Engine Brake Control Cylinder with Integrated Spring-Back Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine brake control cylinders require a large amount of installation space and additional parts due to the use of an intermediate element with a preloaded spring and axial return spring for managing excessive exhaust pipe pressure, which complicates assembly and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The control cylinder incorporates elastic spacers or a prestressed spring within the cylindrical housing to allow relative movement between the piston rod and piston, enabling limited travel of the throttle valve to reduce exhaust pipe pressure without causing engine damage, with adjustable spring travel and a compressed air spring for consistent reopening force, and includes sealing and pressure regulation mechanisms to prevent contamination and maintain pressure limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an intermediate element with preloaded spring and axial return spring is used to manage excessive exhaust pipe pressure, then the engine brake valve can be opened back to limited extent, but the installation space and number of parts increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against excessive pressureVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the prestressed spring and axial return spring into a single integrated spring element that performs both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate intermediate elements and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the same protective function against excessive pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an intermediate element with preloaded spring and axial return spring is used, then the throttle valve can be opened back, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against excessive pressureVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple spring elements into a single integrated spring structure that provides both preloaded spring function and axial return spring function within a compact volume, significantly reducing the installation space required while maintaining the same pressure protection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated spring element is designed with nested functional zones where the prestressed spring portion and axial return spring portion are arranged concentrically or in a nested configuration, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall volume occupied by the pressure management mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If an intermediate element with preloaded spring and axial return spring is used, then the throttle valve can be opened back, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against excessive pressureVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spring elements and their mounting structures into a single integrated component that can be installed as one unit, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps for preloaded spring and axial return spring, thereby simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces the number of parts, minimizes installation space, and ensures a consistent engine braking effect while preventing engine damage from excessive pressure, with improved resilience and reduced risk of contamination, thus enhancing the control cylinder's efficiency and service life.

Implementation Method 1

The means for generating the springback comprise a prestressed spring which is arranged inside the cylindrical housing and which acts on the piston rod on the one hand and on the piston on the other hand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The means for generating the springback comprise a compressed air spring which is housed within the cylindrical housing and which acts on the piston rod on the one hand and on the piston on the other hand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a spring chamber for accommodating a return spring for the piston rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2721274B1Control cylinder for an engine brake having means for generating a spring-back
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP2721274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2721274B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP2721274B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a control cylinder (12) for an engine brake for providing a deceleration function by throttling the exhaust-gas flow at the outlet side of a turbocharger (2) of a vehicle engine (1), comprising a cylindrical housing (13) for accommodating a piston (14) with a piston rod (15), which piston serves for dividing the housing (13) into a spring chamber (16) for accommodating a restoring spring (17) for the piston rod (21) and a pressure chamber (18) for the generation of an actuating force by the piston (14) under the action of compressed air, wherein the piston (14) interacts with means for generating a spring-back, wherein the means for generating the spring-back are formed within the cylindrical housing (13) as elastic spacers between the piston (14) and piston rod (15).