Interchangeable Oil Control Valve for Engine Cylinder Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil control valve systems for internal combustion engines are costly to design and assemble, and require multiple specific valves for each cylinder configuration, leading to increased repair and replacement burdens and reduced engine performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a common or interchangeable oil control valve system that directs operation across multiple cylinders, minimizing design and assembly costs by using a single configuration for multiple engine cylinders, with each valve providing a common output pressure to respective switching mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple specific oil control valves are used for each cylinder configuration, then each cylinder receives dedicated control, but design and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single oil control valve configuration that can be used across multiple cylinder positions (cylinders 1-6) in the engine. This interchangeable valve design eliminates the need for multiple specific valves, reducing design and assembly costs while maintaining reliable control across all cylinders through standardized pressure delivery mechanisms
2Reliability
If multiple specific oil control valves are used for each cylinder configuration, then each cylinder has dedicated valve control, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal oil control valve design allows the same valve component to be installed in any cylinder position without requiring different configurations. This standardization significantly reduces assembly time as technicians no longer need to determine which specific valve goes to which cylinder, while maintaining precise control through consistent pressure delivery to switching mechanisms
3Reliability
If multiple specific oil control valves are used, then each cylinder has optimized control, but repair and replacement burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interchangeable oil control valve design means that all cylinders use the same valve type, so when a valve needs repair or replacement, the same replacement part is used regardless of which cylinder is affected. This universality simplifies repair procedures and inventory management, reducing the burden on maintenance personnel while maintaining optimized performance across all cylinders
4Reliability
If multiple specific oil control valves are used, then each cylinder configuration is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple different valve designs. Instead of having separate optimized valves for different cylinder configurations, a single universal valve design is used throughout the engine, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable performance through consistent pressure control delivered to all switching mechanisms
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 reduces design and assembly time, minimizes repair burdens, and enhances engine performance by allowing consistent pressure delivery across multiple cylinders, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The first oil control valve can be in operable pressure communication with a switching mechanism of a first switching rocker arm of the first engine cylinder and a switching mechanism of a first switching rocker arm of the second engine cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An oil control valve system according to one example of the present disclosure incorporates a common or interchangeable oil control valve at distinct locations of an engine to direct operation of switching mechanisms over sets of three cylinders. In another aspect of the present disclosure, four interchangeable oil control valves are used in a six-cylinder engine. Utilizing interchangeable oil control valves minimizes design costs, reduces assembly time, lessens repair or replacement burdens, and allows for enhanced engine performance.