Polymer Valve Spring Damper with Radial Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current valve spring systems in smaller, higher RPM engines experience oscillation issues leading to leakage and decreased efficiency, with existing damping solutions being costly, difficult to install, and requiring re-engineering of engine components.
Innovation Solution
A polymer-based damper with radial surface contact, utilizing rings or bands to provide compressive force and reduce oscillations, integrated with a valve stem seal to simplify assembly and reduce wear, while maintaining damping performance over time without redesigning engine components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steel dampers are used to reduce spring oscillation, then damping performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase due to point contact requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer damper made of viscoelastic material that can conform to the spring surface through radial expansion when compressed. This flexible polymer body provides continuous surface contact rather than point contact, eliminating the need for precise alignment and complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining effective damping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid steel to viscoelastic polymer, which allows the damper to deform and conform to the spring surface. This parameter change enables surface contact damping without complex assembly, resolving the contradiction between damping performance and assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If separate valve stem seals are used to prevent oil penetration, then sealing function is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve stem seal function with the polymer damper body by incorporating a seal member within the damper structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate seal components and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the sealing function to prevent lubricating oil from penetrating into the combustion chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer damper is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: damping spring oscillation through viscoelastic deformation and preventing oil penetration through the integrated seal member. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing.
3Reliability
If polymer dampers with radial force are used, then damping efficiency is improved through increased surface contact, but device complexity increases due to the band or spring element mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic mechanism where the band or spring element automatically adjusts the radial force applied to the polymer damper based on spring compression. When the spring is compressed, the band expands radially to increase contact pressure and damping force; when uncompressed, the radial force decreases. This dynamic adaptation improves damping efficiency without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element or band provides self-regulating radial force that automatically increases damping capacity when needed (during valve operation) without external control. The mechanism uses the spring's own motion to generate the necessary compressive force on the polymer damper, eliminating the need for external actuation systems.
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
The polymer damper effectively dampens valve spring oscillations, reducing wear and contamination, improving engine efficiency and longevity, and simplifying the assembly process by providing a cost-effective solution that maintains performance without re-engineering existing components.
Implementation Method 1
The applicant uses a polymer for the damper which is then held against the surface of the spring by radial force provided by a band or ring acting as a spring element
Implementation Method 2
a band or ring acting as a spring element
Data Source
AI summary
A damper is shown for damping the movements of a valve spring in an engine. The valve spring can be housed within the damper or the damper may be located inside of the valve spring. The damper is made from a suitable polymer and has one or more tabs or slots located radially to a central axis and one or more helical springs, rings or bands housed in the slots or between the tabs. The helical springs, rings or bands are located on the outer surface of the damper where the valve spring is housed within the damper. The cross section, number and location of the tabs, slots, helical springs, rings or bands can be adjusted depending on the particular application of the damper and the amount of damping that is desired for the particular application. The damper can also incorporate a hub or stem seal and ports for receiving oil.