Engine Brake Control Element for Exhaust Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion piston engines face challenges in achieving an effective engine brake through intermittent opening of exhaust valves due to spatial constraints and high structural complexity, which complicates the installation of hydraulic lash adjusting elements and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A control element is strategically positioned in a bridge associated with multiple or single exhaust valves, connected to a hydraulic lash adjusting element, allowing for variable operation based on oil pressure to activate or deactivate the additional cam, enabling selective opening of exhaust valves and simplifying the brake mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the additional cam is configured as a movable component pushed into or out of the base circle contour, then the engine brake function can be activated, but the structural complexity and cost increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camshaft hollow to allow dynamic insertion and removal of the additional cam during operation. This enables the engine brake function to be activated only when needed, rather than being permanently installed. The hollow camshaft design allows the additional cam to be pushed into the base circle contour for braking operation and removed when not needed, reducing structural complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the control element is arranged in the rocker arm, then the exhaust valves can be opened, but the spatial arrangement restricts opening only all exhaust valves simultaneously and complicates installation of hydraulic lash adjusting elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by providing individual control elements for each exhaust valve through the bridge structure. This allows selective opening of single or multiple exhaust valves independently, rather than forcing all valves to open simultaneously. The segmentation also simplifies the installation of hydraulic lash adjusting elements by providing dedicated control paths for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bridge as an intermediary component that connects the control elements to the exhaust valves. This bridge structure mediates between the control mechanism and the valves, enabling flexible control arrangements where control elements can be positioned optimally for each valve without spatial constraints in the rocker arm.
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 solution allows for a cost-effective and simplified engine brake operation by enabling intermittent opening of exhaust valves, reducing structural complexity and maintenance difficulties while integrating with hydraulic lash adjusting elements.
Implementation Method 1
the control element can be connected to the pressure oil circulation of the internal combustion piston engine
Implementation Method 2
A control piston is associated to the components of the hydraulic valve lash adjusting element, which control piston is loaded on one side by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion piston engine based on a four-stroke process, including a crankcase in which at least one cylinder/piston assembly is arranged, the piston being guided by a connecting rod connected to a crankshaft. At least one cylinder head closes the cylinder, each of whose intake and exhaust channels are controlled by at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve (13, 13a). The intake and exhaust valves (13, 13a) are actuable by a rocker arm (5) or a finger lever driven by a camshaft (1) through intake and exhaust cams (2). The rocker arms or finger levers are guided on at least one axle (6). A brake control device is provided which includes, in the region of the base circle of the exhaust cam (2), at least one additional cam (1) for an additional opening of at least one of the exhaust valves (13, 13a). A control element (12, 12a) is installed between the rocker arm (5) or finger lever and the exhaust valve or valves (13, 13a), which control element (12, 12a) can be connected to the pressurized oil circulation system of the internal combustion piston engine and whose length can be varied, so that the additional cam (3) is active during a braking operation and inactive during a pure engine operation. The control element (12) is arranged in a bridge (11) that is associated with a plurality of exhaust valves (13, 13a).