Oscillating Motor Phaser Locking Play Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The locking play in oscillating motor adjusters for camshafts can be faulty due to a tolerance chain during assembly, leading to jamming of the locking bolt and locking disk, which affects operational reliability and noise levels.

Innovation Solution

An oscillating motor adjuster design that includes a rotor and stator with a spring-loaded locking bolt and locking disk, featuring a stop pin on the locking disk to set and maintain a precise locking play, eliminating the stator from the tolerance chain and allowing for unimpeded relative movement between the rotor and stator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a tolerance chain is used during assembly of the stator and rotor, then the assembly process is simplified, but the locking clearance becomes imprecise leading to jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidlocking clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stator from the tolerance chain by using a locking disc with a stop element that defines the end position of the rotor independently of the stator. The locking clearance is now determined solely by components in the rotor (locking disc, stop element, rotor vane) rather than by the cumulative tolerances of multiple components including the stator. This extraction maintains assembly simplicity while achieving precise locking clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the locking clearance is reduced to prevent jamming, then operational reliability improves, but the locking mechanism becomes more sensitive to tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidlocking clearance tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the tolerance chain into two independent groups: (1) stator-related components and (2) rotor-related components. By using the stop element on the locking disc to define the end position, the critical locking clearance is determined only by rotor components with fewer links in the tolerance chain. This segmentation reduces the cumulative tolerance effect while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the stator is included in the tolerance chain for positioning, then the assembly structure is simplified, but the locking clearance precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly structureVSAvoidlocking clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stator from the tolerance chain that determines locking clearance. The stop element on the locking disc defines the rotor's end position independently of the stator position. The stator is still part of the assembly structure for simplicity, but it is removed from the critical tolerance chain, achieving both simple assembly structure and precise locking clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enhances operational reliability by precisely adjusting the locking play, ensuring smooth operation and improved performance with reduced noise, allowing for efficient camshaft adjustment and compliance with emission standards.

Implementation Method 1

The locking device comprises a spring-loaded locking bolt and a locking disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a specific locking clearance must be maintained between a stator web and a rotor blade in a locked position. This locking clearance is necessary to prevent the locking bolt and locking disc from jamming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3158173B1Oscillating motor-type phaser for a camshaft
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HILITE GERMANY
  • EP3158173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3158173B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3158173B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an oscillating motor-type phaser (1) in which a locking device (1) is formed that comprises a spring-loaded locking bolt (23) and a locking disk (19) having a locking bore (26) for at least partially accommodating the locking bolt (23) in order to lock the stator (2) to the rotor (9) in an end position; the locking bolt (23) is accommodated in one of the blades (7'); when the blade (7') supporting the locking bolt (23) is locked to the adjacent link member (5), a locking play (31) providing mobility of the rotor (9) relative to the stator (2) is formed; the stator (2) is secured to the locking disk (19) using connecting elements (33). According to the invention, the locking disk (19) includes a stop element (32) in order to adjust the locked end position.