Hydraulic Lash Adjuster Stopper for Air Purging and Oil Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic lash adjusters face challenges in effectively purging air from the oil chamber while preventing excessive oil leakage, which can lead to inefficiencies in valve train operation.
Innovation Solution
A stopper mechanism is introduced that allows air to exit the second oil chamber while preventing oil leakage, comprising a cap and stem portion with a specific bore design that allows a needle for assembly but forms a tight seal to retain oil, with a diametric gap for air purging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a small diameter aperture is provided for air purging, then air can be purged from the second chamber, but oil leakage occurs through the same aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into two functional zones: an upper portion for air purging and a lower portion sealed by an O-ring for oil retention. This segmentation allows the single aperture to serve dual purposes without compromising either air venting or oil sealing
Solution Approach 2:
An O-ring seal element is introduced as an intermediary component within the aperture to differentiate its function. The O-ring acts as a mediator that allows air to pass through while blocking oil, resolving the contradiction between air purging and oil leakage prevention
2Loss of substance
If a float mechanism is used to block the air purge aperture, then oil leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float mechanism from prior art is extracted and replaced with a simpler O-ring seal solution. The O-ring passively provides sealing functionality without requiring the complex float assembly, achieving the same oil leakage prevention with significantly reduced structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a global float mechanism that moves to block the aperture, local quality is applied by placing a stationary O-ring seal at the critical sealing location within the aperture, providing targeted sealing where needed without overall structural complexity
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 ensures efficient air purging without excessive oil leakage, maintaining the hydraulic lash adjuster's functionality and extending its operational range by allowing necessary air release while maintaining oil retention.
Implementation Method 1
A stopper mechanism is introduced that allows air to exit the second oil chamber while preventing oil leakage
Implementation Method 2
comprising a cap and stem portion with a specific bore design that allows a needle for assembly but forms a tight seal to retain oil
Data Source
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AI summary
A body (30) and a plunger assembly (38) of an hydraulic lash adjuster (6) define a first chamber (40) and the lash adjuster (6) defines a second chamber (44) for supplying hydraulic fluid to the first chamber (40) through a valve (46) located between the first and second chambers (44). A stopper (72) is arranged in an opening into the second chamber (44) to restrain hydraulic fluid from exiting the second chamber (44) through the aperture (70) and to enable air to exit the second chamber (44). During the assembly of the hydraulic lash adjuster (6), prior to the stopper (72) being inserted in the aperture (70), a needle can be inserted into the second chamber (44) to open the valve during the adjuster pump up procedure.