Rocker Lever Valve Actuation to Minimize Tappet Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems that convert rotational movements into linear or translational movements for actuating valves, such as those in motor vehicles, suffer from unwanted transverse forces leading to increased wear and potential jamming, and require high production accuracy and one-sided mounting which can result in tilting or jamming of the valve tappet.
Innovation Solution
A valve design utilizing a rocker lever mounted for rotation about an axis, connected to a valve tappet via pushrods, with a preload device like a spiral spring to minimize transverse forces and prevent tilting, and featuring radial bearings and a toothed segment for efficient force transmission, allowing for accurate guidance and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gear transmission (crank drive or slotted link gear mechanism) is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement, then the valve can be actuated, but unwanted transverse forces are generated causing wear and reduced lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
A rocker lever is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive motor and the valve tappet. The rocker lever converts rotational movement into linear movement through a different mechanical principle that avoids generating harmful transverse forces, thereby protecting the valve tappet and disk from excessive wear while maintaining actuation functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If slotted link gear mechanisms are used with standard slot production accuracy, then the structure is simpler, but play at the valve disk and tappet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slotted link gear mechanism with a rocker lever-based transmission system. This substitution eliminates the need for precisely manufactured slots while achieving the same motion conversion function, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs without compromising the precision of valve actuation.
3Volume of moving object
If one-sided mounting of the valve tappet is used to save installation space, then the structure is more compact, but tilting or jamming of the valve tappet occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the valve tappet on one side to save space, the patent inverts the approach by using a rocker lever mechanism that can effectively transmit force in a compact arrangement without requiring one-sided mounting. The rocker lever's rotational motion about a fixed axis naturally prevents tilting and jamming while maintaining a space-efficient design.
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 design effectively minimizes transverse forces and tilting, enhancing the durability and accuracy of valve operation while maintaining a compact structure, and ensures the valve remains closed in case of drive motor failure, preventing unintended flow path opening.
Implementation Method 1
The preload device may be formed, for example, by a spring. In the simplest case, a spiral spring is provided
Implementation Method 2
a toothed segment, wherein the rocker lever is connected to the valve tappet by pushrods
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for opening up or closing off a flow path includes: a valve disk; a valve tappet having: a central axis, a first end region adjacent to the valve disk, and a second end region facing away from the valve disk; and a transmission device configured to transmit a rotational movement into a translational movement. The transmission device includes: a toothed segment, and a rocker lever mounted so as to be rotatable, about a rocker lever axis of rotation, by a drive plate via the toothed segment. The rocker lever is connected to the valve tappet by pushrods, the pushrods being mounted rotatably in relation to the rocker lever and the valve tappet.