mounted to the rocker shaft (72) and coupling one of the rocker arms (70) to the rocker shaft (72) to pivot eccentrically as the eccentric (74) pivots about the rocker shaft (72), the eccentric (74) being in a braked condition or an unbraked condition; an actuator (84) capable of pivoting the eccentric (74) about the rocker shaft (72) to move the eccentric (74) from the unbraked condition to the braked condition; and an anti-clatter assembly (100, 200, 300) movable from an active state associated with the unbraked position of the eccentric (74) to an inactive state associated with the braked condition of the eccentric (74), the anti-clatter assembly (100, 200, 300) providing to the eccentric (74) a restraining force in the active state and no force or a yielding force in the inactive state, the restraining force being greater than the yielding force, the restraining force being sufficient to impede the eccentric (74) from pivoting about the rocker shaft (72) in the unbraked condition and the yielding force being insufficient to impede pivoting of the eccentric (74) in the braked condition. Further, an engine with such an engine brake is disclosed.