Modular Guide Rail Asymmetric Sliding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide rails for chain drives in internal combustion engines experience vibrations and material inefficiencies due to the structural design, which is primarily suited for small chain drives and lacks direct connection to the engine block, leading to suboptimal chain support and increased material usage.
Innovation Solution
The guide rail is designed with sliding elements that have a predetermined position on the support, where the angle bisectors of the convex sliding surfaces extend at an acute angle relative to each other, allowing for better chain adaptation and reduced vibrations, and are produced as separate modular components for easier assembly and adaptation to different support profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sliding elements are arranged with parallel angle bisectors as in prior art, then the structure is simple and suitable for small chain drives, but major vibrations occur in larger chain drives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by orienting the angle bisectors of the two sliding elements at an acute angle relative to each other rather than parallel. This asymmetric arrangement creates divergent force application points that better adapt to the chain's running path, reducing vibrations in larger chain drives while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sliding elements are produced as separate modular components, then assembly flexibility and adaptability improve, but the number of components and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by producing sliding elements as separate modular components that can be attached to different support profiles. This allows the same sliding element design to be used across multiple applications and support types, improving adaptability while keeping each individual component simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing sliding elements that can be mounted on various support profiles through standardized attachment mechanisms. This universal design allows a single sliding element type to serve multiple functions and be adapted to different chain drive configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If sliding elements are attached separately to the support, then manufacturing and assembly flexibility improve, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing predetermined mounting positions and attachment features on the support structure before the sliding elements are installed. This pre-prepared configuration ensures that when sliding elements are attached separately, they connect to pre-defined reliable attachment points, maintaining connection reliability while preserving manufacturing and assembly flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide rail or a tensioning rail for a chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprises two separate sliding elements associated with the same span of the chain drive and arranged on a support, the sliding elements having a sliding surface that exhibits a convex curvature in the direction of movement of the chain. This kind of rail is to be improved with respect to its producibility and its tensioning and guiding effect. The angle bisectors of the two opening angles of the two convex sliding surfaces extend relative to each other at an angle other than 0°, the sliding elements being attached to the support as separate modular components. Kits for a guide rail and a tensioning rail as well as a chain drive are provided.