Rotatable Valve Stem Pallet for Switchable Roller Finger Follower
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Switchable roller finger followers are expensive to manufacture due to precise design requirements and have high mass moment of inertia, affecting valve train dynamics and experiencing excessive wear in valve stem pallets.
Innovation Solution
A switchable roller finger follower with a rotatable body as a valve stem pallet, featuring an outer body with aligned holes, an inner body with guides or washers, a lost motion spring, and a latching mechanism, which reduces manufacturing complexity and wear by allowing the rotatable body to pivot and guide the valve stem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed valve stem pallet is used in known switchable roller finger followers, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but excessive wear occurs in localized areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the valve stem pallet rotatable rather than fixed. The rotatable body (310) is mounted on the axle (302) and can rotate to distribute wear across its surface, preventing localized excessive wear while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated rotation mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise design requirements are applied to switchable roller finger followers, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the rotatable body (310), which combines the valve stem pallet function with the roller follower function. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the necessary precision through the unified rotational mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a high mass moment of inertia is present in switchable roller finger followers, then structural stability is improved, but valve train dynamics are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable body (310) mounted on the axle (302) creates a dynamic system with lower mass moment of inertia compared to a fixed pallet design. This reduction in inertia improves valve train dynamics and response while the rotational capability maintains structural stability during operation.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs and wear on the valve stem pallet, improving valve train dynamics by enabling a compact, rotatable design that distributes wear evenly.
Implementation Method 1
A lost motion spring is located between the inner body and the outer body
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable body is adapted to contact a valve stem
Implementation Method 3
Valve stem pallets, i.e. the portion of a switchable roller finger follower that engages an associated valve stem, are typically fixed in position and can experience excessive wear in localized areas
Data Source
AI summary
A switchable roller finger follower including an improved valve stem pallet formed by a rotatable body is disclosed. The switchable roller finger follower includes an axle extending through first aligned holes of an outer body and second aligned holes of an inner body to pivotally attach the inner body to the outer body at a valve stem end. The rotatable body is mounted on the axle and adapted to contact a valve stem.