Axially Slidable Sleeve Constant Groove Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing link sections for cam pieces in valve drives require complex and costly manufacturing processes due to variable groove depths in the run-out areas, increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
Designing a link section with a cylindrical body featuring thread-like sliding grooves that run in opposite directions and converge to a common outlet area with a constant groove depth, allowing for simpler manufacturing processes such as turning or milling, and potentially using formed sheet metal parts or deep-drawn components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If variable groove depth is used in the run-out area to allow actuator pin return, then the actuator pin can be pressed out of the sliding groove, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to complex milling processes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a variable groove depth that tapers to the outer diameter (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by maintaining a constant groove depth throughout the run-out area. The actuator pin is pressed out not by varying groove depth, but by the geometric convergence of the two sliding grooves in the common outlet area, which allows the pin to be ejected axially without requiring complex variable depth machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of groove depth from variable (in conventional design) to constant (in this invention). This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process while still achieving the functional requirement of pressing the actuator pin out of the groove through the constant depth grooves converging in the common outlet area.
2Ease of manufacture
If constant groove depth is used in the run-out area, then manufacturing costs and effort are reduced, but the actuator pin may collide with the end of the run-out area
Solution Approach 1:
The run-out area is segmented into two functional zones: a first run-out area where the actuator pin is pressed out of the sliding groove, and a second run-out area that extends to the outer diameter where the pin can safely retract. This segmentation allows the constant groove depth design to avoid collisions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator pin is pressed out of the sliding groove in the first run-out area before reaching the second run-out area. This preliminary action ensures that the pin is already ejected from the groove path before it could potentially collide with the end of the run-out area, preventing collisions while maintaining constant groove depth.
3Ease of operation
If complex milling processes are used to create variable groove depth, then the actuator pin can be pressed out smoothly, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the groove depth parameter from variable to constant, which allows the use of simpler and less costly manufacturing processes such as turning or forming operations instead of complex variable depth milling, while achieving smooth actuator pin ejection through the geometric design of the converging grooves in the common outlet area.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex milling to create variable groove depth for smooth pin ejection (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using constant groove depth with grooves that converge in the common outlet area. This inversion achieves smooth pin ejection through geometric convergence rather than depth variation, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 configuration reduces manufacturing costs and effort by eliminating the need for complex milling processes, enabling efficient axial displacement of the cam piece while ensuring smooth actuator pin return strokes without collisions.
Implementation Method 1
two thread-like sliding grooves are designed on the outer circumference of the link section, which serve to enclose at least one actuator pin of an actuating actuator assigned to the cam piece for the corresponding axial displacement of the cam piece to a base shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding-block guide section (11) for a cam piece (2) of a valve drive (1), comprising a cylindrical body (12), on the outer circumference of which there are formed two displacement grooves (13, 14) which run in the manner of threads and which serve in each case for receiving at least one actuator pin of a positioning actuator, which positioning actuator is assigned to the cam piece (2) and serves for the corresponding axial displacement of the cam piece (2) relative to a main shaft. The displacement grooves (13, 14) run oppositely to one another and are merged in a common run-out region (15). To now reduce the outlay in terms of production of the sliding-block guide section (11), the common run-out region (15) has a constant groove depth.