Axially Overlapping Cam Element Valve Drive Train
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve drive train devices for internal combustion engines lack sufficient shifting flexibility and fuel efficiency due to limitations in axial length and mass of cam elements, which restrict higher engine speed operations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates axially movable cam elements with multiple cam parts and overlapping gate tracks, allowing for reduced axial length and mass while maintaining mechanical load capacity, enabling higher speed shifting operations and fuel savings through increased flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the axial length and mass of the cam element are increased to provide larger actuating elements, then the mechanical load capacity increases, but the axial length and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gate track is positioned within the axial projection of the cam part, creating a nested arrangement where the gate track is axially overlapped by the cam part. This nesting allows the gate track to be housed within the axial space already occupied by the cam part, eliminating the need for additional axial length while maintaining the mechanical load capacity provided by the larger actuating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing axial length to accommodate larger actuating elements, the invention positions the gate track in a different axial position that overlaps with the cam part's projection. This dimensional rearrangement allows the system to achieve higher mechanical load capacity through larger actuating elements without proportionally increasing the overall axial length of the cam element.
2Weight of moving object
If the axial length of the cam element is reduced, then the mass decreases, but the mechanical load capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the gate track within the axial projection of the cam part, the invention reduces the overall axial length of the cam element, which directly reduces its mass. However, the cam part itself is designed with sufficient size to provide the necessary mechanical load capacity, so the reduction in mass does not come at the expense of strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by ensuring that the cam part has the necessary size and strength characteristics in the regions where mechanical load is applied, while the gate track is positioned in an overlapping axial region. This allows different parts of the cam element to have optimized characteristics - the cam part provides load capacity while the overall compact design reduces mass.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cam parts and gate tracks are added to increase shifting flexibility, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the gate track with the axial projection of the cam part by positioning them in an overlapping axial relationship. This merging allows multiple cam parts and gate tracks to be integrated into a more compact structure, increasing shifting flexibility while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through shared spatial arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
In a valve drive train device for an internal combustion engine of motor vehicle, wherein at least one axially movably mounted cam element including at least one cam set with at least two cam parts and a shifting gate with at least two gate track for converting a rotary movement of the cam element into an axial shifting motion, at least one of the cam parts and the adjacent gate track are disposed in an at least partially axially overlapping relationship for reducing thereby the axial length and the mass of the cam element or permitting the use of a larger, highly durable, actuating mechanism.